Have you bought any astronomy equipment online? If you made a purchase, what did you buy?

I bought my XT10 last July online, I bought my 15x70's and the Celestron eyepiece and filter kit online last October. I recently bought a used CG-5 online(but I have already sold it to fund another scope). I'm going to buy another scope soon and I'll probably buy it online.

i bought pretty much all of my stuff online. the scope i bought online was the orion astroview 120st eq.

I've bought lots of things mail order:  eyepieces, filters, power packs, etc.  There are too many too list right off the top of my head.  My point is that you can get what you want or need if you are willing to look for it and can wait for the mailman to deliver it.

Joe

 

I bought my Orion XT-12, my 15X70 Binocs, a Telvue 2.5 Powermate, and numerous books, charts and accessories online.  The scope was backordered for 5 weeks, but everything else was quick and easy.  And the scope arrived in perfect condition, I barely had to tweak the mirror to get it collimated.

I to have made many purchases online. A DS2130   A Celestron eyepiece filter kit, Lumicon UHC filter,  Orion Ultrablock filter, Milburn wedge, Stellarvue Nighthawk, telrad,  amoung other things. I feel it is a safe place to shop and find good deals IF you take the time to shop around and compare prices and know what to look for as far as scams go. So far I have not been dissapointed with any purchase except for one.

I've bought a lot of my stuff online, though some things like jump start batteries are much cheaper in person at home depot then the celestron/orion versions.. I bought my CG5 ASGT, digital rebel, 2 compact flash cards, 2 rebel batteries, remote shutter release, t adaptor, t ring, 20mm pentax xw, #390 meade alt/az mount, sky atlas 2000.0, ST80, lens pen, williams optics SCT focuser, and my .63x reducer all online and im probably forgetting some more stuff.

I've bought everything online. new/ used telescopes, eyepieces ,books, programs, cameras, laptops, mounts.. everything.

Most everything has been purchased online.  Both Telrads, the Hardin DSH, DSI, and several eyepieces.  But the Meade, lazer pointer, LPI, and several other eyepieces were purchased at a brick and morter store.  Guess it just depends on who has the better price and how badly I want something here.

All of my equipment was bought on-line except my Pentax binoculars.

This includes C9.25 Carbon Fiber OTA, 2 LXD75 mounts, LX50 SCT, portable pier, SAC7B, Canon Rebel, Orion 80mm ED, + many accessories.

Yes, definitely! I also patronize our local full-service dealer here in Dallas a couple of times a year. I would like to see them stay in business!

Items bought online include those from manufacturers (Stellarvue Nighthawk, JMI Moto Focus, SAC-7b and SAC-8 CCD imagers, STI focuser, and several software packages: The Sky, Lunar Map Pro, etc.) and many accessory items from online retailers including HandsOn Optics, Kendrick, Orion, Astronomics, Anacortes, and a few others.

I've bought eyepieces, filters, solar filters, mounts, tripod upgrades (wooden legs), 35mm cameras, cases, dovetail adapters, small parts, TelRads and RedDots, optical finders, and OTAs.

I bought several mounts, eyepieces, and even a Celestron 6" refractor on eBay several years ago, but have pretty much stopped shopping there due to scams -- it's getting harder to tell the scammers from the good guys over there, although some reputable dealers still operate there.

Astromart is where I look for the big-ticket items.

Most of my stuff has been purchased on line. My Celestron 6" refractor along with several of my eyepieces and a couple of filters were bought at Astronomics. Most of my books and charts and my observing chair (one of the best purchases I ever made) were also bought at Astronomics. I live only about 35 minutes from Norman, OK.

Bought a Celestron 114 firstscope reflector, a pair of Bushnell 10x50 perma focus binoculars, Canon S2 IS 5mp, 12x optical zoom digital camera, another Meade telescope, ----saving sales tax is a lot nowdays, especially with gas prices about to go in orbit, no problems with purchases, so far

Jimmie

I have purchased much of my astronomy equipment online. Most recently (9/2005) I purchased: an 8" Meade LX200 GPS telescope, televue diagonal, scope coat, 2 power plugs, 3 eyepieces, heat strap, microfocuser extension cord and Peterson mounting assistant.  I am now broke, but very happy.

 

The newbie,

Michelle

Yes, I bought my Celestron 12" Starhopper online. I also shopped for eyepieces online but called the store to purchase them.

Let's see, I also bought several books, and, oh yeah, subscribed to a certain magazine online.

 

Jim

I bought quite a bit of eye pieces online, two of my scopes from Orion, some stuff off of Astromart, including a shorti tube refractor,  and even some stuff off eBay.   Usually I check a website out first and even if I don't order, when I get to star parties I have a good idea what the products may look like.  I did a good amount of Christmas shopping online. (non astro stuff).  I think it's a convenient way to shop.

Penny

Hey guys i am thinking of buying a pack for me Celestron G6 N.

Will the

12 Piece Celestron set 1.25" work well with it. Sorry im new to telescopes so im not sure if i need a certain size but it apears that 1.25" is the be all end all size for this stuff.

It llooks to be a good deal as well

I just recently purchased a 55 mW green laser pointer for catching the attention of my students at the high school I teach at. Ever since I began using the laser pointer class participation has tripled. The students can clearly observe the constellations I pick out for discussion. This tool dramatically increased class particiation and I couldnt be more gratefull given that it has made teaching much more pleasant. I would like to mention that my purchase was completely safe and extremely efficient.

If anyone is ever interested in purchasing a good quality laser pointer for the best price in the market and wants customer appreciation visit this link: http://www.biglasers.com/site/1589403/page/45031

 

Hi Arctic Star or anyone else who can help,

I'm in the business of astronomy and laser pointers so i'm very interested in your experience at using green laser pointers for astronomy.

Is it necessary to have powers of 55mW or higher? I was under the impression that the higher powers (say 40mW or above) are not that much more useful. Does the extra power make a difference in a polluted area of if your pointing for a larger group?

Cheers

I've bought all my astronomy stuff online. Don't have a brick and morter store anywhere close. Ebay - Meade DS2114ATS, Zhumell 20 x 80 Binoculars. Telescopes.com - laser collimater, green laser pointer, eyepiece and filter set, autofocuser(not too happy with it), Coronado PST Telescope.