Posts Made By: James Runsdorf

Robert Howe said:

Hi all

I'm travelling to Hawaii to photograph the upcoming Mercury transit. What I intend to take is a Traveler and a Coronado Maxscope in the two compartments of the Traveler's case, having shipped my mount out by DHL and having my cameras in my luggage. Has anyone travelled with a telescope since the recent terror plot became known?

My intended setup is shown in the photo, albeit with a TV85 instead of a Traveler.

Robert Howe

Greg Nowell said:

I just read the "New Apos" thread and was struck that maybe many of the threads in this particular sub-forum should be moved down to "religion."

(I do own two refractors)

OK, that's all....

(ducking and covering and running out the door)

GN

Jim Wayda said:

Jim:

Just before Christmas I took my Traveler to Australia. This was "our" third trip Down Under, but the first time I brought it in a Pelican 1510 (with wheels), which I'd bought because I'd grown tired of carrying the scope through endless corridors in airports. I'd never had problems before, but the woman at the check-in counter demanded that I weigh the bag. It was several pounds over the limit. I asked to see a manager, who fortunately allowed me to carry it on. I was pretty nervous, though. On the return trip, about 10 days after the Underwear Bomber episode, I was very concerned about security. The Australian version of TSA, though, were terrific. They were thorough (which I appreciated!) and made me remove the scope from the case, etc., but I had no
problems. By the way, despite the full-ish moon, I had some nice 3am views of the Southern Milky Way and Mars.

Best,
Jim



Has anyone air-traveled with a small refractor like a TV85 or an Astro-Physics Traveler, or a scope of like size that is transported as "carry-on" baggage? If so, what did you experience from the TSA? Did they scrutinize and paw the scope? Did they deny the scope as a carry-on? I need to know what to expect before I travel.

Thanks,

-jim

Tinchi Lee said:

I've been on AM for almost nine years, but recently two (near-)deals didn't go down as expected:

1. A few months ago a well-known individual (I guess you can call him the Ed Ting or Todd Gross of a certain specialty observing community) but relative AM newbie posted a setup for sale at a good price. I was the first in line to respond with the usual "I'll take it" and he acknowledged my "first-in-line-ness" and confirmed the deal. Within three hours of my first message, he first emailed me saying that there are other people interested, then another email demanding immediate payment, and the third one saying the deal was off because I did not respond promptly. Problem is, it's a weekday morning and I was in an off-site meeting, therefore cannot respond immediately. I'd have thought a firm "I'll take it" from a long-term AMarter would have bought me a few hours to send payment.

2. Recently another individual posted a scope for sale. I sent him my usual "I'll take it" and he also acknowledged me being the first responder. A day later he notified me that the scope is sold.

Since no transaction was made in either case, I did not leave any feedback and I will not name any names.

I always thought "I'll take it" would have secured the deal unless the prospective buyer drops out of radar for a few days. Have I been mistaken all along???

~ AstroMart LLC~ said:

Dear Herb,

I celebrate 50 years in astronomy next year, and have the 3rd largest collection of telescopes and eyepieces that exists globally, numbering more than 2,000 eyepieces and just over 240 telescopes, with the focus being on rare, antique, exotica and exceptional. My systems range from units worth only a few hundred dollars (say as example a Pentax 1986 60mm refractor) to the largest visual optical telescope in Australia, a 60 inch unit in a fully robotic observatory that performs visual and imaging work - an investment of just under US$ 800k for this single system.

Am I very very well known, as well known as anyone globally in astronomy. You have made a very very very very very big error in your assessment of myself and this matter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why tell you this - merely to let you know that you have made a very very very powerful enemy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may have your opinion, but I already have over 100 of the most senior astronomy personnel (in three days) that are already being lead by myself & also one of the major & most senior US based specialists in astronomy, and being one of the world's wealthiest businessmen (major household name) he is leading the charge with creating an immediate Class Action against you and your business. He has assembled a team within one of his businesses to lead this issue, as he is a lot more cross than I am.

No - it's not about the money, he is worth billions, and I am worth mny many millions - money - that's never an issue for me or for Bill - it's about the behaviour, so we do not care a damn for the cash, we want you to be made a major major major example of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not here to argue with you, as you are well known as being very very belidgerant, you should see what is being written about you in the internet press pages, it would make you very very upset.

You are welcome to tell me all the crap about your terms, I have heard all this before. I am not intersted in this puffery.

What you have done is blatantly illegal, as the terms were not what they are today when I signed up. You should be aware of this have have received better legal guidance.

I paid consideration for a lifetime contract, and you are in breach of this contract - full stop - no discussion.

I do not care what you say in your defence, and I am not here to negotiate with you for a better deal for an Astromart account - that ship sailed last Friday.

In short I am very very very very very very very very upset by your exceptional and extraordinary action and totally ungentlemanly behaviour - we are going to make a major example of you - one that we will publish the result of in the world's leading trade press, no - not just S&T, I will pay for full page ads to cover the result in all the global trade media, personally. As stated it's not a money thing, you hae crossed a line, one that will will rue for a long long long long time !!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to make a major global example of you, your behaviour is more than just poor, it is absolutely appalling.

In the astronomy industry people behave with a level of gentlemanliness that is appropriate, and you have smashed this code of conduct with your unbelievably poor behaviour.

You deserve to have every bit of the criticism that is being levied globally against you, and I will expend an awful lot more than a paltry US$ 12 or US$ 15, or whatever it is that you currently ask for, as you can obviously change your mind "just like that" and increase, decrease, whatever - your fee at your own personal whim.

I am going to spend hundreds and hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars in chasing you down and convincing people that I know that they should not have any dealings with you - or your business.

I AM going to do you major major personal & business damage, let me absolutely guarantee you of this as fact !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I already have a major BOYCOTT underway, and this isn't merely a local issue, this is global, and will grow to a major level with a week or two.

Expect to hear more than just a bit more from this issue, we intend to make the whole world see what type of person you are.

I will NOT be renewing my Astromart membership, and have already deleted from my favourites list.

You WILL be hearing further, a lot lot lot more.

I WILL be seeing you in court !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are preparing our legals at this time and you WILL be served shortly.

ASS HOLE
Melbourne,
Australia.