Bloated American optical equipement

I have noticed that Tel Vue has come out with a new line of
ethos eyepieces and like their trade mark name for quality
they have produced another over priced eye candy. Take a look a most of the astronomy equipment items produced in this country and most of them are way over priced. We have moved most of our manufacturing capability oversees and the
foreign manufactures are mass producing optics albiet at a reduced quality for sale by the boat loads in this country.
Why cant reputable manufactures make good quality low cost
telescopes, optics eyepieces and mounts that will not cost an arm and a leg to make. Why is it that after nearly 400 years refractors still cost more per in than any other scope. Why hasnt anyone come up with a low cost and practical way to mass produce a good quality refractor
for let say 100 per inch. It seems like american inginuity
has been replaced with american niche and high dollar low
volume products.

Sad

Edward:

I suggest taking this over to S.A.A. where they still respond to such posts. Most of us were over there once but wised up and we don't bite the hook anymore.

Jon

Edward Dean said:

I have noticed that Tel Vue has come out with a new line of
ethos eyepieces and like their trade mark name for quality
they have produced another over priced eye candy.

You haven't been doing this for very long, have you? Today's equipment is INSANELY reasonably priced compared to the gear a few decades ago. Don't like or can't afford the Ethos? Don't buy it. If TV doesn't sell enough of em to make a profit, they won't offer 'em for sale anymore. That's called the Free Market.

If you can't find good and inexpensive equipment today, you are not lookin' very hard.

... but you do not need "Bloated American optical equipement" to enjoy the night sky. Settle for less and be happy with less and you will take your observing to a new level.

I have an 80mmED refractor which I paid $250 for. That's $80 per inch and I think it's a hell of a good scope compared with what you could get 400 years ago.

"It is not the man who has little, but he who desires more, that is poor."
Seneca

"over priced"? Now that's an interesting concept, but one that needn't worry you. All you've got to do is find equipment of equal or better quality for less money and buy it instead, and you won't need to care what "Tel Vue" charges any more. When you look at AP's waiting list, how can you say they are "over priced"?

Why is it that after nearly 400 years refractors still cost more per in than any other scope.



Cause refractors are icky, and who needs one.

My vote goes with Jon, Uncle Rod, etal. I hesitate to respond to nonesense like this as I hate to encourage it, but this time I will, only to support the people on this site who really know quality and what it costs. If you don't care about this hobby go to a department store, buy a $50 500x refractor, and leave the rest of us to suffer with our "bloated American optical equipment".

I will also ad that "price" sometimes depends on your perspective. If I buy a nagler for $400, use it for 3 years, and then sell it for maybe 300ish, haven't I got a great deal? I've spend 3 yeas enjoying the heavens with splendid views!

I consider the purchase of my scopes and eyepieces more as a lease, since the resale value on QUALITY equipment is so high.

The line of Tele Vue Plossls are extremely well made and very reasonably priced. If you don't like the Ethos, buy the Plossl.

Philip