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Actually....this very scope, from North Group, has received high praise from numerous amateur astronomers in Australia. Check out the "Ice In Space" forum. So, if you were to purchase this scope, you would probably be happy. HOWEVER, one can reasonably assume that, at this price point, it is a bit of a risk to purchase this scope from North Group. If you did have a problem, sending it back to China for repair/refund may be impractical. BTW, this is basically the same scope sold by Explore Scientific in the USA for $2000. For the extra bucks, one gets a higher order of quality control (or so I believe) and someone to call if a problem is encountered. I can personally vouch for the very fine customer service at Explore Scientific.

Ennis

Sky-Watcher Pro 120ED
35 Panoptic
Several Radians and Stratuses

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Would you please provide links to those threads?

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I no longer have the links to those threads, but they're there. You can look for them, if you're interested. If you cannot find them, then post a new thread there. You will get plenty of responses. I did when I posted questions about the 127ED.

The Australians are very helpful, friendly, and polite.

Ennis

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Most of these 127 triplets on the market to date have the retractable sliding dewshield as does my 1 1/2 year old "Astro-Tech/Meade". As far as I can tell, Explore Scientific 127 triplets were the first to use a reversible dewshield. Whether all these scopes going forward under other brand names will have reversible dewshields someone else needs to answer that question.
Regarding the low price, last year on the Austrailian astro site, posters were talking about how they ordered directly from the factory in China and did get decent scopes while saving big bucks. Not something I would do, but to each his own.

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Why is it that folks around here find it so easy to look at a photo, figure that the thing in the picture appears to be similar to another scope they know, and presume to be in a position to advise?

Regards,

skybsd

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Many here are "equipment junkies" I would surmise. There are only so many Chinese built 127mm triplets with blue trim floating around. The scope in the OP's photo is 100% identical to my Astro-Tech (made originally for Meade)and identical to the photos of Meade 127 triplets posted here. Same manufacturer, same scope. Follow the refractor forum long enough and closely enough and you'll easily spot enough commonality in equipment. Various marketing brands are made by a handful of factories.

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See.., this is where things get kinda funny.

I am quite aware of the almost "family" tree of M.I.C.'d telescope and optical components that are floating around in the various guises.

So whilst I see your point - at the same time, many would also get into (zealous, even) emotional exchanges where the samples in question center on whether or not scopes and accessories sold elsewhere, under various names are actually the same products as "certain other" named scopes and accessories.

Thus, one is left with the impression that there are some names to which the same logic of "looks like, smells like" does not apply?

Thanks.

Regards,

skybsd

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It's not always speculation skybsd, sometimes you get to see some factory pics which pretty much confirm what is suspected. I quick search finds these pics which show Maxvision and Meade products being built in the Kunming Jinghau factory. I've seen the meade 127 triplets in some shots side by side with the Maxvsion equivalents somewhere else in the past as well.

(warning, lots of pics in link)
link

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Here's a translated version of his link.

Not for nothing, but from that Ice in space thread regarding direct purchase. I followed that thread to the end. Those guys received the EXACT same scope that Meade Europe is selling in the UK. Also sold under a few other brand names engraved, or silk screened on the OTA somewhere.

The main difference, was that the scope purchased had no branding, and the optical quality seemed to be as good, if not equal to, the branded ones.. Not one complaint from anyone who bought direct that I've been able to find.

BTW, direct cost for that OTA shipped is under 1,200 USD FOB, door to door, one piece only.

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Mark

Lost in thought. Please send search party!!!

Astro-Tech 111EDT
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory

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Most of these 127 triplets on the market to date have the retractable sliding dewshield as does my 1 1/2 year old "Astro-Tech/Meade". As far as I can tell, Explore Scientific 127 triplets were the first to use a reversible dewshield.

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