Looking for a Refractor
- planecrazzzy
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
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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
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
Dang, such a shame and disappointment!
It’s been years ago (2018, but I had great service when I bought mine directly from
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
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
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- SkyHiker
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
Ditto that.Juno16 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:53 am 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.
- planecrazzzy
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
Today.... I bought ANOTHER
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
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
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
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
- planecrazzzy
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Nov 10, 2022 8:57 pm 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
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
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.
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
- Bigzmey Online
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
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
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Delos, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3122 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2196, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
- planecrazzzy
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
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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
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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- Bigzmey Online
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
This is one of the mechanical issues withplanecrazzzy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 14, 2022 5:26 pm
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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 )
.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Delos, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3122 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2196, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
- planecrazzzy
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Re: Looking for a Refractor
A Song that describes my new Girl...
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Gotta Flyy.
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