Siguy
2008-Dec-08, 11:04 PM
Astronomics just lowered the price of their yet-to-be shipped AstroTech 6'' RC (http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/U5QNWB3RKWWL8N3EL99F9DX9A0/product_id/AT6RC). It is now $795, less than $200 more than a 6'' Mak. This seems quite amazing, considering how high end Ritchey-Chretien telescopes are supposed to be. Couple on of these with the Meade DSI II and IIIs they're selling for peanuts and I bet you could get a nice mini CCD imaging setup. I like my Schmidt Newt fine, but it really seems like all the previously high end optical devices are going down quite a bit in price. For example, Orion earlier this year started selling a 190mm Mak-Newt for $1300 and I bet other manufacturers will follow. Sure, all these are made in China, but who said good optics can't be ultra mass produced? With modern technology, they should be produced cheaply and efficiently. Now they just need to work on the GoTo systems, which have been desperately needing an overhaul for the last ten years. Yes, they work well, but electronics based on mid-1990s tech shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars.