A Celestron 150HD f/8 In The Classifieds

[JayTee]

I have the chance to pick up this refractor for an insanely low price.

I have two questions, does anyone have any experience looking through this type of Celestron refractor and what do you think the normal cost for a reasonable wear and tear classified ad amount should be? My guess is around $1500 - $2,000.

Here's a picture.

I look forward to your replies,

[notFritzArgelander]

@Lady Fraktor has one and has made mods to it. You might want to PM her.

[Bigzmey]

I never used CR6 before, but I have own/owned a few Synta made refractors to have a good general feel about them. IMO the main value in this package is CR6 OTA. They come out on CN/AM fairly regularly for $350-400.

The mount in the pic is EQ CG5 or older. If I would be looking for a used EQ mount I would likely go with AVX and those could be found in $600-800 range.

So, IMO the fair price for the package in pic is a bit under $1,000.

BTW, modern equivalent is CR6 on AVX for $1,899

https://www.celestron.com/products/adva ... -telescope

[notFritzArgelander]

I never used CR6 before, but I have own/owned a few Synta made refractors to have a good general feel about them. IMO the main value in this package is CR6 OTA. They come out on CN/AM fairly regularly for $350-400.

The mount in the pic is EQ CG5 or older. If I would be looking for a used EQ mount I would likely go with AVX and those could be found in $600-800 range.

So, IMO the fair price for the package in pic is a bit under $1,000.

BTW, modern equivalent is CR6 on AVX for $1,899

https://www.celestron.com/products/adva ... -telescope

I think you are undervaluing the mount. It is not a CG5 (I own one) but rather an HEQ5 ( which I used to own until the movers destroyed it). An HEQ5 is about twice the price of a CG5 or AVX and worth it. Mine happily carried my 9.25 Edge (with careful balancing for visual use) which is something the CG5 could never handle.

Here are some links:

to the dark finish Orion version of the HEQ5 https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Mounts- ... 116276.uts

and the lighter finish Skywatcher version: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... awQAvD_BwE

[Bigzmey]

I never used CR6 before, but I have own/owned a few Synta made refractors to have a good general feel about them. IMO the main value in this package is CR6 OTA. They come out on CN/AM fairly regularly for $350-400.

The mount in the pic is EQ CG5 or older. If I would be looking for a used EQ mount I would likely go with AVX and those could be found in $600-800 range.

So, IMO the fair price for the package in pic is a bit under $1,000.

BTW, modern equivalent is CR6 on AVX for $1,899

https://www.celestron.com/products/adva ... -telescope

I think you are undervaluing the mount. It is not a CG5 (I own one) but rather an HEQ5 ( which I used to own until the movers destroyed it). An HEQ5 is about twice the price of a CG5 or AVX and worth it. Mine happily carried my 9.25 Edge (with careful balancing for visual use) which is something the CG5 could never handle.

Here are some links:

to the dark finish Orion version of the HEQ5 https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Mounts- ... 116276.uts

and the lighter finish Skywatcher version: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... awQAvD_BwE

This is definitely something for JT to investigate. I have checked standard configuration for 150HD and it was bundled with CG5. Of cause the owner could have purchased CR6 OTA and the mount separately. That would be a good thing.

[chris_g]

I have the chance to pick up this refractor for an insanely low price.

I have two questions, does anyone have any experience looking through this type of Celestron refractor and what do you think the normal cost for a reasonable wear and tear classified ad amount should be? My guess is around $1500 - $2,000.

Here's a picture.

C HD 150.jpg

I look forward to your replies,

Wow, I was searching with Duck Duck Go for data on the scope and found the link to the add you got it from, at least it's the same pic, piano and everything, so I'm assuming it's where you got it! And the link to this topic at the top of the
list...Internet can be so sometimes and then really scary. https://astromart.com/classifieds/astro ... rter-setup

EQ6 non goto, 20 years old. An encoder kit was available for it at one point http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/ ... cribe.html

Don't know enough about the OTA, I'd want more specs on it before I hazarded a guess on cost...

[Bigzmey]

The handset looks strange though, no keypad. Is that a tracking without GoTo?

[notFritzArgelander]

I never used CR6 before, but I have own/owned a few Synta made refractors to have a good general feel about them. IMO the main value in this package is CR6 OTA. They come out on CN/AM fairly regularly for $350-400.

The mount in the pic is EQ CG5 or older. If I would be looking for a used EQ mount I would likely go with AVX and those could be found in $600-800 range.

So, IMO the fair price for the package in pic is a bit under $1,000.

BTW, modern equivalent is CR6 on AVX for $1,899

https://www.celestron.com/products/adva ... -telescope

I think you are undervaluing the mount. It is not a CG5 (I own one) but rather an HEQ5 ( which I used to own until the movers destroyed it). An HEQ5 is about twice the price of a CG5 or AVX and worth it. Mine happily carried my 9.25 Edge (with careful balancing for visual use) which is something the CG5 could never handle.

Here are some links:

to the dark finish Orion version of the HEQ5 https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Mounts- ... 116276.uts

and the lighter finish Skywatcher version: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... awQAvD_BwE

This is definitely something for JT to investigate. I have checked standard configuration for 150HD and it was bundled with CG5. Of cause the owner could have purchased CR6 OTA and the mount separately. That would be a good thing.

Yep. Agreed. I'm sure from the visual appearance that it is not CG5. The HEQ5 has a "blocky" declination axis housing. The CG5 is tapered.

[Bigzmey]

I have the chance to pick up this refractor for an insanely low price.

I have two questions, does anyone have any experience looking through this type of Celestron refractor and what do you think the normal cost for a reasonable wear and tear classified ad amount should be? My guess is around $1500 - $2,000.

Here's a picture.

C HD 150.jpg

I look forward to your replies,

Wow, I was searching with Duck Duck Go for data on the scope and found the link to the add you got it from, at least it's the same pic, piano and everything, so I'm assuming it's where you got it! And the link to this topic at the top of the
list...Internet can be so sometimes and then really scary. https://astromart.com/classifieds/astro ... rter-setup

EQ6 non goto, 20 years old. An encoder kit was available for it at one point http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/ ... cribe.html

Don't know enough about the OTA, I'd want more specs on it before I hazarded a guess on cost...

Well $200 is a crazy good price even for OTA alone. The shipping would be more than that.

[notFritzArgelander]

The handset looks strange though, no keypad. Is that a tracking without GoTo?

Yes, I think so. IIRC there was once upon a time an edition of the HEQ5 or a DIY kit that had motorized slow motion and sidereal tracking but no goto. That is not the hand controller I had.

I looked at an engagement of the pic and it's most def an HEQ5. Now if goto is desirable for @JayTee perhaps a good question would be whether a hand controller could be added. Maybe, likely so since all the smarts are in the hand controller?

[notFritzArgelander]

I have the chance to pick up this refractor for an insanely low price.

I have two questions, does anyone have any experience looking through this type of Celestron refractor and what do you think the normal cost for a reasonable wear and tear classified ad amount should be? My guess is around $1500 - $2,000.

Here's a picture.

C HD 150.jpg

I look forward to your replies,

Wow, I was searching with Duck Duck Go for data on the scope and found the link to the add you got it from, at least it's the same pic, piano and everything, so I'm assuming it's where you got it! And the link to this topic at the top of the
list...Internet can be so sometimes and then really scary. https://astromart.com/classifieds/astro ... rter-setup

EQ6 non goto, 20 years old. An encoder kit was available for it at one point http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/ ... cribe.html

Don't know enough about the OTA, I'd want more specs on it before I hazarded a guess on cost...

Well $200 is a crazy good price even for OTA alone. The shipping would be more than that.

Yes, it's very tempting.....

[JayTee]

To clarify: For the insanely low price of xxx, he is selling the Celestron CR150 HD f/8 AND an EQ6 (non-goto) mount. If I do pick this up which is seeming very likely, I'll reveal the price.

Thank you guys for your input. I really don't care about EQ6 because this frac would be going on my AVX. So now I will have another spare mount, meaning I'll NEED another telescope to put on it!

Cheers,

EDIT: it appears you guys found the ad. How can I pass this up? I have an empty AVX mount yearning for a large frac!

[Bigzmey]

The handset looks strange though, no keypad. Is that a tracking without GoTo?

Yes, I think so. IIRC there was once upon a time an edition of the HEQ5 or a DIY kit that had motorized slow motion and sidereal tracking but no goto. That is not the hand controller I had.

I looked at an engagement of the pic and it's most def an HEQ5. Now if goto is desirable for @JayTee perhaps a good question would be whether a hand controller could be added. Maybe, likely so since all the smarts are in the hand controller?

According to add which Chris has found the mount is EQ6 non goto from 2002 years. Somehow I also guessed ~20 years old looking at the pic. If it was taken good care off, could be a nice package for visual observing.

[Bigzmey]

To clarify: For the insanely low price of xxx, he is selling the Celestron CR150 HD f/8 AND an EQ6 (non-goto) mount. If I do pick this up which is seeming very likely, I'll reveal the price.

Thank you guys for your input. I really don't care about EQ6 because this frac would be going on my AVX. So now I will have another spare mount, meaning I'll NEED another telescope to put on it!

Cheers,

EDIT: it appears you guys found the ad. How can I pass this up? I have an empty AVX mount yearning for a large frac!

If it is for real and within a driving range I would jump on it no matter what my wife says. Having a good capacity tracking only mount is not a bad thing.

Not that you should not try it but it could be a bit shaky on AVX.

[JayTee]

He lives in MN so that is quite a drive from here, about 20 hrs. If the OTA performance is even just average, I will still get this gear. I may be able to convince him to ship based on my experience with the UPS store.

The OTA on the AVX will only be used for visual work. If the OTA is good enough to image through, don't forget I can always put it on my CEM 70.

Fingers crossed.

[Bigzmey]

He lives in MN so that is quite a drive from here, about 20 hrs. If the OTA performance is even just average, I will still get this gear. I may be able to convince him to ship based on my experience with the UPS store.

The OTA on the AVX will only be used for visual work. If the OTA is good enough to image through, don't forget I can always put it on my CEM 70.

Fingers crossed.

The hardware on CR6 scope is very basic. Very heavy steel, fixed dew shield (my first recommendation would be to replace it with DIY foam shield); one speed R&P 2" focuser, not very precise but usable for visual after tune up, and cast metal rings. The glass however is quite good according to users feedback.

[notFritzArgelander]

To clarify: For the insanely low price of xxx, he is selling the Celestron CR150 HD f/8 AND an EQ6 (non-goto) mount. If I do pick this up which is seeming very likely, I'll reveal the price.

Thank you guys for your input. I really don't care about EQ6 because this frac would be going on my AVX. So now I will have another spare mount, meaning I'll NEED another telescope to put on it!

Cheers,

EDIT: it appears you guys found the ad. How can I pass this up? I have an empty AVX mount yearning for a large frac!

I don't think you can pass it up. I'm having a hard time being a nice guy and not beating you to it. The price is truly bonkers.

I wouldn't discount the non goto EQ6. I'd think the AVX might be a little too slight to carry it and an HEQ5 or EQ6 would handle it better. I'll make an proposal. If you get it and find the AVX holds it satisfactorily I'll investigate to see whether the EQ6 can be modded to accept a goto hand controller. I think the answer is likely yes but I need goto for sure. I'd then be happy to relieve you of the EQ6 for the low, low price in the advert plus something more TBD.

[Bigzmey]

To clarify: For the insanely low price of xxx, he is selling the Celestron CR150 HD f/8 AND an EQ6 (non-goto) mount. If I do pick this up which is seeming very likely, I'll reveal the price.

Thank you guys for your input. I really don't care about EQ6 because this frac would be going on my AVX. So now I will have another spare mount, meaning I'll NEED another telescope to put on it!

Cheers,

EDIT: it appears you guys found the ad. How can I pass this up? I have an empty AVX mount yearning for a large frac!

I don't think you can pass it up. I'm having a hard time being a nice guy and not beating you to it. The price is truly bonkers.

I wouldn't discount the non goto EQ6. I'd think the AVX might be a little too slight to carry it and an HEQ5 or EQ6 would handle it better. I'll make an proposal. If you get it and find the AVX holds it satisfactorily I'll investigate to see whether the EQ6 can be modded to accept a goto hand controller. I think the answer is likely yes but I need goto for sure. I'd then be happy to relieve you of the EQ6 for the low, low price in the advert plus something more TBD.

And if you end up not liking CR6 I will be happy to relive you of it for the same low price in the advert. See, how helpful we are here on TSS?

[notFritzArgelander]

To clarify: For the insanely low price of xxx, he is selling the Celestron CR150 HD f/8 AND an EQ6 (non-goto) mount. If I do pick this up which is seeming very likely, I'll reveal the price.

Thank you guys for your input. I really don't care about EQ6 because this frac would be going on my AVX. So now I will have another spare mount, meaning I'll NEED another telescope to put on it!

Cheers,

EDIT: it appears you guys found the ad. How can I pass this up? I have an empty AVX mount yearning for a large frac!

I don't think you can pass it up. I'm having a hard time being a nice guy and not beating you to it. The price is truly bonkers.

I wouldn't discount the non goto EQ6. I'd think the AVX might be a little too slight to carry it and an HEQ5 or EQ6 would handle it better. I'll make an proposal. If you get it and find the AVX holds it satisfactorily I'll investigate to see whether the EQ6 can be modded to accept a goto hand controller. I think the answer is likely yes but I need goto for sure. I'd then be happy to relieve you of the EQ6 for the low, low price in the advert plus something more TBD.

And if you end up not liking CR6 I will be happy to relive you of it for the same low price in the advert. See, how helpful we are here on TSS?

We enable our addictions.

[notFritzArgelander]

As far as the upgrade of a non goto EQ6 to full goto the answer is maybe.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6821 ... tcher-eq6/