48 replies to this topic

[jeanine]

Are the scratched coatings on this $4500 refractor worth fussing over? If you were a potential buyer, would the damage be a deal breaker? 

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[gezak22]

If it were already mine, I would not worry about it unless the image quality took a hit.

 

If I were interested in buying I would probably skip this particular unit unless there is a massive discount and a full money-back guarantee to evaluate the optics. I would also be worried about other issues such as fungus, miscollimation, ... general abuse.

[photoracer18]

I have bought damaged ones before. Big discount but in most cases the hit on the image is negligible. Just that most buyers of premium refractors are picky. I am not having gone thru a lot of used scopes while at Hands On Optics.

[elwaine]

Not worth fussing over — unless one has OCD. The scratches in the coatings are unlikely to effect performance. Would they be a deal breaker? For me... probably; but at the right price, maybe not. 

[Kunama]

For me, yes it would be unacceptable. Though the views are unlikely to be any worse, I would pass on it.

[John Huntley]

I own a 31mm Nagler with similar coating marks. They make no difference to the performance of the eyepiece and I knew about them when I bought the eyepiece, pre-owned. The marks did affect the price though, which was about 50% of the normal pre-owned price for this eyepiece.

 

So the "hit" will be on the value rather than the performance.

[HarryRik9]

My opinion is that it depends upon what kind, brand name, of scope. What aperture. APO? More info needed.

[bvillebob]

Here's a great article to give perspective on lens defects...

 

http://kurtmunger.co...rticleid35.html

 

It should affect the price as if you sell it you'll have to take a hit due to the issues, but it won't have any effect on the images.

[Markab]

My opinion is that it depends upon what kind, brand name, of scope. What aperture. APO? More info needed.

 

Is that an AP Traveler???

[PowellAstro]

Not at all. I have an ES102CF. It has scratches worse than this. I would not trade or swap for a brand new one, it has killer glass on the order of 1/17th wave. The scratches have zero effect.

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Edited by PowellAstro, 21 August 2017 - 05:01 PM.

[jring]

Hi,

 

I also doubt if the effect of these marks in the coatings would be visible, even in a side by side comparison with an unmarked example... and then there is sample variation which might be larger than this effect.

 

But it really should be priced in, as the resale value of this scope will be lower and finding a buyer will be more difficult - more so if it's an expensive scope - premium glass usually attracts picky buyers...

So if the price is right and you don't plan to sell... go ahead.

 

Joachim

Edited by jring, 21 August 2017 - 05:07 PM.

[Richard Whalen]

I would pass on it as it looks to me like it is through coatings and into glass, which can hurt contrast etc. 

[jeanine]

Thanks everyone for your input. One astute observer nailed the scope as being an AP Traveler. Very early unit.

[junomike]

Thanks everyone for your input. One astute observer nailed the scope as being an AP Traveler. Very early unit.

Such a shame......

Ah well, enjoy it as it is!

[Jon Isaacs]

Thanks everyone for your input. One astute observer nailed the scope as being an AP Traveler. Very early unit.

 

I'd send an Email to Roland and see what he said.. He may actually know the scope in question.

 

As everyone else said, it's worth buying if the price is adjusted for the damage.. 

 

Jon

[Heywood]

Astro-Physics might be able to salvage it.  My understanding is that A-P often "refurbishes" A-P scopes that have suffered damage to the optics.  Send A-P an email and ask what they can do.  Even if their fee is quite high, it would probably be worth it.  A pristine A-P telescope is a gem for the ages.

[PETER DREW]

An obstructed telescope owner would laugh at this level of image reduction! I would snap up a telescope with such a cosmetic defect at the right price if I really wanted one.

[chris charen]

Being a mild OCD person it would bug me knowing those scratches there even if performance was not effected, having said that several binoculars I have uses with similar scratches do increase secondary reflections and spiking on bright objects.

 

Chris

[elwaine]

Astro-Physics might be able to salvage it.  My understanding is that A-P often "refurbishes" A-P scopes that have suffered damage to the optics.  Send A-P an email and ask what they can do.  Even if their fee is quite high, it would probably be worth it.  A pristine A-P telescope is a gem for the ages.

 

IIRC, the refurbishing that A-P does is to clean the scope and re-oil and collimate the lens if need be. The question of stripping coatings and re-applying them has been asked of Roland before. If I can recall correctly, he said that removing coatings will cause more surface damage to the lens and could require re-working the glass to restore the lens to spec. - something he will not do. But there's no harm in asking him again.

[Markab]

Thanks everyone for your input. One astute observer nailed the scope as being an AP Traveler. Very early unit.

 

Haha I knew it! Only because I own one and could tell right away the hue of the lenses, the lens spacers, and when you mentioned $4,500 (which is actually on the low end for Travelers), it made it an easy guess. I'd say these issues are pretty minor. Go enjoy the scope...it is arguably the best 4+" one out there--I know, I've owned plenty of them.

[PowellAstro]

+1

[peleuba]

 If I can recall correctly, he said that removing coatings will cause more surface damage to the lens and could require re-working the glass to restore the lens to spec. - something he will not do. But there's no harm in asking him again.

 

 

Roland has re-worked lenses that were scratched or the coatings failed.  Its not often and it seems to be on a case-by-case basis.  

 

The lens cannot be recoated in its current condition.  The old coatings must be polished off which, in this case, will alter the correction of R1 (front surface). 

 

Call A-P, but don't be surprised if they decline to work on the lens.

[Binojunky]

If the damage will not affect the resale value if you ever want to get rid of it then live with it,D.

[Heywood]

 

Astro-Physics might be able to salvage it.  My understanding is that A-P often "refurbishes" A-P scopes that have suffered damage to the optics.  Send A-P an email and ask what they can do.  Even if their fee is quite high, it would probably be worth it.  A pristine A-P telescope is a gem for the ages.

 

IIRC, the refurbishing that A-P does is to clean the scope and re-oil and collimate the lens if need be. The question of stripping coatings and re-applying them has been asked of Roland before. If I can recall correctly, he said that removing coatings will cause more surface damage to the lens and could require re-working the glass to restore the lens to spec. - something he will not do. But there's no harm in asking him again.

 

Folks have stated here and elsewhere that A-P did re-work their A-P scope's glass to put the scope back in new condition.  I cannot cite you to a specific post, but I know I have seen them.

 

I am pretty sure that A-P does this sort of thing on a case-by-case basis, as was stated above.  Generally speaking, A-P does not, at this time, even offer a cleaning service on a regular basis.

Edited by Heywood, 22 August 2017 - 12:00 PM.

[Heywood]

If the damage will not affect the resale value if you ever want to get rid of it then live with it,D.

You can be 100% certain that the damage will affect the re-sale value.  Owners of high-end refractors are generally finicky, if not OCD.

Edited by Heywood, 22 August 2017 - 12:02 PM.