New Scope
Published on 25 Nov 2006 at 1:35 am.
5 Comments.
Filed under Thoughts & Ramblings.
I had not intended to purchase a new telescope as I’m barely finding the time to use the one I have. My wife had gone out shopping with a friend who works at a well known retailer. This friend was enjoying a 50% discount on EVERYTHING in the store today by virtue of it being “Black Friday” and the fact that she was also an employee. I should mention that this particular retailer is NOT known for it’s electronics/optics… in fact I expect it’s rather shunned in this regard, but I digress.
I was sitting at home with the kids when I received a call from my wife, whose keen eye had spotted a lonely Meade box up on a shelf. She’d asked the clerk if this was included in the 50% off and was told yes. She was calling to see what scope I had and/or if I was interested in a Meade ETX 125EC. The box was labeled $720.99 but she would get it for $310 plus tax…
?!?!?!?!?! … HECK YES I WAS INTERESTED!
But the story does not end here my droogies, for when your humble narrator — yours truly — opened the box at home he found not an electronic controller (EC), but a #497 Autostar. Further, upon examination of the optical tube assembly (OTA) he discovered a UHTC label… Ultra High Transmission Coatings. This particular scope with the Autostar and UHTC sells for $1094.
Nearly all of my ETX 90AT accessories will work with the new scope. I will need to purchase a new solar filter and motorized focuser at some point, but doing without isn’t going to stop the show. The only downside to all this is that I think I just got my Christmas present. 
Needless to say I can’t wait to get it outside!
Jen on 25 Nov 2006 at 8:11 am: 1
That means we should be in for some incredible new pictures then huh?
Andrew on 25 Nov 2006 at 10:27 am: 2
Thats a great deal!!.Congrats!
Dave Pearson on 27 Nov 2006 at 11:32 am: 3
You lucky, lucky, lucky b”^*£”£^*”&£…
NO CARRIER
Ian Musgrave on 10 Dec 2006 at 6:02 am: 4
Yikes! I have a case of serious envy now.
Flip on 1 Jan 2007 at 4:49 pm: 5
Great find! I was thinking about buying a scope to dive into astronomy and found an old 60mm scope at my dad’s house. Im going to try and refurbish it and start with that. Im blogging the adventure here: http://epocs.blogspot.com/ Would appreciate comments and suggestions!