heliumstar Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Is anyone attending this in two weeks time? I am thinking of attending but what I want to know how substantial are discounts from vendors there. Any insight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 I've been before and hope to get there this year. I recall getting discounts of around 10% on normal prices on some things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightware2 Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Hi heliumstar, Full disclosure - I am a vendor - husband and I will be attending IAS from the US. Our discount will be a shade higher than 10%. Please introduce yourself if you come by our stand (#9). I always enjoy meeting fellow astronomers at these shows! - Phyllis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSRobot Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Yep. Going on the Friday. 10am for the Onion talk I think then a browse at astro kit and a coffee. Love the astromedia stuff and space rocks for Christmas shopping. Big wad of cash too ??. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie85 Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I'll be there on Saturday. Went last year and as said above there is about a 10% discount. There may be the odd item that is something of a special that may be reduced more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 I have bought entry and a talks ticket for the Friday. I always enjoyed in previous years, and it's only an hour or so journey for me. Dissapointingly a few weeks ago I noticed that quite a few of the vendor stalls were still empty on the plan of the main exhibition hall. Now they're only showing the floor plan of the foyer. I hope that doesn't mean they've shrunk the exhibition. Anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSRobot Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 18 hours ago, Ouroboros said: I have bought entry and a talks ticket for the Friday. I always enjoyed in previous years, and it's only an hour or so journey for me. Dissapointingly a few weeks ago I noticed that quite a few of the vendor stalls were still empty on the plan of the main exhibition hall. Now they're only showing the floor plan of the foyer. I hope that doesn't mean they've shrunk the exhibition. Anyone know? Seen the floor plan missing too. Still, there will be plenty to see I reckon and all the talks too. A coffee and lunch place help to consider things before make sudden purchases ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Slade Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I shall be there on the Saturday. Have a ticket for the Astrophotography talk. I'm also planning to prowl the floor to see if there are any "serious" mounts on show - I'm thinking of upgrading and I'd like to get a sense of what I'm letting myself in for. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSRobot Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 4 hours ago, Big Jim Slade said: I shall be there on the Saturday. Have a ticket for the Astrophotography talk. I'm also planning to prowl the floor to see if there are any "serious" mounts on show - I'm thinking of upgrading and I'd like to get a sense of what I'm letting myself in for. ? Saw some very serious huge mounts on display last year. OMG so big they were. Way out of my league for grab and go. Still fascinating to look at and in shiny colors too ? Hope the chocolate stand is there too this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Slade Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 37 minutes ago, TSRobot said: Hope the chocolate stand is there too this year. I suspect that will be a greater danger to my wallet. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie85 Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 On 08/10/2018 at 13:17, Big Jim Slade said: I shall be there on the Saturday. Have a ticket for the Astrophotography talk. I went to that talk last year. It was very pixinsight heavy. It may be different this year, but I've decided to save my money as I use photoshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSRobot Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Back from IAS now. Had a good chat with the Coventry Astro society so think i'll go along for a meet tonight. Found the filter i wanted at a good price from Rother Valley too. Phew the weather is blowy today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveGarland Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I've just got back. It did seem to me that it's getting a little smaller each year. Does anyone else feel that? I can't help feeling a little disappointed ? I did get a discount on a power pack though so hey ho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saganite Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Hi Dave, I too have just returned and I must confess I have seen it better attended before, but then it is a week day ,so hopefully better tomorrow for all those who have put in the effort to create a show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSRobot Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Absolutely it's a bit small this year. Some of the listed stands weren't there. Wanted to speak to Opticron, but no sign. Maybe it's the weather. Rother Valley were just so fabulously helpful. Did anyone notice that the coffee (a latte) tasted a bit off?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfox1971 Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I bought a ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro from widescreen centre saving over £120 also a zwo efw 8x1.25 or 7x36mm filter wheel saving £30 i see its men't to have a reliable Japanese steeper motor but strange thing is sticker on motor says china.Anyway my debit card has now done a runner.But i need filters (come back.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I went today. I enjoyed it as usual. I had the impression there were more offers on - 10-20% off - that sort of thing. I was very tempted once or twice, but I like to do more research before spending serious money. In fact I wished I'd done some research before going because I think there are some seriously good offers. Personally I prefer such shows less crowded. That's not good for the suppliers of course though. I went to a very nice talk given by Peter Jenkins on astrophotography. Enthused me again toward getting kitted out for mono narrow band. Pity the acoustics are so poor there. They really need to get that sort. Once again the post code given on the website took my satnav to the wrong place. Despite them saying it is corrected from last year's wrong one. It was wrong the year before too. I mean ... for goodness sake! How difficult can that be to get right? Fortunately I can read a map. One of the security people told me the post code for the main gate is CV8 2TA. No promises on that, I haven't checked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKB Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 45 minutes ago, Ouroboros said: Fortunately I can read a map. One of the security people told me the post code for the main gate is CV8 2TA. No promises on that, I haven't checked it. I’ve found that following the copious signs to the National Agricultural College works a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 13 minutes ago, AKB said: I’ve found that following the copious signs to the National Agricultural College works a treat. That'll be why the event organisers believe they don't need to display the correct postcode directions on their website.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I thought it was very empty and no chocolate stand ? Fewer vendors and very few people. Many of the vendors seemed to have bought less stuff as well. Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKB Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 43 minutes ago, obrazell said: no chocolate stand ...a very fair point, and one definitely against them. Tony _____________ PS: on the plus side there was that marvellous lady collecting donations for Marie Curie. She was awarded a BEM last year (the lady, not Marie Curie) and also now will have a guide dog named after her! Regrettably, I failed to ask her name!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highburymark Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 No provided minibus from Coventry station this year - had to get taxi. Once we got there, the signage to the show was hopeless - took me at least half an hour of walking around to find the right hall and the entrance. Smaller show than previous years, but was able to get the gear I wanted from Widescreen Centre and RVO - I want to support these shows so I hope it can keep going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I thought the show was enjoyable but there definitely seemed to be less stands and less visitors although the poor weather conditions could have contributed to the latter. I did have a nice chat to a couple of SGL members while there which added a lot to the day I was sorely tempted by a Skywatcher Esprit 152 triplet for what seemed to be a really good price but at the last minute I remembered that a) I don't have a mount that would do it justice and b) divorce is messy and expensive In the end I behaved myself and left empty handed Some interesting new eyepiece lines on the Astroshop EU stand I noticed, branded Omegon: The Panorama II 100 degree range: https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/omegon-panorama-ii-2-21mm-eyepiece/p,53651 The 21mm had a show price of £180.00 ! The Oberon 82 degree range: https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/omegon-eyepiece-oberon-32mm-2-/p,52940 The 32mm Oberon is the 1st at that focal length with an 82 degree AFoV that I've seen and was just £150.00 at the show. Note that the website states " suitable for telescopes from f6 " which is interesting wording !. The 100 degree Panorama II's state f4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 2 hours ago, Highburymark said: No provided minibus from Coventry station this year - had to get taxi. Once we got there, the signage to the show was hopeless - took me at least half an hour of walking around to find the right hall and the entrance. Smaller show than previous years, but was able to get the gear I wanted from Widescreen Centre and RVO - I want to support these shows so I hope it can keep going. My bold - ditto. It's almost the only opportunity to see kit for real and not on the web. I also see stuff I didn't know existed. It would be a great pity if the show folded. But suppliers can't justify the expense unless they see a return either at the exhibition or in subsequent orders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, John said: I thought the show was enjoyable but there definitely seemed to be less stands and less visitors although the poor weather conditions could have contributed to the latter. I did have a nice chat to a couple of SGL members while there which added a lot to the day I was sorely tempted by a Skywatcher Esprit 152 triplet for what seemed to be a really good price but at the last minute I remembered that a) I don't have a mount that would do it justice and b) divorce is messy and expensive In the end I behaved myself and left empty handed 4 Ah, if I had known you were there today John I might have made the effort to drive around the corner and go. We umm'd and arrrr'd about setting off for Lucksall until midday, then decided it was too windy for towing the caravan. Probably just drive down for the day tomorrow I think. What price was the Esprit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.