SingAstro

old post new updates

amazon.sg have 8" dob for S$794
https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B00Z4G3PRK/



Lazada app have celestron 8se for S$1252 , coupons only appear in app not desktop browser.
This $1300 is the normal price in China Taobao , Lazada currently have 12% coupon to almost recover the cost of sea shipping and GST 9%
Buying on Lazada is better as you have 1 chance to complain before or after unbox since the glass is fragile, no coverage if done via Taobao app.
Control handset have different language to select including English.

https://s.lazada.sg/s.YzSEb?cc

thats very attractive offer. C8 at this price. Does lazada offers return if OTA is damaged. I have done it with amazon, but my returns with lazada is messy - the seller has to agree for return/refund else it gets rejected.

I have no idea , didn't return through Lazada's Taobao Collection subsection.

Imagine this SOP
Don't open the parcel , get somebody to phone record on 720p resolution video , tilt the cardboard left right to hear any glass pieces sound. Stop and apply refund at that point if anything weird, don't unbox.
Proceed to unbox on video recording if no issue.

First step is whether the seller dare to process the order when they see the receiving address is alibaba warehouse. I had the impression these china sellers want a confirmation via messager within Taobao or external WeChat when the order is quite a significant sum. May not be possible to communicate since the Lazada Taobao system is a robotic layer.
It's possible to find the exact seller on Taobao and communicate with them prior to expect an order via another account , whether that's prudent is another consideration as sellers can send lemons to exports with no return rights. Best option is keep quiet and try to get Lazada to shield.

On lazada SGD $231 can get 4inch F 6.5 achromat with dual speed focuser. Includes GST and shipping cost.
Exclude mount , finder , diagonal , eyepiece.
For newbies , plan your dry storage big ziplock bag with rechargeable dehumidifier as the tube is more than 60cm.

Roughly comparable to the popular USD 199 omni AZ 102 achromat that comes with mount. You use the savings onto finding your suitable mount and accessories.

amazon.sg
Price dropped from 1059 to 797 SGD , include international shipping and GST.
celestron starsense explorer dx5
This model have good reviews on CloudyNights forum when priced appropriately. May need minimal tweaking the altitude clutch resistance.
Not recommended for exclusive use by children due to fragile front glass.



*note
By Cloudynights recommendation I refer to this specific Schmidt-Cassegrain DX5 model only , their recommendation does not extend to the other cheaper starsense explorer design using yoke & rod style mount with long refractor or bird-jones newtonian.

this is an excellent setup.. just the C5 is worth more than the whole setup. light and excellent grab and go setup

130mm at 336.90
150mm at 504.65
I checked it include international shipping and GST , recently available at amazon.sg

price crash $32.29 + 1.49 shipping

Do note there is some risk of not getting perfect collimation.
Actual usable diameter is 63mm due to cone too steep cut into light path.


If you need a beginner budget porro bino , can try svbony sv206 on Lazada.
I convinced somebody to get it on 11.11 and he paid $52 after coupon.
Fully multi-coated. He received in 4-5 days. I told him to have fun with it , don't care about silica gel fungus prevention since $50 only.

The dob8 posted above on June 2024 is back on amazon.sg at $1050. Quantity 1.

celestron 22030 travelscope 80 is $162.24 after elec12 coupon , amazon.sg quantity 1
80mm F/5 achro + shaky tripod + backpack + 45 degree diagonal

The above November 2024 $33 skymaster bino , it was sold out a few days after I posted and I saw 3 of these on the resale market for $110 the week after.





I didn't place order , these are my comments.

Pros
Alt-Az with gears is better for beginners at this price range compared to yoke&rod or eq1 eq2 or photo tripod style
Real mirror diagonal not correct-image ball or 45-degree for terrestrial

Cons
This Alt-Az mount only capable of 3kg short tube , with long tube expect more vibration.
I don't have any cheap airtight dry storage solution for long tube telescope to prevent fungus. (clothing vacuum storage bag + rechargeable mini dehumidifier ???)
110cm tripod height with long tube pointed upwards puts the eyepiece low.
Using the default finderscope may grind down user patience.
Extra budget needed for dehumidifier , eyepiece upgrade.

*This mount is same as Sparta mount or Vixen mini porta at 75 teeth internal gear.
Sparta was worth $75 for the head alone on Taobao (year 2013-2023) and you can round up the value to about $100 since this kit include the tripod legs.
Year 2024 onwards the Sparta isn't competitive option as the sv225 head at $140 (Lazada) is much more capable at 4-5kg capacity with 120 teeth gear, require photo tripod bought separately.

I'm neutral on this setup and price point.
Not a clear YES or NO product recommendation.
Use it as a benchmark on what can be bought with $222 Singapore dollars delivered. Patience required to wait for coupon on Lazada.
When you see 70mm 80mm scope with worse tripods at $150-400 , remove the branding difference , this 90mm with decent tripod looks better in comparison.
I would have given it a thumbs up if downsized to 80mm F/5 short tube and price down to below $190 with same tripod.

Hardwarezone wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:44 pm If you need a beginner budget porro bino , can try svbony sv206 on Lazada.
I convinced somebody to get it on 11.11 and he paid $52 after coupon.
Fully multi-coated. He received in 4-5 days. I told him to have fun with it , don't care about silica gel fungus prevention since $50 only.

Fully mutli-coated , big eyepiece lens , long eye relief , these 3 attributes win almost all second-hand bino at $60-100
Use the coin page to bring it towards $50

3 seconds vibration time
nylock nut loosen