TheSkySearchers

Just wondering what the group thought about these

I would hate to make a $450 mistake, sure I could send it back within 30 days, but sometimes it really takes longer than that to fully evaluate a scope.

Tough one - I've read good reviews and I've read bad reviews. Makes me think that the QC might be spotty. YMMV.

At the price that they sell these for I still think (strictly a personal opinion) that they are selling factory seconds.
Which exact one are you looking at?

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:59 pm At the price that they sell these for I still think (strictly a personal opinion) that they are selling factory seconds.
Which exact one are you looking at?

The 80ED, f7

https://www.svbony.com/sv503-80ed-f7-doublet-telescope/

I assume you are referring to this doublet?
Are you planning on visual or AP with it?

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 6:20 pm https://www.svbony.com/sv503-80ed-f7-doublet-telescope/

I assume you are referring to this doublet?
Are you planning on visual or AP with it?

Some lunar and white light solar AP.
Also some grab n go visual, mostly travel.

I'll probably just set aside some more funds for a Skywatcher, but these look interesting.

I see Astronomics sells them as their own brand also.

The Astrotech is not necessarily the same telescope. Astronomics also has a reasonably high QC level.

For your stated uses it should be fine, for AP at f/7 using FPL-51 it should be a triplet to get good colour correction.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:04 pm The Astrotech is not necessarily the same telescope. Astronomics also has a reasonably high QC level.

For your stated uses it should be fine, for AP at f/7 using FPL-51 it should be a triplet to get good colour correction.

I'd rather go with the Astrotech....

Have you considered this Jeff?
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:44 pm Have you considered this Jeff?
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

I think that's the ticket. The price is better and even though there is a wait on the Astronomics you at least have some confidence that you are not paying more for delivery now of an item that Astronomics wouldn't sell...... Just IMO. YMMV.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:44 pm Have you considered this Jeff?
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

Yes, looks like it could be the same scope.
That is the same price as last year, but out of stock.

I wonder if they will keep that price when it returns

Normally if they are not going to hold the price it is just listed as out of stock.
A email or phone call would likely give you a arrival time.
If they are similar at least with the AT you can have confidence in the product quality.

Tough call. I have a few accessories from SVBONY and they are identical in quality to other more known brands. I have a strong suspicion that SVBONY and Astrotech scopes are identical models and made on the same factory. I don't believe at this price point Aastrotech doing QC on the scopes they receive and sending seconds back to be rebranded as SVBONY. I suspect that both company rely on QC at factory and the scope quality should be on pair.

Astro-Tech has been out of stock for a while (I think over a year), and I feel that SVBONY will run out of stock soon. IMO with 30 day return window, there is little risk. But I also feel confident to buy used scopes of CN, so ultimately your call Jeff.

I've bought "more on the way" items from Astronomics and they held to the price. Checking to be sure and actually placing an order based on the current listing seems to do the trick. But with the COVID is mucking about with the supply chain? :shrug: Email is cheap.

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:03 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:44 pm Have you considered this Jeff?
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

Yes, looks like it could be the same scope.
That is the same price as last year, but out of stock.

I wonder if they will keep that price when it returns

Astronomics said they were holding off on raising prices for awhile since items are stuck at the container terminal or in customs. Prices were originally scheduled to increase January 1.

I ordered an AT102 on Jan 2 or 3 and my card was charged the (old) price that was on their web site that day. No communication from them yet on a shipping date. I was going to order a scope from TS that was arriving around Christmas but it's now due in June. There's another 90-ish that's supposed to arrive February 20, but I'd wager that will be delayed as well, so I went with the AT.

ATs seem to be in reasonable demand, so I don't think you'd have a problem selling one if you didn't like it.

I have the SvBONY sv503 80 mm. Clear Outside has finally predicted clear skies for me tonight so hopefully I'll get a chance to try the scope out...

It ships from Amazon. If you do not like it Amazon will pay for return shipping. Just take the scope to the nearest Whole Foods store or UPS.

Refractordude wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:44 pm It ships from Amazon. If you do not like it Amazon will pay for return shipping. Just take the scope to the nearest Whole Foods store or UPS.

Or Kohl's, if you have one.

Kicking the dead horse here (I know, it's not really dead...)
I see the AT80ED is $45 cheaper than the SVBONY that's on AMZ. Free shipping for both. I'm getting twitchy...

I looked at these for a long time, for me AP was a priority and on the basis of the ED glass I decided against it. I also got a good price on an Altair 72EDF second hand - I can recommend them, but out of stock, and probably added cost as you are in the US £499 UK price. The SbVony will do what you want now, but it is sure not future proof if your interest change. The AP I have seen with it is Meh...