Value of used equipment? Opinions please.

First of all let me say that I have alwasys wanted to own 3 scopes; a 4" refractor; an 8" SCT and a 16" Dob. I use the 4" (Burgess 1026 on Vixen/Celestron GP) for quick looks and low power wide field viewing, the SCT for dabbling in phtography, and the Dob (which I am still working on unfortunately) for deep sky hunting.

Recently a friend offered to sell me his Meade LX50 setup, but due to its age, condition and the additional options I'm not sure what a fair price would be. He needs the $ for college so I would like to be fair, but since I'm in no real hurry to get this equipment, I also want a good deal.

Here's what he has... ~1995 8" LX50 w/ matching dew shield. Tripod and wedge are upgraded to the ones that came with the 10" and 12" models. 2" Meade diagonal, off-axis guider, .63 focal reducer and 12mm illuminated reticle eyepiece. Other upgrades include rechargable 12v battery pack, 2 Losmandy rails (one for counter weight, one for guide scope w/ rings) and a Bogan pan head to mount a 35mm camera to (I have an old OM-1).

Overall condition is good (many scrapes, etc...) but all is functionally excellent, and optics appear to be excellent as well, although corrector needs cleaning (dust).

My best guess based on what I've seen for sale lately was as follows:
> scope - $600
> extras - $700

One more thing is a Televue Pronto w/2" non-Everbrite diagonal, screw on lens cap and soft case (~same condition as SCT). He wants to sell whole package together if possible. Figured that added another $500.

Does this sound like a good deal? Maybe offer $1500 for all? Please share your thoughts with me.

Thanks in advance and clear skies.

Bill

Hi Bill,

Have you done a search on the old ads here on Astromart ? There should be plenty of listings for the scopes you mention.

Of course your friend should give you a slight discout : ) Also he will not have to ship anything either.

David Simons

hi,

IMHO 1500 dollars is a fair price for all.

Larry Citro

Bill
If you are saying the wedge and tripod are the Meade Giant Field tripod and Super Wedge then these would have about a $400 additional value over the standard ones. If you plan on photography work, these will be a good value for you.

I think your total figure of $1500 sounds fair to your friend and for you. $1400 would not be unreasonable either.

That is my opinion.
Hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

For what its worth, I recently sold a very nice 10" LX200 setup w/ hardcase, dew shield, scope saver table, counterweights, 2" diag + other stuff for $1500. It sold in 5 minutes, so I probably could have got more for it.

J. Tucker

Thanks to all who responded. He and I agreed to $1500 for all. Now just need to convince my wife.

Clear skies

Bill

Someone should write a blue book of values of used equipment based upon the average price things sell for here on Astromart.
Carl