Need some advice on equipment sellers

[chris_g]

Hello folks,

I'm looking for some equipment sellers besides Amazon.com. I found optcorp.com but would like to try and find some more, their site says everything is on extended back order of 4 to 6 months. I know covid has put a damper on a lot of equipment manufacturers so waiting is the new norm but I wold like to have some choices. I live in the U.S. but would not mind purchasing international if the prices were right on the shipping and what not. Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!

[kt4hx]

Hi Chris and welcome to the site. Some well known and respected vendors for astro equipment in the U.S., besides OPT are:

https://agenaastro.com/

https://www.highpointscientific.com/

https://www.skiesunlimited.com/

https://www.astronomics.com/

https://www.eyepiecesetc.com/Default.asp

https://www.telescope.com/

https://telescopes.net/store/

Hope that helps and I know that right now, stock issues seem to be common, depending on what one is looking for.

[Bigzmey]

Agenaastro.com
HighPointScientific.com
Astronomics.com
Bhphotvideo.com

are good reliable options in US.

[Ylem]

Welcome Chris,
Sadly so many vendors are out of stock
It's not their fault of course and it may take a few more months for the supply chain back to normal.

I do see binoculars seem to be available, don't over look a decent pair of 7,8 or 10x50's.
They will last a lifetime.
In fact, I spend more time with my binos than my scopes.

[Lady Fraktor]

International Sites:

First Light Optics, 365Astronomy, Altair Astro, Teleskop-Express, APM Telescope, Astroshop.eu, Baader Planetarium, Bresser, Omegon
These are all excellent retailers, there are many more but it would be a very large list.

[Greenman]

I would add Rother Valley Optics in the UK, but not for US manufacture products or you will be paying two sets of import duty.

Of course now we have Brexit finally with us we pay import duty on European products too.

[pakarinen]

I've read some negative reviews of OPT, but don't recall any details. You could check Cloudy Nights for discussions.

I've had good luck with Orion (ST120 scope), Highpoint Scientific, Eyepiecesetc.com, Woodland HIlls, Agena Astro, SkyWatcher (Mak 90mm) here, and First Light Optics in the UK. Truthfully, I've been most impressed with First LIght and how fast purchases have arrived via DHL.

[seigell]

Adding to the list:
USA:
OPT - https://optcorp.com - San Diego CA - probably largest USA Retailer - home of TPO Brand (yet another GSO)
Starizona - https://starizona.com - Tucson AZ - Makers of the HyperStar system
Deep Space Products - https://www.deepspaceproducts.com - Home of the HyperTune Kits for EQ Mounts
Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird - https://www.buytelescopes.com - home of AstroMart
ADM Accessories - https://www.admaccessories.com - its how you get your Scope to stay atop your Mount
Precise Parts - https://www.preciseparts.com/ppmain/index.html - for when you need something milled to precision-fit
ScopeStuff - https://scopestuff.com - for all the "Little Bits" you never knew you needed

Canada:
O'Telescope - https://otelescope.com/store - Ottawa ON - Author of BackyardEOS / BackyardNIKON - and purveyor of high-end Astronomy gear
Brandon Optics - https://brandonoptics.com - Burnaby BC
Khan Scope Center - https://khanscope.com - Toronto ON
KW Telescope - https://kwtelescope.com - Kitchener ON
AstronomyPlus (aka Lire la Nature) - https://astronomyplus.com - Longueuil, QC
All-Star Telescope - https://www.all-startelescope.com - twixt Calgary and Red Deer (yes, I've been there...)

Online Used:
AstroMart - https://astromart.com - assoc Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird
CloudyNights - https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds - assoc Astronomics
AstroBuySell - https://astrobuysell.com - CAN/UK/AUS
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1873482632865645 - one of several Buy-Sell Groups

[gregl]

I'll suggest Orange County Telescope. I was loitering around the store and I was impressed when the owner talked a customer out of buying a telescope after determining that the customer was not ready for it. That struck me as some high integrity.

I've also had good customer service from the previously mentioned Explore Scientific and High Point Scientific.

[chris_g]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, awesome group here. Gives me plenty of choices and I've got plenty of time now with the delays and waiting for tax return and making sure I make the right choice in equipment, a lot to learn!!!

[OrigamiBat]

I recommend Agena Astro. 90% of my equipment has been acquired from them. Had an issue that was resolved in no time. I have tried a few more but couldn't recommend them.
Always keep an eye out for new stock and call to make sure their inventory is accurate.

I would say, Amazon is not the place for astronomy gear but they sure got a nice return policy.

[Bigzmey]

I recommend Agena Astro. 90% of my equipment has been acquired from them. Had an issue that was resolved in no time. I have tried a few more but couldn't recommend them.
Always keep an eye out for new stock and call to make sure their inventory is accurate.

I would say, Amazon is not the place for astronomy gear but they sure got a nice return policy.

AgenaAstro is hard to beat. They go extra mile to keep the customers happy. Free bolt case with every EP is a nice touch and their selection of adaptors, caps, equipment-specific screws, etc is second to none.

The only thing to keep in mind is that Agena and most of other astro retailers will charge you restocking fee and you also have to cover the shipping back if you want to return non-defective items.

Amazon keep offering more astronomy stuff and if you have Prime, fast shipment and free returns are nice. I bought a few astro items from them and can't complain.

[John Fitzgerald]

Add Land, Sea, and Sky (Takahashi America) in Houston, TX. They are very reputable, AFAIK. I have ordered in the past year or so, with great results, from Explore Scientific, Astronomics, Agena Astro, High Point, L.S.S., and Woodland Hills. I have ordered in the past from OPT, but recent reviews of OPT have turned towards negative.

[mikemarotta]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, awesome group here. Gives me plenty of choices and I've got plenty of time now with the delays and waiting for tax return and making sure I make the right choice in equipment, a lot to learn!!!

You got a lot of good suggestions. EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC founder Tom Roberts spoke to our local astonomy club (via Zoom) last autumn. He said that the international market in astronomy instruments is so small that less-than-quality does not survive. Everyone competes fairly well for customer service.
(Here https://explorescientificusa.com ). For himself, Roberts sponsors global star parties and otherwise supports the hobby. (Roberts estimated the global market at $250 million which pales compared to cosmetics, for example. Explore is the second-largest firm.)

As for sellers being out-of-stock, the impacts (plural) of Covid-19 were not just that China stopped shipping, and most stuff is made in China, but that stuck at home, millions of hobbyists took their telescopes out of the closets and attics and get involved again and others took the option to give themselves a new hobby.

[SkyHiker]

I have been waiting on OPT to deliver a 12" astrograph since Oct 1, over 5 months ago. Not saying that they are to blame or that other vendors would be quicker, given the Covid circumstances. I put in another order for imaging gear a few weeks ago, the order status is still unchanged. They have been inaccurate in their predictions when I called them (3x so far) so it is good if they now post a message that you can expect 4 to 6 months delay. I would not expect other vendors to magically be faster but one thing to check is if they have the gear that you ordered in stock. Ask them before you order. Also, if you are a member of an astronomy club, ask for a discount before you order if they have a program for that. It is harder to get a discount after the fact.

[pakarinen]

Did anybody mention eyepiecesetc.com?

I've had good service via Web order, but he does have a smaller selection of gear than some others.

[JayTee]

And the final two are
Adorama and
Telescope Warehouse.

Cheers,
JT

[SkyHiker]

After 5+ months of waiting for my 12" F/4 TPO astrograph from OPT I checked out Agena Astro yesterday morning, lo and behold they had a 12" F/4 GSO astrograph in stock. I ordered it, it will arrive this afternoon according to UPS!

I canceled the OPT order, they were kind and refunded me right away, no questions asked. I am not the kind of person to cancel orders but after the ETA was changed 3 times I felt justified. It is unusual, all astro vendors I dealt with are extremely good. OPT is no different as far as I know, they must just be having a hard time.

[turboscrew]

Watch out if you plan to order abroad. I ordered from England (kind of had to), and ended up paying about double of the list price: The shipping, customs and taxes. And it took some time, because the goods lingered in the customs a while.

goods: 228€
shipping: 64€
VAT: 59€
customs: 93€
total: 444€

[pakarinen]

I've ordered from FLO in the UK twice and the shipping wasn't much more than within the US. Granted, some US vendors don't charge shipping at all if it's within the US. Had to consider the exchange rate when comparing to US vendors. No customs hold-up AFAIK - maybe because I was buying less expensive items?

Probably best to ask any vendor(s) for a breakout of ALL the charges.