Cherokee #1: Should I buy this used telescope?

Introduction

I'm still learning the ropes of proper postings here on SAA. If anyone
has some suggestions on how to better my posting form, please let me
know here or in private email. The # in the posting title allows me to
quickly go back to or refer to past posts.

An friend of a friend has me over

A friend of a friend contacted me as I've recently become interested in
astronomy. I was told his hobby is birding but come to find out he is
also a part time astronomer. I traveled over to his home and enjoyed a
3 hour conversation about birding, astronomy and the equipment both
hobbies use.

I must say, I learned more in that 3 hours then all my readings
combined to date. There is no substitute for learning the equipment
side of things then having it in front of you with an eager teacher.

My insistence upon quality was met with approval from my friend. He
confesses a love of quality equipment and cited several sad tales of
early scopes. In an effort to "save money" on his first telescope, he
purchased an introductory 70mm refractor. It was difficult to use,
gave poor images and had no resale value (I learned about the used
scope market -hmmmm). His "cost savings" were wasted and he wished he
would have gone straight to a quality scope.

Scope being offered to me

During the course of the afternoon, my friend mentioned he had a scope
he hasn't used for quite some time and would be willing to sell to me.
I asked whether he didn't like it. he replied he had upgraded to
several very high end refractors and it had been replaced in it's use.
His new high end brand of choice is Takahashi refractors.

Well, several trips to the attic and we had an impressive little scope
setup on the patio. I had him write down the parts and here they are;

TV Pronto
TV Gibraltor (mount)
TV Starbeam (very interesting finder)
Diagonal
24mm Konig (eyepiece)
Ultima Barlow (doubles the power)

Cost $750

I must say I am very impressed with the overall build quality of both
the telescope and the mount. It is apparent to me that the TV company
understands how to build equipment that will last.

Well, I need some candid feedback on whether this is a fair price. I
really don't doubt my new friend. He is very sincere and eager to see
me enter this hobby. However, I'm new to this and could use a 2nd
opinion.

peace
cherokee

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Eisboch
    ... your online character through your posting in this group and it is one of ... quality and integrity. ... with your new friend in RORT has me rolling on the floor. ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: Eisboch
    ... your online character through your posting in this group and it is one of ... quality and integrity. ... your new friend in RORT has me rolling on the floor. ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: Setting precedent? (re: legal decisons)
    ... As relevant to you and your friend for internet newsgroup related ... your last most recent posting in this thread illustrates at ... deal with whichever or both the different (planning and zoning) boards ... response to an application by her for a building permit or precursor ...
    (misc.legal)
  • Re: Setting precedent? (re: legal decisons)
    ... As relevant to you and your friend for internet newsgroup related ... your last most recent posting in this thread illustrates at ... deal with whichever or both the different (planning and zoning) boards ... response to an application by her for a building permit or precursor ...
    (misc.legal)
  • Re: Accessing "complex types" in an object property
    ... "Is there a way to narrow this friend thing down to a smaller scope?" ... Public ReadOnly Property Street() As String ...
    (microsoft.public.dotnet.languages.vb)
Quantcast