Buying from Cloudynights Classified... Safe?

andeelym · Post by **andeelym** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:17 am

Hi folks,

Am eyeing some stuff over at cloudynights classified. Anyone had any experience buying stuff from there?

Although there is the famous astromart, but the USD12 registration fee kinda puts me off. But there are some things I would like to buy from there too... Hmm... should I pay?

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:09 am

I've bought lots of stuff off cloudynights. So long as you deal with someone with a high-ish rating and who's "known" in the astronomy community, you should be OK.

I've actually sometimes bought from people with zero rating, but only after googling them to check that they are actual, active amateur astronomers.

I also paid the $12 to Herb. I know as a matter of principle it sucks, but A-Mart is a valuable resource. I've also bought stuff there.

Pay via PayPal so you have some level of protection. Most sellers won't ship outside CONUS, which is where VPOST comes in.

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:19 am

Orly! I thought you're out of town!

Yeah, I was wondering about buying from AM/CN as well as I might get better pre-loved stuff there

Trying for a 8" imaging scope and a GP2/CGEM class mount

(Yes, different load class but essentially same loading for AP work since you don't have to divide by 2 for Vixens)

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:22 am

I am out of town... in the KL office now. But we have wireless. :-)

Waiting for attendees to arrive.

And you do have to derate even for Vixen (e.g. GP has 16lb rating, you should probably not exceed 12lb imaging load).

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:39 am

Hahahaha! Have fun with the food a shopping (for the wife)
So China mount divide by 1/2, Vixen divide by 2/3?
Oops! Shall not hijack this thread

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:45 am

just general rule of thumb..

note the SX-W has a 12kg rating (a leetle bit more than the GPDX/GPD2). so it would only be marginal for imaging with the 8" orion imaging newtonian.

also i think the imaging newtonian would have A LOT of vignetting on your FX DSLR.

andeelym · Post by **andeelym** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:15 am

Thanks Orly for your feedback... I guess I will just pay the 12 USD to Herb to access the classified section. But i'll do it when I have to.. I guess I have to... haha, cos I'm eyeing a wooden tripod cos I think its the best for any setup right? Do correct me if I am wrong.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:37 am

if you buy something on A-Mart / CN you will need to have it shipped to SG.

a wooden tripod is not that heavy but it is large.. figure you'll spend upward of $100 SGD for shipping...