Mount issue

[skyseeker00]

Dear All,

i m consider to purchase a Mount here.

therefore, i already ask some of the dealers here. who quota some price which really make me shock.

Could you please share some idea that how your guys purchase your Mount here?

Something like NEQ6 or maybe CGEM mount.

i have another issue regarding about the low latitude here, is there any place could provide modification for the mount?

Thank you so much in advance.

Clear Skies

[shirox]

hi there, i got mine from cloudy nights thru a seller there.
there are pros and cons on both getting it locally and overseas.
As usual anything u get from overseas is at your own risk. if something goes wrong exchange policy is abit troublesome.
getting locally requires a premium and if something went wrong, at least there is someone to call to locally. lol

[orly_andico]

The price that McGill is charging for the NEQ6 + low-latitude pier (S$2590) is very reasonable (assuming they still have stock and will honor their advertised price). If you buy the mount yourself in the US, you will come in around $2270 (inclusive of shipping) - and that's without the low-latitude pier.

Shipping to Singapore will cost you $550 - $600 via Comgateway (other options, like direct shipping, will cost even more).

For the CGEM, there is no off-the-shelf solution for low latitude, as the CGEM only goes down to 15 degrees. I will claim credit for designing a low-latitude wedge for the CGEM and I know of two having been machined - mine and kaomoo's - by Mr Khoo in Shah Alam who owns a CNC factory.

[skyseeker00]

The price that McGill is charging for the NEQ6 + low-latitude pier (S$2590) is very reasonable (assuming they still have stock and will honor their advertised price). If you buy the mount yourself in the US, you will come in around $2270 (inclusive of shipping) - and that's without the low-latitude pier.

Shipping to Singapore will cost you $550 - $600 via Comgateway (other options, like direct shipping, will cost even more).

For the CGEM, there is no off-the-shelf solution for low latitude, as the CGEM only goes down to 15 degrees. I will claim credit for designing a low-latitude wedge for the CGEM and I know of two having been machined - mine and kaomoo's - by Mr Khoo in Shah Alam who owns a CNC factory.

WOW..S$2590 seems a very reaonable price for NEQ6...i have been quota for S$4600 for a CGEM DX before modification. let me ask them for the quotation..

Thank you so much for the information.that's really helpful.

[orly_andico]

from their web site...

http://www.mcgill.com.sg/shop/product_i ... ucts_id=28

not sure if that price is still valid..

[shirox]

Before you order or put a deposit, best is to check anything you have in mind with the dealers first and should the item requires ordering from overseas, check the maximum lead time, items included and after sales support.
If you dun feel comfortable buying overseas, stick to the local dealers or put a WTB in the sales thread to see if anyone has one to let.

[orly_andico]

the reality is that no local dealer can afford to give bulletproof after-sales support (e.g. no fault replacement).

the market is just too small, their volume is tiny, which accounts for the large markup. they aren't evil, they are business people. no sense doing business if you're losing your shirt doing it.

what most folks do is buy in the US, and hope/pray nothing requires repair.

a lot of good deals pop up here on the forum every now and then. because people itching to upgrade generally let go of their stuff at a loss, sometimes a big loss.

[orly_andico]

while on the topic of mounts...

I am puzzled that Peter Lee (Available Astro Gears) can charge 68000 HKD (about 10600 SGD) for the Paramount MX, FOB Hong Kong - which is less than the US price!

[kochu]

Hi skyseeker,

I have been using EQ6 for the past six years. I have two of them. My 2Cents as follows.

1.It is the best "value for money" mount you can get. After all it is good copy of a good mount.I have even loaded a 17 Kg , 12 inch LX 90 ACF on it.
2. It is not an issue at our lattitude to use it along with a scope upto say 110 mm refractor , WITHOUT any pier, right out of the box . All you have to do is to alter the north peg position to the slot between the tripod legs. This provision is there already on tripod head.
3. I have even used the mount with my ED120 refractor , without a pier, using a small footprint CW. (4 inch dia CW instead of original 5 inch one which comes along with the mount).
4. The original 240 mm extension pier from SW is ok, thouh it may look a bit weak, when you see it. I am using it now-a -days along with my ED120+ 800 mm long guidescope+ heavy AP gear, without any problem.
5. It is not difficult to make a pier for EQ6 in singapore . I have made two such attacments for my Heavy duty pier , right here in Singapore for about 100 s$. All you need is a 5 inch dia Aluminium stock of your choice length .
6. If you ever plan to go into AP, there is a great project group out there called , EQMOD , which enhances the capabilities of EQ6 mount. I think part the EQMOD can be adapted to Celestron mounts also.
Finally, the offer from McGill, I think , (latest 2400 S$) is very reasonable.
Kochu/29-10-11

[shirox]

yeah if the dealer do not have the ability to provide after sales support, they can close their biz.
Not for the whole year but at least the point of receiving goods and the first 7 days.
I received my mount with the polar scope slightly dented, might be due to an impact. Luckily it does not affect the performance of the mount.
If you buy from local dealer i think they will be able to honor this part for a replacement.

Else i will still prefers to purchase from overseas.