Comments on: How much would you pay for these telescopes?

By: Starrysky

Starrysky — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:55:59 +0000

Not much to me, as I have the 25 inch Obsession and a lot of nice Televue eye lenses, and a Ozypowski equatorial platform drive, which cost me $13,500. It is more than big enough.
For those larger scopes, you need a fixed position and a building to go around them, computer to do some good planning, and a few nice cameras for it. That might add $15K to any purchase.
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Fifty-five years of amateur astronomy

By: Larry454

Larry454 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:27:59 +0000

They are worth what they are asking, if there is a market. I do not question their value, since they are beautiful instruments that provide quality that at one time was found only in places like Haleakala or Mt Wilson. I cannot possibly afford such an investment, nor can I afford to build the new building to put one in. They are not easy to use, and they are so big that they cannot be moved around to share the views with your friends. So to me personally, they are not worth nearly as much as they are asking. But I am pretty sure that they are worth that much to a few people. It's like Lamborghinis;you can always find a few customers who want the best of the best and are willing to pay for it.
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By: campbelp2002

campbelp2002 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:50:59 +0000

I wouldn't buy such a big telescope myself. I don't have that kind of money and anyway it is a big chore to use such a large telescope unless you have it permanently mounted in an observatory.
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By: Nyx

Nyx — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:09:59 +0000

Prices are about right. At those sizes, prices really do get astronomical and your level of commitment is is just about as great. Then you still need the accessories that makes a scope that large work – namely a very tall ladder.

Here’s prices for other big dobs -

http://www.webstertelescopes.com/scopes_currently_in_stock.htm
http://www.obsessiontelescopes.com/telescopes/index.html
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By: GeoffG

GeoffG — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:40:59 +0000

Despite the Orion brand name, these telescopes are actually being made by Normand Fullum in Quebec, Canada. Normand established his reputation by winning prizes at Stellafane for his amazing wooden telescopes, which are as much works of sculpture as telescopes. Recently he has switched to working in metal and developed these ultralight telescopes. There is really nothing else like them on the market and, as far as I know, none have been finished for sale to customers yet. Normand is a superb craftsman — I’ve seen a couple of his wooden telescopes. The only way to describe them is to say that if Gandalf was into astronomy, these are the telescopes he’d use!

I wouldn’t consider buying something like this myself. Aside from the enormous cost, these are telescopes that must be used from atop a tall ladder, something I simply cannot do because of physical limitations.I can’t use any telescope that won’t let me observe from a seated position — my two 11-inch telescopes fill the bill perfectly.
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By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:15:59 +0000

Considering a 50" scope is bigger than some observatories have, I don't think 123 grand for the whole package is unreasonable at all. The 36 inch one falls in line with other big dob-makers pricing in that range too, so I think they're fairly priced. I certainly wish I had the money for one of those 50 inch monsters though, lol
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