What Sells: Binoculars & Telescopes
A telescope is an important astronomical tool used to increase the size of very distant objects, as well as their brightness so that they are visible to the human eye. Galileo Galilei is credited with being the first to use a telescope in 1609 for astronomical purposes. Telescopes used for non-astronomical purposes are often referred to as transits, spotting scopes, binoculars, camera lenses, microscopes or spyglasses. While a telescope can be quite large and heavy, a set of binoculars is a lightweight, hand-held tool used to magnify objects whose distance can be measured in yards. Telescopes and binoculars are especially popular with backyard stargazers and birdwatchers. With the advance of the digital revolution, digiscoping was introduced–an increasingly popular hobby that refers to capturing images with a digital point and shoot camera by shooting through the eyepiece of a telescope or spotting scope.
Top-selling brands include:
Additional features like night vision (infrared vision) and built-in digital cameras are also very popular. Vintage and antique binoculars and telescopes are popular with some collectors, particularly military-issue items.
If you don’t know all the specifications, check the manufacturer’s website; they often have product catalogs online that list detailed specifications.
Visit the following websites for glossaries and guides to choosing telescopes and binoculars:
B&H Photo & Video also provides a general, online camera resource that includes an introduction to binoculars, an introduction to digiscoping, information on how to select a telescope eyepiece as well as an overview of night vision in the Product Resources section of the website. Visit the website at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/.
A must have reference book, if you become a serious seller of telescopes, is Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer’s Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories, 2nd Edition (Paperback) by Philip S. Harrington.
Look for the following signs of wear and damage:
- Scratches and scuffs on the case
- Scratched, chipped or cracked lenses
- Fogged or discolored lenses
- Worn, cracked or missing eye pieces
- Ripped, broken or missing straps
- Missing lens caps
- Rusted metal parts
Include these details in your listing:
- Brand
- Model
- Magnification and diameter (e.g., 8x42)
- Other features (night vision, waterproof, motorized, image stabilization, etc.),
- Accessories (tripod, hard case, soft case, manuals, etc.)
If you don’t know all the details, check the manufacturer’s website; they often have product catalogs online that list detailed specifications.
For telescopes, ask the owner to show you how to assemble and disassemble each item; it’s better to photograph a scope assembled and mounted on the tripod than sitting in pieces on the floor. This will also help you discover whether any pieces are missing.
Store items in the case designed to protect the item, if provided by the owner. If a case is not available, wrap the items carefully and store them away from children, pets and environmental hazards.
Use the original packaging whenever possible to store and ship an item. If the original box is missing or too damaged to use, wrap each item separately in bubble wrap and cushion with packing peanuts inside a larger box. Always put lens caps on lenses to protect them during shipment.
