Telescope Reviews: Favorite vendors?

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planet earth
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/07/10

Loc: Ontario

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Cotts]
#5529356 - 11/20/12 04:11 AM

Here's another option in Canada
http://www.lirelanature.com/
Sam

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Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/09/09

Loc: Newington, CT

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: planet earth]
#5529529 - 11/20/12 07:46 AM

Again, thanks all for your feedback. I'm asked occasionally for recommendations by friends and family who are thinking about getting into the hobby, and I wanted to be able to refer them to a number of places. I didn't 100% trust my own experiences since I have dealt with so few vendors to date.

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George N
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/19/06

Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Thomas Karpf]
#5539606 - 11/25/12 11:16 PM

Is "NEAF" a vendor???? That's were I buy everything....

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aezoss
member

Reged: 03/27/11

Loc: Alberta, Canada

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: planet earth]
#5539745 - 11/26/12 02:10 AM

+1 Lire La Nature as well as All-Star Telescope, Alberta Premium Optics, Canadian Telescopes, Agena Astro, Astro-zap and Orion.

Good experiences with all of these vendors, although brokerage fees have been highly variable for items entering Canada from the US.

Lee

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FirstSight
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/05

Loc: Raleigh, NC

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: aezoss]
#5539952 - 11/26/12 09:02 AM

For on-line vendors, Astronomics.com generally or ScopeSuff.com for scope mod parts. For brick-and-mortar vendors, fortunately in Raleigh, NC whe have a professional camera supply store that has a bona fide astro section (and is a Televue dealer with lots in-stock), Southeastern Camera (at their Atlantic Avenue store). They go to NEAF and Winter Star Party every year as vendors, although I suspect as much to make these pleasurable junkets tax-deductible as to actually make $$$.

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daveingu
sage

Reged: 01/24/09

Loc: Guelph, ON Canada

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: FirstSight]
#5540004 - 11/26/12 09:53 AM

Another great source for Canadians is KW Telescope, I have had great experiences with Brady and Brian, always helpful. Prices are competitive and stock is usually pretty good too!
Dave

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Pauls72
sage

Reged: 10/28/07

Loc: LaPorte, IN

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: daveingu]
#5540268 - 11/26/12 12:58 PM

I've used the following and have had good dealings with all of them.
OPT (Oceanside Photo and Telescope)
High Point Scientific
Agena Astro
Scopestuff
Orion
Garrett Optical
I've had indirect dealings through our club with Hands On Optics and they where good to work with too.

Being the prices are usually fairly close, most of time who has it in stock or the cost of shipping something will sway me as to who to use.

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csrlice12
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Pauls72]
#5540274 - 11/26/12 01:04 PM

Have had really good results with Telescopes.net (Woodland Hills Camera in CA). They are also a "recommended Dealer" by Televue and other major mfgrs.

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skullpin
sage

Reged: 03/13/09

Loc: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: daveingu]
#5540477 - 11/26/12 03:09 PM

I can also vouch for KW Scope in Canada. Last March, they got me some Takahashi UW eyepieces for a competitive rate (when duties are accounted for).

Apparently they absorbed Perceptor's assets last year when John Kidner retired. Perhaps that was a vote of confidence from a long trusted name amongst Canadian vendors. I dealt with John last year just before he retired and he was a cool guy.

Keith

edit: My mistake, it was Jerry Wright who last owned Perceptor and who I dealt with... sorry Jerry! No change otherwise to the sentiment here.

Edited by skullpin (11/27/12 05:09 AM)

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hottr6
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/28/09

Loc: 7,500', Magdalena Mtns, NM

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Thomas Karpf]
#5540839 - 11/26/12 07:12 PM

for Agena Astro.

Ordered on Black Fri. Arrived Cyber Monday.

Post Extras:

rgm40
sage

Reged: 04/15/08

Loc: Western Kentucky

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: hottr6]
#5541024 - 11/26/12 08:53 PM

I visit these sites frequently and would not hesitate to order from any of these (in no particular order):

Astronomics, Agena Astro, EyepiecesEct,University Optics, Telescope.com (Orion), Telescopes.com (Hayneedle). Best of luck to Don and EyepiecesEct.com. Looks like his new website has really gotten off to a good start. Looking forward to doing business there in the future.

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la200o
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/09/08

Loc: SE Michigan, USA

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: mountain monk]
#5541026 - 11/26/12 08:54 PM

Astronomics, OPT.

Bill

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Grandpa Jim
old fogey

Reged: 08/04/12

Loc: GREAT AMERICAN DESERT

Re: Favorite vendors? [Re: hottr6]
#5541050 - 11/26/12 09:09 PM

Quote:

for Agena Astro.

Ordered on Black Fri. Arrived Cyber Monday.

AGREED!!............HANDS DOWN!! THE BEST customer service I have received from ANY vendor for quite some time, BAR NONE.
There are a couple others on here that get "top billing" that I did not have such a good experience with, can't say that about "Agena Astro" at all. The others just lost a customer.........course, you can't lose what you didn't work hard enough to get in the first place...................

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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/05

Loc: Virginia

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Grandpa Jim]
#5541597 - 11/27/12 07:25 AM

"Specialty" (boutique) vendors: Astro-Physics for very professional sales and service (real straight shooters) and Discmounts, because Tom Peters will go out of his way to be helpful, not only before a sale but also long after it. Bob Luffel at Alpine-Astro is also a great guy to deal with. Ken Hugett at Solarscope on Isle of Man has to be my favorite non-USA vendor for after sale service - Serge Antonov at AstroDevices is another. Its always great to talk with the guys who basically own the company, make/use the innovative products they sell and welcome some feedback.

General astro vendors: Astronomics, OPT and a big thumbs-up for Agena Astro.

Favorite "big box" astro/binoc vendors: Hayneedle, Eagle-Optics, Adorama and B&H. Sometimes you just need a better price or easier terms (when they offer them).

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AhBok
sage

Reged: 12/02/10

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Grandpa Jim]
#5541720 - 11/27/12 09:30 AM

Quote:

Quote:

for Agena Astro.

Ordered on Black Fri. Arrived Cyber Monday.

AGREED!!............HANDS DOWN!! THE BEST customer service I have received from ANY vendor for quite some time, BAR NONE.
There are a couple others on here that get "top billing" that I did not have such a good experience with, can't say that about "Agena Astro" at all. The others just lost a customer.........course, you can't lose what you didn't work hard enough to get in the first place...................

Great to see you posting here, Manish!

. . . Just kidding

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Raginar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/19/10

Loc: Rapid CIty, SD

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: mountain monk]
#5541842 - 11/27/12 10:45 AM

Astronomics and Agena Astro.

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Erik30
member

Reged: 10/16/12

Loc: Cottage Grove, MN

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Raginar]
#5542327 - 11/27/12 03:22 PM

Astronomics and Starlight Xpress for there customer support.. A++

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frolinmod
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/06/10

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Erik30]
#5542386 - 11/27/12 04:06 PM

My number one most "go to" dealer hands down is Oceanside Photo and Telescope.

Although you might think the following is a list of everyone I've ever purchased anything from, it's not even anywhere near close to that. My list of only the most helpful trusted vendors and dealers is (in alphabetical order):

ADM Accessories
Agena Astro
Astromart (for used equipment buying and selling)
Astronomics
AstroZap
CameraBug
DigiKey
Lunt Solar Systems
Monoprice
Mouser
Oceanside Photo and Telescope
Optec
Powerwerx
PreciseParts
Rigel Systems
ScopeStuff
Software Bisque
Starizona
Starlight Instruments
Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope

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wolfman_4_ever
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/15/11

Loc: El Segundo, Ca, So. Cal

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Erik30]
#5542387 - 11/27/12 04:06 PM

Starlight Xpress, Telescoop Service (TDM), Mallincam (And Rock and I don't see eye to eye)

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M13 Observer
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/09/06

Re: Favorite vendors? new

[Re: Doug D.]
#5542469 - 11/27/12 04:56 PM

Quote:

"Specialty" (boutique) vendors: Astro-Physics for very professional sales and service (real straight shooters) and Discmounts, because Tom Peters will go out of his way to be helpful, not only before a sale but also long after it. Bob Luffel at Alpine-Astro is also a great guy to deal with. Ken Hugett at Solarscope on Isle of Man has to be my favorite non-USA vendor for after sale service - Serge Antonov at AstroDevices is another. Its always great to talk with the guys who basically own the company, make/use the innovative products they sell and welcome some feedback.

General astro vendors: Astronomics, OPT and a big thumbs-up for Agena Astro.

Favorite "big box" astro/binoc vendors: Hayneedle, Eagle-Optics, Adorama and B&H. Sometimes you just need a better price or easier terms (when they offer them).

A definite and most enthusiastic thumbs up to Astro-Physics. Nothing but the highest quality of service from them for 12 plus years. Same thing for Bob Luffel of Alpine Astro. I have only had one purchase with Serge at Astro-Devices but he is super to work with as well and stands firmly behind his product. I have also had great service from Ashley with Precise Parts and the folks with FLI. Rob Miller and his tripods come to mind as well.

For larger vendors, I would have to say OPT has been my choice of retailer for most other items as they have flexible shipping choices and work with me to find the best method for the item.

Post Extras:

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