108 replies to this topic

[gunfighter48]

Sorry for the double post.

Edited by gunfighter48, 02 June 2017 - 10:51 PM.

[gunfighter48]

I got a flyer in the mail today saying that they are closing down the business after 55 years! In 1976 when I bought my first telescope I purchased 5 or 6 eyepieces from University Optics. Over the years I've and bought a few more. 3 years ago I bought 4 Orthos from them. Shame to see them shutting down but after 55 years the owner deserves a good retirement.  Mods if this isn't the right place for this feel free to move it.

[Michael Covington]

End of an era.  In 1971, soon after getting my RV-6, I bought a University Optics 40-mm Kellner and traded in my Criterion 12- and 6-mm eyepieces for a University Optics "volcano top" 9-mm ortho.

 

All those moved on to other owners many years ago, but a few years ago, for old times' sake, I bought a University Optics "volcano top" 25-mm ortho, nowadays multi-coated.  It is truly excellent.

 

I suppose I should look through their catalogue and see if there's anything else I want...

[desertlens]

Very sorry to hear this but everyone deserves a bit of retirement. UO has served the amateur astronomy community very well over the years... yet another reason to treasure my UO VTs.

[havasman]

after 55 years the owner deserves a good retirement

[petert913]

My 1976 UO 16mm Konig is still, to this day, one of my very favorite eyepieces.  I am sad to hear about this....... But send out a ton of respect to them  and a happy retirement.

[petert913]

They will be remembered for the great products and service.  

[J A VOLK]

When I was going to University of Michigan in the 1970's I went by their shop a couple times - nice people, small shop at the time. Back then they were one of the best suppliers of ATM gear, eyepieces and a variety of astro equipment no one else offered. Jaegers, Edmund & UO - that was about it!

Edited by J A VOLK, 03 June 2017 - 12:22 AM.

[junomike]

An Era comes to an end.  Probably for the best as it's a tough market to survive in and IMO UO glory days are far behind them.

 

Mike

[faackanders2]

The University Optics MK70 Koenig 40mm 70 deg AFOV is one of my favorite eyepieces for maximum TFOV.

 

They will be missed!

[ybor]

Great Service , a class act . Another astro vendor closes out an Era in our hobby .

[Michael Covington]

In the 1970s I noticed that I got my orders from UO (in Georgia) in about 8 days, while other mail-order businesses took about two and a half weeks.  Apparently the difference is that UO didn't wait a week for the check to clear.

 

(I also got a Criterion RV-6 in 3 weeks, which is reportedly exceptional...)

[Scott99]

An Era comes to an end.  Probably for the best as it's a tough market to survive in and IMO UO glory days are far behind them.

 

Mike

When someone retires or dies I usually try to say only positive things.  I think it's fair to say when you hit your 80's the glory days are behind you, that's why we don't verbalize such facts.

 

'nuff respect to Mr. Seyfried!  Thanks for all the great products over the years.  The UO 80mm refractor was the scope that got me interested in refractors.  UO always found the best Japanese eyepieces to bring over for us, at affordable prices.

[Michael Covington]

Well, the product line has clearly shrunk, and UO's current niche is as an importer of rather good Japanese eyepieces -- not the hottest and latest eyepiece technology, but eyepieces that are well-made and very cost-effective, from all that I hear.

[Michael Covington]

Can someone post a scan of the flyer that says they're closing?  That announcement is not on their web page at present.

[GeneT]

 

after 55 years the owner deserves a good retirement

 

[junomike]

 

An Era comes to an end.  Probably for the best as it's a tough market to survive in and IMO UO glory days are far behind them.

 

Mike

When someone retires or dies I usually try to say only positive things.  I think it's fair to say when you hit your 80's the glory days are behind you, that's why we don't verbalize such facts.

 

'nuff respect to Mr. Seyfried!  Thanks for all the great products over the years.  The UO 80mm refractor was the scope that got me interested in refractors.  UO always found the best Japanese eyepieces to bring over for us, at affordable prices.

 

I meant no disrespect personally to Jay or anyone else at UO.  My reference to "glory days" is a mere referee to the high end desirable gear they once were known for and not the more common re-branded gear they carry now (they do or did still off the Abbe's which is/was a good thing).

 

Mike

[catboat]

 

 

after 55 years the owner deserves a good retirement

 

 

 

UO was a cornerstone of the amateur community.  Here’s wishing Jan a long and rewarding retirement.

[RAKing]

 

 

after 55 years the owner deserves a good retirement

 

 

 

 

I can go along with that!  I made it through 53 years of work before I had enough.

 

Here's hoping for many years of enjoyment!

 

Ron

[gunfighter48]

Can someone post a scan of the flyer that says they're closing?  That announcement is not on their web page at present.

Here you go.

 

[Michael Covington]

Thanks.

[Don W]

Hope they have a happy retirement. Well earned. Always enjoyed talking to Jan at Astrofest and on the phone over the years.

 

Coincidentally, I just picked up a sweet 12.4mm UO Ortho made in Japan. It will have a special place in my collection. I recall buying Konigs back in the 80s as some of the first wide fields aside from the Meade WA RGs. Not sharp to the edges but close enough.

[EverlastingSky]

Ah ha. The post card tells the tale in more detail. Thanks.

[NiteGuy]

Purchased a fair amount of items from UO back in the day. They offered an "affordable quality" with their products that definitely appealed to me. Only ever had one small problem and a phone call to them quickly fixed that...very good customer support.

 

Still use the UO 32mm 2" Konig eyepiece in the 80mm finder on the big Dob. Instead of hard-to-see crosshairs, I glued (with model airplane plastic glue no less) a cut-to-length large-ish sewing needle onto the field stop. The shiny needle is very easy to see, even in the darkest skies. Received more great comments than I can count from people over the years on how incredibly comfortable the 32mm Konig is in use and how well the needle pointer works.

 

All my best and very sorry to see you go... THANKS UNIVERSITY OPTICS!!!

[KRAS]

Bummer. I don't own any of their EPs but our of what they have for sale now, is anything ​in their selection a must have, or just meh?