End of the Portaball line

Post by **acc** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:09 pm

Just read on Yahoo Portaball group that Mag 1 Instruments, maker of the Portaball, will cease business with immediate effect due to economic hardship... Seems like the astronomy business is facing a prolonged slump...

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:31 pm

oh no! that mean you won't be able to upgrade to a 16", 20" portaball!
better hold on to your "precious" cc..!

Sad to see them go. my guess is maybe WO or Skywatcher may buy them over to add a premium product to their range. I know of a teleport owner who is itchy to upgrade but now.....

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:32 pm

Oh dear... I thought these ultra premium makers have so much business until it takes years for delivery? Or perhaps Meade truss dobs and other cheaper dobs have overtaken the premium dob business?

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:50 pm

that would be very sad if its true! their products are so innovative.

i was just a few days ago reading a Cloudy Nights interview with Peter Smitka, the founder and owner of Mag 1, published in January:

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1607

it does not seem from that article that Mag 1 was doing poorly.

wonder if it is just a rumour or a joke. hope it is.

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:14 am

It's really quite sad. It seems a few astronomy businesses are "struggling" according to various forums and mailing lists ...

anat · Post by **anat** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:28 am

You may notice that the list of Astromart sponsors shrinks dramatically from last year. That suggests something.

Anat

Post by **rcj** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:34 am

That is sad news! Another line of excellent products down. Seems like the dealer/manufacturer scene is shrinking. Clearvue Optics is also folding up...

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:46 am

I think it is inevitable. With the new big space scopes coming up, free online digital images, worsening light pollution in residential areas, increasing competition from cheaper alternatives, not to mention ridiculous waiting times, people are moving away from owning a big high quality scope to surfing NASA.org or using a cheaper alternative.

However, having said that, Questar is still around...

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:28 pm

anat wrote:You may notice that the list of Astromart sponsors shrinks dramatically from last year. That suggests something.

Anat

Not really. It may just mean that the host of Astromart gives the sponsors a raw deal.

I think the competition from the Chinese manufacturers is too keen. The quality from the East is getting better.

Post by **acc** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:46 pm

Yup given a choice now between a premium truss dob and the Meade Made-In-Taiwan Lightbridge, I would not hesistate to go for the latter and save myself some big bucks. And take what you read on Cloudynights about the quality of Made-In-USA dobs with a pinch of salt. My Portaball had numerous electrical and cosmetic issues when delivered, and the base and OTA of a couple of Discovery scopes I have seen are poorly finished and don't look professionally built.