223 replies to this topic

[Lana Try]

 

 

I probably missed this somewhere but what kind of warranty is offered on the scopes?

 

Thanks again...

Warranty is 5 years on optics and mechanics (no defects under normal use). No warranty on modified, misused, abused... units. Repair is provided on individual basis if needed.      

 

Thank you, Lana.

 

Please clarify this theoretical scenario...

 

I replace the focuser and the coatings start to fail on the glass, the warranty is void since I replaced the focuser?

 

Thanks...

 

Replacing the focuser will not void the warranty if it is done properly. Thanks.

[jeremiah2229]

 

 

 

I probably missed this somewhere but what kind of warranty is offered on the scopes?

 

Thanks again...

Warranty is 5 years on optics and mechanics (no defects under normal use). No warranty on modified, misused, abused... units. Repair is provided on individual basis if needed.      

 

Thank you, Lana.

 

Please clarify this theoretical scenario...

 

I replace the focuser and the coatings start to fail on the glass, the warranty is void since I replaced the focuser?

 

Thanks...

 

Replacing the focuser will not void the warranty if it is done properly. Thanks.

 

Thank you.

[salico]

Wow, impressive concept using Fluorite Doublets! Very interesting for me as a visual observer. If I hadn't had blown all my money on other scopes recently, I'd definitively consider to order one... will there be any vendors in Europe/ Germany to offer them?

 

Maiko

[Edward Try]

Wow, impressive concept using Fluorite Doublets! Very interesting for me as a visual observer. If I hadn't had blown all my money on other scopes recently, I'd definitively consider to order one... will there be any vendors in Europe/ Germany to offer them?

 

Maiko

Thank you, Maiko!

We are working on getting a dealer in Europe. 

Ed

[salico]

thank you, Ed!

[ThomasM]

 

Very nice to see another top notch US optical company! Eduard, I do have a few of your optics already: TEC 6 and TEC 8 MCs.

 

Do you have any plans for making fast scopes (say faster than F5) for us imagers? 

 

I for one will be watching your company with great interest!

 

--Ram

Ram,

I am very glad you like my optics! 

I have some ideas for fast ones: 130 mm F5 and 155 mm F6.3 with diffraction field about 60 mm diagonal and great color correction... but later. 

Regards,

Eduard

 

The fast ones look very interesting, will there be a large fast, for example 180 mm f6.5? If yes, just to get an idea, what would such lens weight?

 

Regards

 

Thomas

[AndreyYa]

Ed, 

 

could you please add some more details about field flatteners? Spot sizes on/off axis would be in a great help.

 

Let me support Ram's question about faster versions. Any plans for flattener/reducer?

Modern CMOS cameras with small pixel and low readout noise become more and more popular, so it requires faster optics (I mean seeing limited spots, not diffractive ones) ... 

 

Thank you,

Andrey.

Edited by AndreyYa, 21 December 2016 - 05:07 PM.

[Edward Try]

 

 

Very nice to see another top notch US optical company! Eduard, I do have a few of your optics already: TEC 6 and TEC 8 MCs.

 

Do you have any plans for making fast scopes (say faster than F5) for us imagers? 

 

I for one will be watching your company with great interest!

 

--Ram

Ram,

I am very glad you like my optics! 

I have some ideas for fast ones: 130 mm F5 and 155 mm F6.3 with diffraction field about 60 mm diagonal and great color correction... but later. 

Regards,

Eduard

 

The fast ones look very interesting, will there be a large fast, for example 180 mm f6.5? If yes, just to get an idea, what would such lens weight?

 

Regards

 

Thomas

 

Thomas, 

We are planning to do an astro-photography model: 180mm F6.3 but it is not in development yet.

Thanks,

Ed 

[Edward Try]

Ed, 

 

could you please add some more details about field flatteners? Spot sizes on/off axis would be in a great help.

 

Let me support Ram's question about faster versions. Any plans for flattener/reducer?

Modern CMOS cameras with small pixel and low readout noise become more and more popular, so it requires faster optics (I mean seeing limited spots, not diffractive ones) ... 

 

Thank you,

Andrey.

Hi Andrey,

RMS on axis is 2.8mkm; off axis is 6.8mkm. If the system provides around diffraction limit on whole field, the geometrical approximation gives not accurate information about distributing the light in the spots. Additional to that, the wave aberrations and diffraction have to be taken into account. By the way, color correction with FF is the same as without it. 

Thanks,

Ed 

[Niklo]

 

 

 

Very nice to see another top notch US optical company! Eduard, I do have a few of your optics already: TEC 6 and TEC 8 MCs.

 

Do you have any plans for making fast scopes (say faster than F5) for us imagers? 

 

I for one will be watching your company with great interest!

 

--Ram

Ram,

I am very glad you like my optics! 

I have some ideas for fast ones: 130 mm F5 and 155 mm F6.3 with diffraction field about 60 mm diagonal and great color correction... but later. 

Regards,

Eduard

 

The fast ones look very interesting, will there be a large fast, for example 180 mm f6.5? If yes, just to get an idea, what would such lens weight?

 

Regards

 

Thomas

 

Thomas, 

We are planning to do an astro-photography model: 180mm F6.3 but it is not in development yet.

Thanks,

Ed 

 

Hello Ed,

I would rather stay with slow doublets and best colour correction. The fast doublets are always a compromise and make things difficult.

Clear skies,

  Roland

[Edward Try]

 

 

 

 

Very nice to see another top notch US optical company! Eduard, I do have a few of your optics already: TEC 6 and TEC 8 MCs.

 

Do you have any plans for making fast scopes (say faster than F5) for us imagers? 

 

I for one will be watching your company with great interest!

 

--Ram

Ram,

I am very glad you like my optics! 

I have some ideas for fast ones: 130 mm F5 and 155 mm F6.3 with diffraction field about 60 mm diagonal and great color correction... but later. 

Regards,

Eduard

 

The fast ones look very interesting, will there be a large fast, for example 180 mm f6.5? If yes, just to get an idea, what would such lens weight?

 

Regards

 

Thomas

 

Thomas, 

We are planning to do an astro-photography model: 180mm F6.3 but it is not in development yet.

Thanks,

Ed 

 

Hello Ed,

I would rather stay with slow doublets and best colour correction. The fast doublets are always a compromise and make things difficult.

Clear skies,

  Roland

 

Roland, this 180 mm F6.3 model is not a doublet. Ed

[Lana Try]

We now have a dealer in European Union: Astroshop.
Please check our page for more information.
Thanks,

Lana

[Omegon_Tassilo]

Dear Lana and Edward,

 

thank you for your support and the official statement. We are looking forward to have a long and successful partnership.

 

A healthy and successful 2017 to you all!

 

Tassilo

[ThomasM]

 

nicknacknock, on 10 Dec 2016 - 08:35 AM, said:

Ed,
 
I feel the need to ask. How come you don't make a 120mm doublet to compete with the Tak TSA120 but for visual only? Along with a lighter tube and focuser (2.5" FTF would be great), it would be a dream come true for many of us visual people. I really don't need a triplet, but I do want a larger aperture than my Tak FC76DC and my Borg 90FL.
 
While I am considering the Tak TSA 120, I am all for considering a 120mm doublet of similar focal ratio if you decide to come out with one. If you can get the colour correction at a larger aperture and shorter focal length, it should be much easier and hopefully quite less expensive to produce.
 
Just thinking out loud here... 

Hi Nick,
Let me take over from Ed here.
We can consider your wish and make 120 mm fluorite doublet happen. It will be visual only! Edwards' SD design has a great potential - look at the Strehl graph below he calculated today for 120 SD F9. Already like it??

This can happen under one condition: we can start a special run but the min quantity has to be 25 units. Only with at least 25 upfront orders we can give you affordable price. Unfortunately a smaller run doesn't make sense due to the price that  is not going to be attractive for you in this case as we have to do production set up for a new model.  

Who is interested - they can choose the parameters they want: F8, F9... 

Let me know if you have any further questions,

Lana

 

Lana,

 

this is very impressive, since fluorite doublelt have only very few paramerter, what is the secret how you get such performance which is significant superior to the Takahashi fluorite apos? Then, if the customers can choese, is there an option for fast large apos, e.g. 180 f/5 or so, a  visual wide field apo, off course with less perfect color correction?

 

best regards

 

Thomas

[Lana Try]

 

 

nicknacknock, on 10 Dec 2016 - 08:35 AM, said:

Ed,
 
I feel the need to ask. How come you don't make a 120mm doublet to compete with the Tak TSA120 but for visual only? Along with a lighter tube and focuser (2.5" FTF would be great), it would be a dream come true for many of us visual people. I really don't need a triplet, but I do want a larger aperture than my Tak FC76DC and my Borg 90FL.
 
While I am considering the Tak TSA 120, I am all for considering a 120mm doublet of similar focal ratio if you decide to come out with one. If you can get the colour correction at a larger aperture and shorter focal length, it should be much easier and hopefully quite less expensive to produce.
 
Just thinking out loud here... 

Hi Nick,
Let me take over from Ed here.
We can consider your wish and make 120 mm fluorite doublet happen. It will be visual only! Edwards' SD design has a great potential - look at the Strehl graph below he calculated today for 120 SD F9. Already like it??

This can happen under one condition: we can start a special run but the min quantity has to be 25 units. Only with at least 25 upfront orders we can give you affordable price. Unfortunately a smaller run doesn't make sense due to the price that  is not going to be attractive for you in this case as we have to do production set up for a new model.  

Who is interested - they can choose the parameters they want: F8, F9... 

Let me know if you have any further questions,

Lana

 

Lana,

 

this is very impressive, since fluorite doublelt have only very few paramerter, what is the secret how you get such performance which is significant superior to the Takahashi fluorite apos? Then, if the customers can choese, is there an option for fast large apos, e.g. 180 f/5 or so, a  visual wide field apo, off course with less perfect color correction?

 

best regards

 

Thomas

 

Thank you Thomas,

There is an option for 180 f/5 doublet with the same color correction   but the lenses in this case will be too thick due to short radii. Additionally the system will have high field aberrations. Even though it has good color correction, this option is not doable because of other disadvantages.

Data provided by Strehl graph for our doublets is real calculation but we prefer not to share the design details for now. I think it is understandable why.  

Regards,

Lana 

[ThomasM]

 

 

 

Thank you Thomas,

There is an option for 180 f/5 doublet with the same color correction   but the lenses in this case will be too thick due to short radii. Additionally the system will have high field aberrations. Even though it has good color correction, this option is not doable because of other disadvantages.

Data provided by Strehl graph for our doublets is real calculation but we prefer not to share the design details for now. I think it is understandable why.  

Regards,

Lana 

 

Lana,

thanks a lot, very interesting!

Thomas

Edited by ThomasM, 28 December 2016 - 03:23 AM.

[salico]

Thomas,

 

are you also dreaming of a binoscope, built on two Agema 180 APOs;-)?

 

Maiko

[Howard Gao]

Hi Ed/ Lana

 

Can you confirm weight of the OTA and rings/carry handle etc separately please? Is the number correct on your website? It still seems too heavy for a doublet.

 

Thanks

Howard

[Lana Try]

Howard,

The OTA weight shown on our website is correct. It was explained in details in post #31. Please don’t consider the weight itself. The performance parameters have to be considered too. We make serious instrument that keeps high performance. We cannot make the same performance with thinning parts. We prefer to keep classic proportions. Let’s compare our OTA weight with some models on the market. I will subtract the weight of the third lens and cell to make triples comparable to doublets. Approximate weight of the 130 mm lens is 0.6 kg and its cell is 0.4 kg, so 1 kg total to subtract. TOA 130 with 2.7” focuser is 10.0 kg. Imaginary doublet from it is 9.0 kg. Agema 130 SD OTA is 9.5 kg with bigger 3.5” focuser. APQ 150 is 15.5 kg with a smaller focuser. Imaginary doublet from it could be 13.5-14.0 kg. Agema 150 SD is 12.8 kg with bigger focuser. 
Here are the weights of the ring sets (2 rings, 2 plates and a handle):
130 SD - 1.75 kg
150 SD - 2.5 kg
I consider the weight question covered.
Thanks,
Lana

Edited by Lana Try, 31 December 2016 - 09:53 PM.

[contedracula]

We now have a dealer in European Union: Astroshop.
Please check our page for more information.
Thanks,

Lana

These are the Delta Differences Price ( in US Dollar converted from EURO ) between USA and The Dealer Price AstroShop in Germany
Are you sure is a competitive price?

The 130 and 150 is OVERPRICED!     

 

 

 

Just my opinion

 

CIAO!

[Lana Try]

 

We now have a dealer in European Union: Astroshop.
Please check our page for more information.
Thanks,

Lana

These are the Delta Differences Price ( in US Dollar converted from EURO ) between USA and The Dealer Price AstroShop in Germany
Are you sure is a competitive price?

The 130 and 150 is OVERPRICED!     

 

 

 

Just my opinion

 

CIAO!

 

Good question! 
The prices for SD-130 and SD-150 you compared were introductory prices. They were not available for the dealers, only for direct customers and only for limited time. I am glad some of our customers took an advantage of these low prices. Current prices are $5,900 and $9,200 that makes percentage delta similar to SD-180. Let's do some math. Please count shipping from USA to Europe. After that, please add VAT on telescope cost and shipping summary (17-27% depends on the country) and tax on optics (about 4%). The rest is the dealer earning. So, the most earning goes to the government. This is a reality.    

Thanks,

Lana  

[nicknacknock]

To clarify a bit:

 

Tax on optics is actually 4.2%. Current VAT rate in Germany - where Astroshop.eu is registered - runs at 19%.

 

So, for shipping to any EU country, a fair comparison would be to take the cost of scope, add to that the shipping cost and on the total, add 23.2% for taxes. Yes, the shipping cost is considered part of the cost of the product.

 

Also FYI, Customs in different countries do not necessarily use the going rate of USD:EUR. It is customary to use a list issued once a month with a fixed rate, so there will be some small variations due to that.

[contedracula]

To clarify a bit:

 

Tax on optics is actually 4.2%. Current VAT rate in Germany - where Astroshop.eu is registered - runs at 19%.

 

So, for shipping to any EU country, a fair comparison would be to take the cost of scope, add to that the shipping cost and on the total, add 23.2% for taxes. Yes, the shipping cost is considered part of the cost of the product.

 

Also FYI, Customs in different countries do not necessarily use the going rate of USD:EUR. It is customary to use a list issued once a month with a fixed rate, so there will be some small variations due to that.

Fortunately my job is Import Export EU ->US and vice versa, this reason I know very well this matter.

We discuss always on the base of End User Price and NOT Wholesale.

I don't want to know the wholesale price but recently I've already spoken directly with Dominik Schwarz of Nimax GmbH ( AstroShop EU ) about the problem of rising price from USA

I discuss this aspect because this way penalizes both, end users and manufacturers, thus it is not necessary to invoke the TTIP

 

I know very well the customs clearance practices.
Having the 44% increase without adding the percentage of the purchase by importer is excessive

 

If you want tomorrow I take a product in the US, also from B&H ( retail price ), want you to bet that if I send it to your house you will have a savings of 25% compared the retail price in Europe?

I'm not here for making controversy and not to discuss the importers' margins but I feel able, for the reason of my professional skills, to discuss that the increase in the EU area is really excessive and hardly believe that a product valid as this telescope will have many buyers in Europe with this market price.

 

CIAO!

[nicknacknock]

Contedracula,

 

I worked as a Finance Manager for an imports / exports company so I am quite aware of this from a very practical perspective as well. I order a ton of stuff, both from Germany and the US for my hobby and everything depends on pricing. I use MyUS.com to consolidated my stuff and send it over to Cyprus.

 

This is not something controversial - it is a known fact that retailers in Europe sell at substantially higher prices than their US counterparts. Take the PST now at $599 = EUR 800 in my hands Vs prices of EUR 995 anywhere in Europe. There's your 25%!!!

 

However in this particular instance, the prices are set right and I complement both Agema and Astroshop for this. Based on cost of shipping from the US to Europe and the taxes involved, with current prices it comes as follows if I tried to bring a scope to my door Vs prices from Astroshop:

 

130mm $  5,900 -> EUR   7,250 Vs Astroshop: EUR  7,210 + shipping

150mm $  9,200 -> EUR 11,250 Vs Astroshop: EUR 11,060 + shipping

180mm $16,500 -> EUR 20,000 Vs Astroshop: EUR 19,580 + shipping

 

So, more or less comes to the same and I would definitely go through Astroshop as they are obligated by law to provide 24 months guarantee, plus on any purchase one makes through the internet in Europe, you have the right to send the product back for no reason if you ship it within two weeks and pay the cost to send it back.

 

I see no reason why I would have to purchase directly from Agema. It's not some noob who is designing the lenses, but a proven optical designer and I am sure they will provide the same sales and after sales service through Astroshop as they would directly themselves.

 

EDIT: to clarify my last sentence. I see no reason to purchase directly from Agema GIVEN the correct pricing and the lack of a benefit in buying directly.

[contedracula]

Contedracula,

 

This is not something controversial - it is a known fact that retailers in Europe sell at substantially higher prices than their US counterparts. Take the PST now at $599 = EUR 800 in my hands Vs prices of EUR 995 anywhere in Europe. There's your 25%!!!

 

 

 

This is the point and the reason because I prefer, today, to Buy an Esprit 150mm in UK ( € 4600 ) vs a TEC 140 in Germany ( € 8245 ) when in US costs $5900 ( €5500 ) and I assure you I tried them side by side for long time and have the siilar performance

In 2008, the euro was being changed $ 1.45 and prices in Europe were excessive like today

 

Buy a Premium US Telescope makes a sense in USA not in EUROPE ( my opinion ), this is the same reason of some discussions on CN Forum about the cost of European Mounts against a Software Bisque or AstroPhysics in USA BEFORE TODAY because NOW these products have a better price with Strong US$

WHY when the euro was very strong this did not happen?

 

I do not want to replicate further because seems polemical, I do not want this, but the origin is the basis of a distribution channel in Europe without competition because everything comes in ONLY ONE country.

 

I bought  directly my AstroPhysics 180mm in USA, my Zambuto in USA, my AP1600 in USA, my FLI16803 in USA

 

I am free to buy directly in the USA even when in Europe is not possible, I am regularly US resident too, and that's the only reason why I can still have fun in buying " toys" for this hobby, but I think how many Europeans would like to have a TEC, an Astro Physics, a D&G, a Zambuto or Ceravolo etc. etc. but with European prices cannot afford it, and now it will also adds to the list this fabulous telescope produced by Agema

 

I hope that European distributors will begin to think about this kind of situation

 

Thank you ( Lana too ) for this discussion and time spent for replying

 

CIAO!