EQ6's depreciation phenomenal

[palebluedot]

I just watched an 18 month old EQ6 Synscan +12v adapter, go for £780 ish (having had a little nibble myself). An NEQ6 with all the trimmings is currently £927 from FLO.

Are these things indestructible? What should people be looking out for when buying a second hand EQ6. Could a drop be enough to ruin the accuracy of tracking? Do they wear? Or is it that in this country they hardly see the light of night?

[Bizibilder]

Most kit used by amateur astronomers is lovingly cared for and virtually "as new" even when several years old. That is one of the reasons depreciation is not so great as, say, a car. Apart from the odd surface scratches - usually on the counterbalance shaft - mounts are generally in very good condition.

BUT beware where you buy from - most proper astro sites are OK (especially if the seller has been around for a while and the kit is "known") but some stuff on a well known auction site may be a bit iffy.

[palebluedot]

Might as well buy new then, clearly