Part 10
Another area that I think would flourish with price reductions is the sale of APO refractors. Currently, most APO’s sell for 5 to 6 times the cost of an equivalent size achromatic. While I may not completely appreciate the time and labor needed to manufacture an APO, I would think that once the production process is established, it would be possible to manufacture in the quantities needed to increase sales and reduce costs. When I started out on my quest, I identified the Televue 102 as being one of the telescopes I was most interested in. However, if I were now seeking a telescope primarily for planetary and lunar observation, I would purchase a Russian made mak-newt or mak-cassegrain. The reason: same weight, same optical qualities, and half the price. (The 5” INTES M503 on a Televue Gibraltar with SkyTour is priced $500 less than the TV102 by itself!) Given that APO refractor manufacturers now have real competition, I hope this will lead to more realistic pricing.
It is my understanding that Synta, a Chinese company, is now manufacturing a lot of entry-level equipment. If the review of their EQ6 mount in the October issue of Sky and Telescope is any indication, they could, with some improved quality, take a big bite out of the marketplace. They appear to be mass-producing acceptable telescopes, mounts, and eyepieces. As their products gain wider acceptance I would encourage them to listen to customer feedback and concentrate on quality. For example, the EQ6 has the potential to become, with some refinement, a cost-effective competitor to Losmandy mounts. Consequently, the number of products available to us not only increases choice, through competition it can make things more affordable.
As someone who has chronicled his problems navigating the night sky, I would also encourage vendors to include models with digital setting circles. For example, if Orion marketed their 8” SkyView Pro reflector with DSC, it would have created a realistic alternative for me when I was making my selection. DSC can help newbies learn to navigate the night sky and can provide increased satisfaction in their initial viewing experience; therefore I don’t know why so few vendors include them as a built in, optional feature.
Finally, I hope that as the digital camera market expands, there will be increased competition and reduced prices for CCD technology. My 3-megapixel camera cost $350 and prices continue to fall. Hopefully, as component prices drop, entry-level CCD’s will become more affordable.
Well, those of my thoughts. I hope that my experience in deciding on which telescope to buy will be helpful to others with similar questions that visit this forum. Thanks for listening and thanks to Astromart and Anacortes for making this site available.
Another area that I think would flourish with price reductions is the sale of APO refractors. Currently, most APO’s sell for 5 to 6 times the cost of an equivalent size achromatic. While I may not completely appreciate the time and labor needed to manufacture an APO, I would think that once the production process is established, it would be possible to manufacture in the quantities needed to increase sales and reduce costs. When I started out on my quest, I identified the Televue 102 as being one of the telescopes I was most interested in. However, if I were now seeking a telescope primarily for planetary and lunar observation, I would purchase a Russian made mak-newt or mak-cassegrain. The reason: same weight, same optical qualities, and half the price. (The 5” INTES M503 on a Televue Gibraltar with SkyTour is priced $500 less than the TV102 by itself!) Given that APO refractor manufacturers now have real competition, I hope this will lead to more realistic pricing.
It is my understanding that Synta, a Chinese company, is now manufacturing a lot of entry-level equipment. If the review of their EQ6 mount in the October issue of Sky and Telescope is any indication, they could, with some improved quality, take a big bite out of the marketplace. They appear to be mass-producing acceptable telescopes, mounts, and eyepieces. As their products gain wider acceptance I would encourage them to listen to customer feedback and concentrate on quality. For example, the EQ6 has the potential to become, with some refinement, a cost-effective competitor to Losmandy mounts. Consequently, the number of products available to us not only increases choice, through competition it can make things more affordable.
As someone who has chronicled his problems navigating the night sky, I would also encourage vendors to include models with digital setting circles. For example, if Orion marketed their 8” SkyView Pro reflector with DSC, it would have created a realistic alternative for me when I was making my selection. DSC can help newbies learn to navigate the night sky and can provide increased satisfaction in their initial viewing experience; therefore I don’t know why so few vendors include them as a built in, optional feature.
Finally, I hope that as the digital camera market expands, there will be increased competition and reduced prices for CCD technology. My 3-megapixel camera cost $350 and prices continue to fall. Hopefully, as component prices drop, entry-level CCD’s will become more affordable.
Well, those of my thoughts. I hope that my experience in deciding on which telescope to buy will be helpful to others with similar questions that visit this forum. Thanks for listening and thanks to Astromart and Anacortes for making this site available.
