Is it a rip-off or I just don't get it?

[emadmoussa]

Having witnessed a number of horror cases of bendy EQ6 latitude bolts, I have finally succumbed to my fears and took the plunge for a the whole upgrade bolts set at £55 off Ebay. I previously shattered the plastic knob of one of the Azimuth bolts. Don't ask me how, it just happened. I asked around but couldn't find a normal replacement, so I went ahead and ordered the whole set like I mentioned.

To the best of my knowledge only Astro Development sells them. I don't think Modern Astronomy does anymore. Fair to say that Astro Development delivered very quickly and without any hassle.

Anyway, nothing exciting about a bunch of bolts really. But for £55 I think it's a bit too much. Unless my common sense is completely deranged and I can't see the difference, these bolts are not exactly a value for money. They seem like modified metal alloy with certain task in mind - purpose engineering as it were. On estimate they shouldn't cost more than £20.... I dare to say, I sense there's a level of monopolization over there...niche market monopolization per se?

Am I the only one who feels this way here? Or there's a good explanation?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I must say wonder why you bought them if the price seemed steep? Did you post a question here? Somebody is bound to know a good source.

[emadmoussa]

I must say wonder why you bought them if the price seemed steep? Did you post a question here? Somebody is bound to know a good source.

To be honest, I looked around and people seemed to recommend them. Then again, I'm not a DIY savvy. Well, anyway, I'm just unhappy about the monopoly or what I think it is.

[Bart]

Yep, that look outrageous. Best forget about it and enjoy your scope. We all have to do one of these every so often. Put it out of your head.

[Moonshane]

they look to be good quality and the dec ones have a machined end to prevent damage. this could be replicated yourself of course but as they are stainless (I think they are?) then this is a hard material to machine by hand neatly.

it's still OTT but a lot better than having to get out a bent/snapped bolt.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

It is of course difficult to see the difference between different types of steel, so these might look no different from standard ones, and yet considerably stronger. These sets are probably made in comparatively small numbers, and small batches cost more, and indeed monopoly might add to costs. I have some experience with machining parts, but the price of a lathe means that you need to make a lot of stuff before it pays its keep.

[Spikey]

There's threads on SGL (if you'll pardon the pun) that discuss how to replace the bolts for a few pounds.

If you're not DIY savvy as you put it, then you've done the right thing and will be better off buying the off-the-shelf system as a solution.

Compare the cost of bolts vs. cost of a new mount if you mangle it up with the old ones and it starts to look value for money

[emadmoussa]

There's threads on SGL (if you'll pardon the pun) that discuss how to replace the bolts for a few pounds.

If you're not DIY savvy as you put it, then you've done the right thing and will be better off buying the off-the-shelf system as a solution.

Compare the cost of bolts vs. cost of a new mount if you mangle it up with the old ones and it starts to look value for money

Yes, I 'm trying to look at this way. Well..what the hec!!!

[Earl]

I just picked up a set, they are not cheap, but then neither is the 1k mount they are going in.....

[Moonshane]

as someone once said in here 'with good quality, you only cry once'.

[Tinker1947]

I have just ordered 10m X 100mm Stainless Steel bolts with a Allen Key head, plus 3 5m X 20mm for the side thrust washers on the NEQ6 cost £10.20 with VAT and Postage.....

[DirkSteele]

That certainly sounds extraordinarily expensive, but if there really is super normal profit being made on these, market forces should see new entrants produce competing products until the price comes down to a more reasonable level. I must admit at £55 a pop, I am thinking about making them!

In all seriousness though, as has already been stated, with good quality, the pain is only at the beginning.

[Luke]

There have been a few bits and bobs I've bought that seemed very expensive for what they were. But in the end I've been glad I got them. Dew heaters was one example. When everything is iced over and my scope is still clear as a bell, it seems like money well spent

[Gonzo]

Well, some know how to milk the system in the Astronomy world....

[Cath]

I really can't see how it would cost anything like £55 to machine 4 or 5 bolts. I know it's money well spent but even so, someone is definitely taking the mickey.

[crashtestdummy]

If people will pay that price then people will charge that price

[majapala]

Surely there is a responsibility on Skywatcher to put decent bolts in now that it's common knowledge that the ones they provide with the (not cheap) mount are less than satisfactory?

[Gonzo]

Look on the sticker, it says where it's made ....

Not saying it's always the case, but... I've seen many threads about those bendy bolts on this forum.

My EQ1 it not better

[Peter Drew]

At the risk of repeating an earlier post I made, it's not the adjusting bolts that are at fault, it's the design of the cam that they operate on at our latitude, and the tightness of the pivot

[emadmoussa]

At the risk of repeating an earlier post I made, it's not the adjusting bolts that are at fault, it's the design of the cam that they operate on at our latitude, and the tightness of the pivot

Agreed. It seems that shifting the entire British Isles down south will be easier than convincing the Chinese manufacturer to reconsider their design.

[majapala]

Don't they know that we have telescopes, that need mounting, here in the uk? Perhaps someone should tell them!

[JamesF]

ISTR that Skywatcher's view is that the bolts shouldn't bend in normal use and furthermore that if they do bend, it's better that they should have done than some more expensive part of the mount be damaged.

None of which changes the fact that it's a poor design for 50 degrees or more of latitude.

James

[foundaplanet]

Blimey, if I could buy the odd replacement knob with a good quality steel thread on it for under 15 quid on it the odd time I need to replace one on my machinery I would be made up.

I would think there will be some chap knocking these up to order as they are obviously a specialised product and the bloke will need to eat. Then there will be the other bloke who needs to pay the rent and rates the electric, national insurance contributions and...... Oh, how we have been spoilt by China....

[ronin]

The bolts do not appear out of no-where. Costs will have to cover several things:

Buying the threaded rod in the first place, if they went to get it then fuel and a contribution towards keeping the vehical on the road (insurance, road tax, fuel, servicing, drivers time)

Then 10 minutes to cut to the desired length.

Then mount each section in a lathe, machine each bit to required shape, check that the machined end can still go into the female threaded section (they don't come out clean, normally have to run something along to clean it up - thats a bit more time).

Simply gluing each piece into a knob for you to adjust it takes 5-10 minutes, then cost of the plastic knob and although small the glue.

The lathe will run on electricity and that needs covering, throw in a bit to cover wear and tear on tools, eventually they will give up and need replacing. Protective eyewear is required - last I knew they were not handed out free.

Workshop requires payment of council tax, so that has to be in there.

It will not take just 10 minutes to knock up a set, 30-40 minutes if they know what to do, garage round here that is reasonable charges at £60 an hour.

Add all possible costs up add on half an hours time and then simply they probably want to make a profit so say 20% on top.

If registered for VAT they have to add 20% on top again.

It adds up and if running a business EVERYTHING has to be taken into account and charged for, or they go out of business and then these are not available to anyone until the next person comes along and finds they have to charge £70 for them in order to get by.

[foundaplanet]

The bolts do not appear out of no-where. Costs will have to cover several things:

Buying the threaded rod in the first place, if they went to get it then fuel and a contribution towards keeping the vehical on the road (insurance, road tax, fuel, servicing, drivers time)

Then 10 minutes to cut to the desired length.

Then mount each section in a lathe, machine each bit to required shape, check that the machined end can still go into the female threaded section (they don't come out clean, normally have to run something along to clean it up - thats a bit more time).

Simply gluing each piece into a knob for you to adjust it takes 5-10 minutes, then cost of the plastic knob and although small the glue.

The lathe will run on electricity and that needs covering, throw in a bit to cover wear and tear on tools, eventually they will give up and need replacing. Protective eyewear is required - last I knew they were not handed out free.

Workshop requires payment of council tax, so that has to be in there.

It will not take just 10 minutes to knock up a set, 30-40 minutes if they know what to do, garage round here that is reasonable charges at £60 an hour.

Add all possible costs up add on half an hours time and then simply they probably want to make a profit so say 20% on top.

If registered for VAT they have to add 20% on top again.

It adds up and if running a business EVERYTHING has to be taken into account and charged for, or they go out of business and then these are not available to anyone until the next person comes along and finds they have to charge £70 for them in order to get by.

Yes all in all I reckon they are very resonable for a hand made product...