How to get a Intes Micro MN56?

artemov · Post by **artemov** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:34 am

Hello Everybody,

I am new here. This is my first post

I have a few queries that I hope some kind soul can help answer.

1) How do I get an Intes Micro MN56? The ITE website seems a bit complicated, have to call them, and deal with money transfer and all that. I am only familair with paying by credit card.

2) Are there any reliable online stores that ship to Singapore? I know of www.buytelescopes.com and www.optcorp.com. Are they reliable? What sort of shipping charges would I be looking at if I get, say, a Celestron 6" SCT with CG-5 mount? What if the scope is damaged enroute?

I am bias towards SCT/MCT/MNT as they are relatively portable and easy to maintain, not to mention value for money. Any recommendation? My budget is around S$1500 including mount. Willing to increase if necessary. Buying telescopes in Singapore is not value for money!

My apologies for the myriad of questions. Thank you for your time.

Cheers.

Post by **weixing** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:35 am

Hi,

1) How do I get an Intes Micro MN56? The ITE website seems a bit complicated, have to call them, and deal with money transfer and all that. I am only familair with paying by credit card.

You can PM Debash. He get a MK67 from ITE.

Are there any reliable online stores that ship to Singapore?

You can try McGill: http://www.mcgill.com.sg. They have the Sky-Watcher 127 MCT... which I think the one of the most popular scope in singapore and fit in your budget. Or may be you can get a used one to save money.

I know of www.buytelescopes.com and www.optcorp.com. Are they reliable?

The problem is that they don't shipped outside USA for most telescope if not all, so you have to use VPostUSA to do that. Since VPostUSA use a US address, so from the vendor point of view, it is shipped to US.

I know of www.buytelescopes.com and www.optcorp.com. Are they reliable? What sort of shipping charges would I be looking at if I get, say, a Celestron 6" SCT with CG-5 mount?

They are reliable, but they don't shipped to Singapore for most telescope. Not quite sure on the shipping cost, but some of the "old bird" should be able to answer it.

What if the scope is damaged enroute?

Basically, warrenty will be void on most telescope if you get from them via VPostUSA, so you have to ship back the scope at your own cost and the liability of VPost is limited to S$150 for each item if you use VPostUSA... that the risk you have to take.

I am bias towards SCT/MCT/MNT as they are relatively portable and easy to maintain, not to mention value for money. Any recommendation? My budget is around S$1500 including mount. Willing to increase if necessary. Buying telescopes in Singapore is not value for money!

I think the Sky-Watcher 127 MCT that McGill is selling should fit in your budget.

Have a nice day.

river · Post by **river** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:50 am

Hi there, I order a CG5-GT from www.optcorp.com. They do reply my email in 1~2 days time. Ship the item on time too. Shipping pakaging is good, items are protected with enough foam and smaller empty boxes. But the web site will not tell you the international shipping cost, they will email you once you place the order. As for US local shipping, click on the Shipping Tab to get estimated cost. I have no experience order a C6 online.

I got a 5" MCT and CG5-GT, buying it because I believe they are portable. When I got them in front of my face... Woow.. it is like gym equipment to me. I carry 3 bags (one for mount + accessory, one alibaba bag for tripot and the original MCT's bag) with hands to go around. Need wheels to go further places. If I have extra cash, I wish to get a short tube refractor setup that fit into just one bag as my "last minute grab and run","10 min. setup time" scope.

ahh.... price for CG5 just went up by USD$70, it was USD$299.
Vpost shipping (~7 days) for that mount is about S$100~S$200.

hope it helps...

Post by **acc** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:46 am

A used C5 (Airconvent was selling one) or Orion/Skywatcher 127mm Mak 127 seems like a good idea. I have a used Mak 127 and C8 OTA to let go of but they are with me here in the US, so shipping them to Sg is probably not worthwhile.

If you are into visual only, look into the possibility of using one of those alt-az mounts (see www.astrobargain.com -- Universal Astronomics MicroStar Basic) on a normal tripod. These are much more portable than EQ mounts which are absolute beasts to wrestle with and to setup. Or you can try getting Denebman's new Giro mount if you get a > 5" OTA.

cheers
cc

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:57 am

If you're nice to him, Sam (harlequin) maybe willing to sell his MN56 to you.

Arief

artemov · Post by **artemov** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:59 pm

Thanks for all the replies.

Ok, where's Sam of Harlequin? What do you want me to perform?

How's the quality of the Skywatcher 127?

river:
What type of short tube refractor do you have in mind?

Thanks.

Post by **acc** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:23 pm

artemov wrote:
How's the quality of the Skywatcher 127?

Thanks.

As good as it gets for the price. Lots of positive reviews on the web. check out www.scopereviews.com for Orion Starmax 127

river · Post by **river** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:47 pm

I do not have a “must have” model in mind yet. However I do have the following considerations.

1) 3” wide field optical setup, max 4.5kg. -- have a tripod with max load 4.9kg
2) Simple structure with less small parts.
3) Used scope found in Singapore – my budget for a grab n go is not high, better use
the shipping cost to pay for better scope.

I take my time to wait for a good buy while I learn my skill and build some muscle with my current setup.

Post by **Airconvent** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:51 pm

ariefm71 wrote:If you're nice to him, Sam (harlequin) maybe willing to sell his MN56 to you.

Arief

haha wishful thinking lah...he told me this one he is keeping unless and irresistible offer comes along. recently he even talked about buying a bino viewer for it....
but of course, people always change their minds!

rich

Post by **weixing** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:56 pm

Hi,

I do not have a “must have” model in mind yet. However I do have the following considerations.

1) 3” wide field optical setup, max 4.5kg. -- have a tripod with max load 4.9kg
2) Simple structure with less small parts.
3) Used scope found in Singapore – my budget for a grab n go is not high, better use
the shipping cost to pay for better scope.

I take my time to wait for a good buy while I learn my skill and build some muscle with my current setup.

3"... 3 seconds??? That's a very very very small field of view... all scope can provide wider field than that... hee hee

Or you mean 3 degree?? Hmm... a 102mm F5 scope with a 32mm Plossl 52degree AFoV will give you 3.25 degree FoV.

Have a nice day.