Looking for a Refractor

[planecrazzzy]

Sending BACK another Explore Scientific 102mm..
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This time B&H... last time Amazon...
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When I talked to B&H , I made a Specific request to get one that HASN'T been opened...
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First thing I saw when I got the box... It had been opened , then taped again.
I tipped the box... Things slide and bang...
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I'd like to get this done... I'll check it out . ( I called B&H before I even opened it.)
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So it sort of looks ok... bounces around but no scratches ?
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I looked at the objective Lense , I saw some light dust , looking for finger prints.

That's when I started seeing spots... Spots on the INSIDE of the Objective Lense.

It looked like the Lense COATING was bad...
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So it's DEFINITELY going back...
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I'm thinking about finding a different scope... Still in the 100mm range .
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I'm gonna look at the one someone suggested earlier in this thread.
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Gotta Fly...
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[Juno16]

Hi pc,

Dang, such a shame and disappointment!

It’s been years ago (2018, but I had great service when I bought mine directly from ES.

If you do decide to go that route, call and speak directly with someone.

I don’t know if you are getting a better price than 1199 and free shipping, but based on my experience then, I would recommend dealing directly with ES.

[SkyHiker]

Hi pc,

Dang, such a shame and disappointment!

It’s been years ago (2018, but I had great service when I bought mine directly from ES.

If you do decide to go that route, call and speak directly with someone.

I don’t know if you are getting a better price than 1199 and free shipping, but based on my experience then, I would recommend dealing directly with ES.

Ditto that. ES is very good and they have an interest in a smooth delivery process.

[planecrazzzy]

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Today.... I bought ANOTHER ES 102MM.... This is the third one.
I was returning the last one when I decided to call them and ask WHY
The only thing I had requested ( Besides a discount -$100 off )
Was that the box be original / Never Opened...
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I called and asked about it...
The Guy said they open them sometimes in the store...
He said the store has NONE as of right now , So my next one comes from the Warehouse.
They don't open them there...
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I really want this scope...
I was looking around this morning...without much interest in some of the other choices...
and I DON'T want to go bigger... For the sake of my AVX mount.
I feel my 6" newt or this 102mm Refractor are already pushing the limit. ( With their accessories )
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I almost considered 80mm Triplet
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Maybe later...I'm sure they are fun too.
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Monday is when I get it...
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Gotta Fly...
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[Lady Fraktor]

So you know, there is nothing wrong with a opened and re-taped box with apo refractors that are originally shipped from China.
The lens cell has shipping screws installed at factory so the lenses stay in collimation during its lengthy land and ocean voyage.
Normally once they arrive, the box is opened and screws removed. They also check to make sure all included accessories are in the box.
If the re-taped box arrives with no damage to the telescope, all is good.
The only telescopes that are normally not opened are achromats as they do not require removal of shipping screws.

You can find many threads online from people receiving their ES apochromats that have not had the shipping screws removed, it looks like the telescope has pinched optics.

[planecrazzzy]

So you know, there is nothing wrong with a opened and re-taped box with apo refractors that are originally shipped from China.
The lens cell has shipping screws installed at the factory, so the lenses stay in collimation during its lengthy land and ocean voyage.
Normally once they arrive, the box is opened and screws removed. They also check to make sure all included accessories are in the box.
If the re-taped box arrives with no damage to the telescope, all is good.
The only telescopes that are normally not opened are achromats as they do not require removal of shipping screws.

You can find many threads online from people receiving their ES apochromats that have not had the shipping screws removed, it looks like the telescope has pinched optics.

I didn't know about shipping screws , I haven't seen much paperwork with the telescopes...
and no mention of removing screws.

Colmination , something I've been worried about was these scopes having about 4-5 inches of travel in the box. (Bang)
That a bounce or two would bump it's alignment.
I'll need to research the screws.
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No matter , the last one had spots inside the Objective...Not just a spot.
But a kind of Flower in the coating....multiple small flowers...
I didn't study it long... about 4 or 5 of them.... Little rainbow flowers
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I could only guess it was coating blemishes .
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I'm really hoping the next one is good.
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[Lady Fraktor]

They (ES) do not mention it anywhere, just from various postings over the years where people have had to contact them about their removal.
It is a simple job but not one a new owner should have to do.
Granted I would not accept a brand new refractor with water spots or coatings issues on the rear or between elements.

I was just meaning not to be to worried about a re-taped box as generally it does not mean much.

[Bigzmey]

I had a couple of ES triplets (both purchased directly from ES store). They were shipped carefully packed in foamed hard cases, but the shipping boxes were opened and re-taped. As Gabby already mentioned it is good practice adapted by many retailers to inspect telescopes arriving from China to make sure they are in a good shape, before sending them to customers.

It was pre COVID though. Post COVID consumer tech in general seems to have more issues. If I would have issues with two brand new scopes of the same model in a row from two different vendors, I would not buy a 3d one. There are plenty of models to choose from, there is nothing special about ES scopes. In fact their Essential APO line is of older design lacking features which are standard on other models similarly priced.

[planecrazzzy]

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I'm not sending it back...
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I got the new scope this morning.
As I "Tipped" the box , it was a little loose ,but the best one.
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The Tube Ring mount needs going over , but I put it on the mount to see how she looks.
The focuser isn't smooth , in fact it's rubbing and ....needs looking at...
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HOLY CRAP , I'm glad it didn't fall off ( The Focuser )
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I put the scope back on the bench , it looked "BENT" ( WTF )
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I needed to get my metric allen wrenches ...
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So....never knew about this feature with the other scopes... but this is a quick adjustment.
instead of loosening the tube rings and twisting the OTA , the end just swivels...
3 allens hold it in place ( Beveled ) the thumb screw secures it...
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They didn't have it right at the factory , so fixing it I got a chance to see how it worked .
Otherwise, it looked like an area I shouldn't open.
.
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I'm Still mess'n with it...She's gonna be my Favorite for a while.
I'm expecting good things in her "Range"
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and this AVX mount saves a lot of set-up time. (WOW-Starsense and Wifi)
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Gotta Fly...
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PS Light Surgery later this week , I won't be able to lift 10 lbs for a few weeks...( I think the scope is 9.6 )
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[Bigzmey]

.
I'm not sending it back...
.
I got the new scope this morning.
As I "Tipped" the box , it was a little loose ,but the best one.
.
The Tube Ring mount needs going over , but I put it on the mount to see how she looks.
The focuser isn't smooth , in fact it's rubbing and ....needs looking at...
.
HOLY CRAP , I'm glad it didn't fall off ( The Focuser )
.
I put the scope back on the bench , it looked "BENT" ( WTF )
.
I needed to get my metric allen wrenches ...
.
So....never knew about this feature with the other scopes... but this is a quick adjustment.
instead of loosening the tube rings and twisting the OTA , the end just swivels...
3 allens hold it in place ( Beveled ) the thumb screw secures it...
.
They didn't have it right at the factory , so fixing it I got a chance to see how it worked .
Otherwise, it looked like an area I shouldn't open.
.
.
I'm Still mess'n with it...She's gonna be my Favorite for a while.
I'm expecting good things in her "Range"
.
and this AVX mount saves a lot of set-up time. (WOW-Starsense and Wifi)
.
Gotta Fly...
.
PS Light Surgery later this week , I won't be able to lift 10 lbs for a few weeks...( I think it's 9.6 )
.

This is one of the mechanical issues with ES APO scopes. The rotation mechanism on the focuser is flimsy with weak holding screws and thin metal.

[planecrazzzy]

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A Song that describes my new Girl...
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Gotta Flyy.
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