Need advice: Explore Scientific or something else?

[Baskevo]

Hey guys,

So I have to send back my 3rd telescope from explore scientific, because of stripped screws and some markings on the glass. It is extremely frustrating and I'm pretty over ES between the bad OTAs and field flatteners. I know that I'm working with a budget, especially for astrophotography, but I think its reasonable to expect the products to be usable, right? Here's why I have to send the new one back, if you didn't see it in the other forum:

I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for any similar refractor telescopes, good for astrophotography, around the $800-$1100 range, that'll go well with the AVX mount? Or is the Explore Scientific 80mm FCD-100 the best bang for my buck?

Thanks.

[Refractordude]

Hey guys,

So I have to send back my 3rd telescope from explore scientific, because of stripped screws and some markings on the glass. It is extremely frustrating and I'm pretty over ES between the bad OTAs and field flatteners. I know that I'm working with a budget, especially for astrophotography, but I think its reasonable to expect the products to be usable, right? Here's why I have to send the new one back, if you didn't see it in the other forum:

Screen Shot 2019-11-19 at 6.45.24 PM.png

I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for any similar refractor telescopes, good for astrophotography, around the $800-$1100 range, that'll go well with the AVX mount? Or is the Explore Scientific 80mm FCD-100 the best bang for my buck?

Thanks.

Sorry to read of your bad luck with the ES scopes. I can not advise on what scope for astrophotography, just very surprised at ES quality control. Did you have to pay for return shipping? Sorry if the question is to personal, but I really need to know.

[Baskevo]

No I did not have to pay for return shipping, they've been really good about that. This is like the 5th thing I've had to send back to them, but I didn't have to pay shipping for any of it (except for an actual return on an item)

[Lady Fraktor]

I would highly recommend either of the first two, the second is on sale at the moment.
The Astrotech has a good reputation and many reviews can be found for them.
After the second time returning a telescope for me, there never would have been a third time.

https://www.stellarvue.com/stellarvue-s ... refractor/
https://www.stellarvue.com/stellarvue-sv80-access/
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

[Baskevo]

I was looking at the astro-tech... I'm nervous though b/c I've gotten so comfortable with the ES 80mm... But it has been a huge pain. I'm going to sleep on it. Thanks for the advice, Lady Fraktor!

[Mac]

Hey guys,

So I have to send back my 3rd telescope from explore scientific, because of stripped screws and some markings on the glass. It is extremely frustrating and I'm pretty over ES between the bad OTAs and field flatteners. I know that I'm working with a budget, especially for astrophotography, but I think its reasonable to expect the products to be usable, right? Here's why I have to send the new one back, if you didn't see it in the other forum:

Screen Shot 2019-11-19 at 6.45.24 PM.png

I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for any similar refractor telescopes, good for astrophotography, around the $800-$1100 range, that'll go well with the AVX mount? Or is the Explore Scientific 80mm FCD-100 the best bang for my buck?

Thanks.

I had to return my ED102 because of chipped lens. The chip was on the inside too. B&H replaced it promptly and when they did, the replacement came double-boxed. At that point I suspected I might have had someone else's return to B&H with the original scope which was single boxed and kind of beat up.

The replacement is perfect, as far as I can discern so far.

[Lady Fraktor]

Most companies double box their telescopes for shipping, I would suspect the first one may have been a return.

[Bigzmey]

I would highly recommend either of the first two, the second is on sale at the moment.
The Astrotech has a good reputation and many reviews can be found for them.
After the second time returning a telescope for me, there never would have been a third time.

https://www.stellarvue.com/stellarvue-s ... refractor/
https://www.stellarvue.com/stellarvue-sv80-access/
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U

I would second Gabby on Stellarvue and with limited time sale on SV80-access, it is a steal! It is a doublet but well corrected, so many people use it for AP.

[helicon]

Sorry to hear about the problem with your ES scope. I think their reputation for quality is well known, so I am a bit surprised. My scope is fine though I bought it from lowjiber about 1.5 years ago. He shipped it at the UPS store and it came in good condition. I also bought a new Twilight II from B&H photo but it appeared to have been drop shipped from ES in Arkansas. Also was in good condition.

[fatboy1271]

Such a bummer James! As we've discussed, I've had good luck with my ES ED80. If I were you I'd also move on. Unfortunately, all I can recommend is the... Wait, never mind

[John Fitzgerald]

My ES ED80 seems perfect also. I picked it up at the warehouse in Springdale, Arkansas.

[Bigzmey]

I had two ES APO scopes in the past 127mm and 102mm. 102mm was purchased from HighPoint Scientific and 127mm straight from ES. Both are well made scopes with no quality issues. I also used a bunch of ES EPs over the years. No quality issues there either.

But, if I would receive 3 scopes in a row with issues I wold run from ES and never come back.

[Baskevo]

I appreciate everyone's advice! I probably should have moved on, but Kent said he was checking it personally for me and would ship it the next day, and I didn't want to hassle with it... So hopefully this will be the last one! I still have the one with the stripped screws, with a loose dovetail, but it works, so at least I can get out this weekend for the new moon.

Thanks again y'all! I'll let you know how the new one is

[SkyHiker]

I appreciate everyone's advice! I probably should have moved on, but Kent said he was checking it personally for me and would ship it the next day, and I didn't want to hassle with it... So hopefully this will be the last one! I still have the one with the stripped screws, with a loose dovetail, but it works, so at least I can get out this weekend for the new moon.

Thanks again y'all! I'll let you know how the new one is

Good! Explore Scientific is a great company that brings affordable gear to market and supports our community. For instance, they were a regular vendor at the former RTMC astronomy expo and donated $2K worth of gear each time (FYI that's why the ES ED127CF is in my signature - door prize!). I bought an ED80, EQ Nano and FF from them, and indirectly a Comet Hunter and never had a problem. I read about some customer complaints such as only having online manuals but most of all their gear is good value for the money, good for us so hang in there! Your patience will be rewarded.

[John Fitzgerald]

I go into ES HQ from time to time and say hello, maybe buy something. They are all great people.

[Mac]

Most companies double box their telescopes for shipping, I would suspect the first one may have been a return.

Yes, this made me very leery of purchasing from them again. I found others with similar complaints about them.

[John Fitzgerald]

I've talked to several vendors, and none of them routinely unbox and inspect before shipping. If there has been trouble on a previous order, or it's an extremely expensive purchase, and you request it, most will check it for you. I have requested such on an expensive mount, and they opened it and verified it was all there, and looked undamaged.
Chinese factories are spotty about QC, especially about letting scopes go with purely cosmetic blemishes, like dirty lenses and dirt on the paint, I have been told. Stripped screws are also a problem sometimes. All these things might happen eventually as a scope gets used, and a reasonably handy person can correct them. But, on a new scope at a new scope price, great serviceability is to be expected.
Kent's a great guy. They will make it right.

I have only ever had four scopes shipped to me in my entire 54 years of amateur astronomy. The shipped ones were all fine. All the rest were picked up in person, on drives up to four hours each way, or at even more distant star parties.

[Bigzmey]

I've talked to several vendors, and none of them routinely unbox and inspect before shipping. If there has been trouble on a previous order, or it's an extremely expensive purchase, and you request it, most will check it for you. I have requested such on an expensive mount, and they opened it and verified it was all there, and looked undamaged.
Chinese factories are spotty about QC, especially about letting scopes go with purely cosmetic blemishes, like dirty lenses and dirt on the paint, I have been told. Stripped screws are also a problem sometimes. All these things might happen eventually as a scope gets used, and a reasonably handy person can correct them. But, on a new scope at a new scope price, great serviceability is to be expected.
Kent's a great guy. They will make it right.

I have only ever had four scopes shipped to me in my entire 54 years of amateur astronomy. The shipped ones were all fine. All the rest were picked up in person, on drives up to four hours each way, or at even more distant star parties.

Yes, drop shipping is common, and once in a while you will get a lemon. In this case however, after first scope returned they should have checked and make sure that the second they send is a good one.

[Baskevo]

I feel I have been pretty patient. The last month or 2 has been a struggle with ES. what frustrated me was 1) they didn't check the SECOND scope for me, to make sure there were no stripped screws, etc. as Bigzmey says they should have, 2) I won't have the new scope for this perfectly clear, moonless weekend for which I was planning my first dark site trip, and 3) I cannot get a flat field with their scopes without 85mm of back focus (I've tried 3 different ES scopes, 2 different cameras, 4 different 55mm-required flatteners), which took me 2 months to figure out

I understand a lot of people have a lot of loyalty for ES, I'm sure that the first 2 scopes were mistakes and part of the process, and Kent has been really great and super helpful. That, and the opportunity cost of dealing with another purchase, is why I chose to stick with ES, but it is getting tiresome. New ES scope isn't coming until Tuesday, and no matter if it is in good condition or not, it will be the last ES scope for a while.

I write it all off as the price of getting a somewhat decent astro photo (Hopefully, someday soonish maybe lol)

[yobbo89]

ohh, what's going on there ? fibers? , almost every item i have purchased there has been some sort of minor debere ie aluminum stuck between lenses ectt, sometimes for whatever silly reasons some manufactures have been glueing the lock ring in so i can't pull apart my eyepieces or other items.the only immaculate item i have purchased was my sct given that i had to fix it a bit and zwo cameras