NightMonkey
super member
Reged: 01/10/08
Posts: 115
Loc: Upstate, SC
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Has anyone heard of a place that you can rent a scope to test them out? I wouldn't mind spending the money to have it sent out to test for a month...It would be nice to "test drive" a scope for a while before commiting to the purchase.
I have looked all over the internet and asked my local hobby shop but nothing has turned up....I imagine that you could really make some money in doing this.
The only place I have seen is: http://www.scopes4rent.com/ (It has a decent selection but not what I am looking to purchase)
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Meade DS-2114ATS-LNT
Meade 285
Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Set
Thousand Oaks Solar Filter
Quickcam Pro 5000
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Jason D
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/21/06
Posts: 1058
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Do you have a local astronomy club? That would be the best place to try other people's scopes.
Jason
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XT10 classic with premium optics
Tri-knob CR2 with compression rings
Round Table Platform
4.5" StarBlast
TV EPs
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Al Canarelli
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 643
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How about a star party? I frequently look for scopes that interest me and check them out at a star party.
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PXR-5
member
Reged: 03/28/08
Posts: 42
Loc: Monroe, NC
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YES! You can rent a scope from Big Bang Astronomy in Raliegh, NC.
I think you are in Rock Hill, so you are looking at probably a 3 to 3 1/2 hr drive one way and you would have to make 4 trips and gas is now at 3.57 a gallon, 
Oh well, I think you know where I'm going with this 
But, I hear its a great store! 
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Jeff
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Celestron AM 90 alt-az
20, 10, 6mm EPs
30 Year old Tasco 4.5" Reflector
el Cheapo Bino's 8x30
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NightMonkey
super member
Reged: 01/10/08
Posts: 115
Loc: Upstate, SC
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Sweet....I will be checking them out...thanks!
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Meade DS-2114ATS-LNT
Meade 285
Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Set
Thousand Oaks Solar Filter
Quickcam Pro 5000
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 4550
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Here is a site listing astronomy clubs.
http://www.astronomyclubs.com/1/190/0/0/select_state.aspx
I think you would benefit from going to some club star parties.
Nothing wrong with renting, but at a star party you can get the experience of asking the owners questions.
And, they likely know how to collimate them correctly and can find interesting objects to view.
Good luck,
Rich
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DoctorNoodle
sage
Reged: 07/14/07
Posts: 396
Loc: Lawn Guyland, NY
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Also check your local yellow pages for camera shops. Some of them also sell scopes and binoculars and many of those will rent out scopes and eyepieces.
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I feel a whole lot more like I do now than I did when I first got here.
Alanoodle's Scale Model Portfolio
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 3803
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another option is an Astronomy Inn like StarHill Inn or NewMexicoSkies in new mexico where you rent a room and scope with dark skies.
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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RussL
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 500
Loc: Cayce, SC
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Ever think about building one? For all the gas and rental fees, you just about could do it and have precisely what you want. If one cannot find anything on the market that suits them, building is the way. Might even be cheaper. Maybe not, but it would be your way.
Did you ever meet up with that pro for a viewing session? 
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"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
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albert1
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Quote:
Also check your local yellow pages for camera shops. Some of them also sell scopes and binoculars and many of those will rent out scopes and eyepieces.
20 years ago yes, all the great camera shops I used to enjoy visiting are all GONE. 
Welcome to the 21st century.
Full disclosure, I do like going to Home Depot and Walmart though. 
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Albert
Orion XT12i
Multiplying Hyperions
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 3803
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there are a few astronomy shops still in business:
S&S Optic in Denver
Dallas has one,
Tucson two,
others?
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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