hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
#5367384 - 08/13/12 09:38 PM Attachment (60 downloads)
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I moved my telescopes to their new home yesterday, out of my workshop and into a small vinyl shed sheltered (mostly) under the eave alongside the shop. But when I set the base of my XT12i in the shed, I realized I was looking at a space where I wasn't sure there should be one. On the side across from the encoders, where the tension bolt attached to the bearings on the scope, there's just an open recess - I've attached a photo. I don't remember if something was there before, so I don't know if something dropped out while I was carrying the base, or if that's just how it's made. In the picture, you can see the two teflon sliders, with the hole in between.  Maybe someone who owns an XT12i (or XT10i, I suspect they're much the same) could look at theirs and tell me??
Thanks,
Harry
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AZstar
member
Reged: 07/25/10
Loc: AZ
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5367584 - 08/13/12 11:57 PM Attachment (35 downloads)
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Hello Harry,
There should be a teflon bushing on this side.
The other side has none as the encoder shaft protrudes through it.
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: AZstar]
#5368184 - 08/14/12 11:57 AM
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Thanks. Hopefully I can find it, or maybe Orion will have one lying around.
Harry
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csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5368209 - 08/14/12 12:11 PM
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Ouch, you will need it for the scope to work too. Otherwise it's just going to drop when you move it from the zenith position. In the interim, you might be able to make a temporary one from a thick plastic jug lid.
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: csrlice12]
#5368278 - 08/14/12 12:41 PM
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Just got finished with an online chat session with Orion. Since I bought the scope used, and not from them, they don't seem overly inclined to help me get a replacement if I can't find the piece. That surprises me just a little.
Harry
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csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5368351 - 08/14/12 01:18 PM
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Orion is really weird in that they don't sell their mounts separate from their scopes. Don't know why, even my scope shop has told me that. It's hard to tell from your pics, but is the part missing the hand bolt and teflon washer or the white Teflon "guide" that fits in the hode in the base that the hand bolt goes thru. If it is the bolt/washer, the washer can be made from various plastic materials (milk jugs, etc...). While they don't last as long, they'll work for awhile, and are cheap to replace (WARNING: Drink the milk BEFORE you cut out the piece, otheriwise she'll give you that WTH you doing now look). You might even check a local brick and morter scope shop if you are lucky enough to have one around.
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coopman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/23/06
Loc: South Louisiana
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: csrlice12]
#5368814 - 08/14/12 06:10 PM
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Unfortunately, this is their policy. It has made me refrain from ever buying any of their products used.
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AZstar
member
Reged: 07/25/10
Loc: AZ
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: coopman]
#5369349 - 08/15/12 12:13 AM
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Harry,
You could make the teflon bushing pretty easily.
McMaster Carr sells a teflon tube that's 5/8" OD x 3/8" ID
P/N 8547K26. ( these are a little oversized on the OD and undersized on the ID)
It runs about $12 /ft.
For reference, the bushing in mine measures .630" OD x .375" ID
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: AZstar]
#5369695 - 08/15/12 08:46 AM
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Quote:
Harry,
For reference, the bushing in mine measures .630" OD x .375" ID
Thanks much, this is exactly what I wanted to know. The Orion rep wouldn't even give me that information!
Harry
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Peter B
member
Reged: 04/17/07
Loc: Parker, Colorado
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5370119 - 08/15/12 01:10 PM
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This may be a dumb question but, is there any chance that it is stuck to the tension bolt?
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: Peter B]
#5370206 - 08/15/12 02:12 PM
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Ha! I did think of that, but I have inspected the bolt thoroughly! Since it doesn't look like Orion is going to offer any further assistance, I'm planning on a trip to Home Depot tonight to see what they might have. I'm really disappointed in Orion, though - my past experience with them has always been very good. And I wasn't asking them to give me the part, I made it clear I wanted to buy it.
Harry
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Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Loc: NC
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5370296 - 08/15/12 03:29 PM
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Just a thought, but if you remember who the previous owner of the scope was (and you're on friendly terms with this person), maybe you could see if the original owner of the scope would be willing to contact Orion to see if they'd be willing to sell him or her the part? Or try calling Orion again, but this time don't tell them that you purchased the scope used? Of course, I have no idea if they keep a database of original purchasers or not. But even if they have such a database listing everyone who purchased gear directly from Orion, I can't imagine that they know the names of everyone who purchased gear through one of their dealers. 
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: Scott in NC]
#5370419 - 08/15/12 05:12 PM
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Here's their final, official word:
"Dear Harry:
Thank you for contacting Orion.
Thank you.
Did you purchase the XT12i from Orion or one of our dealers? I'm not seeing you in our database.
Policy on selling parts:
We understand that situations may arise where the purchase of a part may be necessary. Due to the vast array of small component and machined parts that make up our product line it is neither practical or profitable to maintain a
complete inventory of spare parts for individual retail sale. We are committed to providing the highest level of support possible to our customer base and will attempt to accommodate any request we can. Proof of purchase is required for the product for which the part is requested from Orion directly, or an Authorized Orion Dealer. Third party purchases are not supported.
We apologize for any disappointment that may be caused.
Clear skies and good observing,
Rich N."
Doesn't exactly generate warm fuzzies on the part of their customers, does it?
Harry
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Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Loc: NC
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5370513 - 08/15/12 06:09 PM
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Hmm...I've bought a few things from Orion over the years, but doubt I could find the original "proof of purchase" if I ever needed it. But maybe if they have a buyer listed in their database, that would be sufficient. I just hope nothing ever happens to my Orion XT12i that causes me to need a spare part. A few years ago I needed a spare part for my 4.5" Starblast dob, and was able to acquire it without any problems. They didn't even ask any questions, as I recall. I guess I lucked out that that episode happened prior to the time when they changed their policy.
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hboswell
member
Reged: 04/30/09
Loc: Mississippi, USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: Scott in NC]
#5370661 - 08/15/12 08:23 PM
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Well, the ending looks like it will be happy, even if it won't be from Orion. I found a bushing at Lowe's that fits almost exactly - it's very slightly smaller (like .625 instead of .630) than the opening, but I think maybe a wrap of electrical tape, or maybe just a very thin layer of caulk will set it. And the bolt fits nicely through it.
Harry
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Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Loc: NC
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: hboswell]
#5370719 - 08/15/12 09:17 PM
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Great news, Harry! I'm glad to hear that you found something that looks like it's going to work. Be sure to let us know whether or not it does the trick.
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amicus sidera
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/14/11
Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M...
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: coopman]
#5372245 - 08/16/12 10:15 PM
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Quote:
Unfortunately, this is their policy. It has made me refrain from ever buying any of their products used.
Unfortunately, this is their policy. It has made me refrain from ever buying any of their products.
Clay's statement modified to reflect my own views. 
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B. Cook
sage
Reged: 10/18/10
Loc: Burson Ca.
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: amicus sidera]
#5372262 - 08/16/12 10:31 PM
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If thats the side where the intelliscope control cable plugs into all there is is a teflon washer about an inch in diameter when the knob is tightened it controls the friction on the elevation up and down.. The white teflon bushing you are looking at is just a bushing so the threads of the knob and bolt are not resting on the pressboard side wall .If it was not there it would be a enlongated hole in no time My XX14i and my previous XX12i have or had the exact same bushing and knob and flat teflon washer which is about 1/8 inch thick and has a thin stainless flat washer between the back of the knob and the teflon washer You should be able to find one at a good hardware store. The knob has a 1/4 inch threaded shaft. Bill
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: amicus sidera]
#5375267 - 08/18/12 10:24 PM
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I don't understand not buying FROM ORION due to this policy. If you buy an Orion product used, other than from Orion of an authorized dealer, I understand how this policy would adversely affect you. But if you bought from Orion or a dealer, the policy has ZERO impact on you. Orion's customer service for folks who are actual Orion customers (i.e., bought from Orion rather than on the aftermarket) is second to none.
I've had issues with a number of items purchased new from Orion. Unlike companies like Celstron and Meade, Orion didn't require me to send anything back; instead replacing major components (such as a 12" Dob's groundboard) no questions asked and express shipping it to my door. They didn't even want the defective board back.
Moral of the story - if you don't like the policy, don't buy used, buy new, and then the policy is irrelevant to you.
Regards,
Jim
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mmclure
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/30/10
Loc: Sacramento, CA USA
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Re: Orion XT12i - am I missing a piece?
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5378144 - 08/20/12 06:35 PM
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For me it's a matter of principle. Having worked in Technical Support for many years, we always had a philosophy of "help the customer first, figure out whether they're supported afterwards". I expect the same from the companies I do business with. Since Orion did not support me when I came to them asking to purchase a spare part, I refuse to give them a single cent of my money.
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