Retail outlets in Herts / Beds / Bucks or Essex

[malc-c]

I'm based in Stevenage Hertfordshire. Other than GreenWhich, could anyone suggest other retail outlets for telescopes within a 60 mile radius (Essex, Beds, Bucks area) who carry decent stocks

Thanks

Malcolm

[Watcher]

Malcolm,

Maybe just outside of that radius is Scopes n Skies at Witchford, near Ely. I went there yesterday and was very impressed by the service and the large showroom although it's a little confusing as they seem to have three websites for the same shop, see The Astronomy & Nature Centre. From you it's an easy trip up the A10 (via the M11 and A14 to avoid central Cambridge). It's mostly national speed limit all the way and you can also then drive to Ely to have a look around.

Other than that I'm not aware of any.

Have you thought about joining the Letchworth and District AS? I haven't yet, must get around to it.

[Watcher]

... and my other half just told me that Digital Depot in Stevenage Old Twon sell some Celestron stuff. Just checked their website and they have a small selection of scopes.

[CGolder]

Scopes N skies have been great and i received some sound advice as a newbie, the showroom is good and the advice sound.

try to go on a saturday as the guy i spoke too works on sat and he is a good fella.

[Capricorn]

Scopes and Skies (Pulsar/Astro Engineering) fall inside the 60 mile radius.

Up at Ely, just outside actually.

A1 to Baldock, A505 to Royston, A10 to Cambridge, M11 round Cambridge, A14 along top of Cambridge, A10 up to Ely.

Think you turn left at the A142 towards Witchford (similar) then into the trading estate. Say half mile out along the A142.

They have a good stock in the shop, of course it depends on what you want. A specialist scope probably not in, a few eyepieces then yes.

Small place at Chatteris but think internet only unless you ring and arrange. AstroShop, Astronomical Accessories, Binoculars and Telescopes

After that it is Wide Screen Center in London or others surrounding London. Think one in Weybridge area and one in Dorking. Others just don't recall the details.

[Watcher]

What I will say about Scopes and Skies is to look at their website before going as while there's lots of stock they don't put price labels on. This is probably because they have to keep changing them and there are hundreds of bits in glass cabinets there and it would be a nightmare to do.

[Watcher]

... also look at the Pulsar website too as they sell different lines to Scopes and Skies, albeit in the same shop.

[malc-c]

Guys thanks for the info - If the shop in Ely is that good then it's worth making the effort to go and have a look.

I have an appointment on Saturday at GreenWitch to have a look, but the have told me that one of they scopes I'm interested in (C6-SGT) is one they can get but don't carry.

Have you thought about joining the Letchworth and District AS? I haven't yet, must get around to it

I was asked that in another thread - basically I've been a member of the Letchworth & District AS (honorary membership for services rendered in getting their observatory project off the ground) for the past 25 years. I help found the Welwyn & Hatfield group in 1984, which then merged with the North Herts AA to form the Sevenage & Disrtict AS around 6 months later. This was reformed into the LDAS a year later as a condition of siting the observatory at Standalone Farm. I dropped out of meetings after serving on the committee for around 8 years, as my interests changed and the kids came along.

I'm the one in the BT orange jacket in this picture

http://www.ldas.org.uk/observatory/observatory.html

[dc509]

I can vouch for Green witch - I've bought lots from them. they don't carry a huge stock in the "shop" but they can get most things quickly and Lee is very knowledgeable.

d

[malc-c]

I can vouch for Green witch - I've bought lots from them. they don't carry a huge stock in the "shop" but they can get most things quickly and Lee is very knowledgeable.

d

Thanks for that.. Regret that Lee is away this weekend, so I'll be meeting up with Neill. Looking forward to it, and hopefully will either come back with a decent scope or place the order...

I had a look in Digital depot (as I live in Stevenage) and regretfully didn't have what I'm looking for.

Can't wait for Saturday