12 replies to this topic

[hyperion0001]

Hi,

I'm slowly zeroing in on a decision to buy a Paramount MyT for my next mount....nearing the finish line... and down to a few last questions Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of buying direct from Software Bisque vs. buying from a reseller like High Point Scientific, Tolgo Astro, OPT, etc. I know usually the prices are more expensive for resellers, but in this case I did not notice much difference...

terry

 

[Dynan]

The only difference I can see is that if, for any reason, you need to ship the mount for repair/service, HighPoint is very close to you. I suspect you won't have any problems with such a fine mount...but if you DO, shipping time won't add to the wait for return. I've dealt with two of the companies you mention, HP and OPT and both are marvelous.

[kolsen]

Taxes are another consideration.  I live near Astro-Physics and in 2017 I but bought my Mach1 from OPT which didn't need to charge tax.  Astro-Physics had to charge me a tax because I lived in Illinois.      

[rgsalinger]

There is normally no price difference between what the dealers charge and what software bisque charges. Look around though as shipping and the occasional discounts which surface from time to time. I got a great buy on my PW 12.5 by buying it from OPT (for some reason I still don't understand). I only buy from dealers who will take the product back if it arrives broken or doesn't work to my standard within 30 days. I don't mind if I have to pay return shipping, I don't want something "repaired" that's new. I want something NEW. That's me. 

 

Rgrds-Ross

[andicus]

I bought my MYT when OPT had a gift card rebate for purchases of various thresholds.  I believe I got a $250 gift card, so just over a 4% rebate.

 

I don't know how often they have these promotions, however.

[Ralph Paonessa]

Hi,

I'm slowly zeroing in on a decision to buy a Paramount MyT for my next mount....nearing the finish line... and down to a few last questions Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of buying direct from Software Bisque vs. buying from a reseller like High Point Scientific, Tolgo Astro, OPT, etc. I know usually the prices are more expensive for resellers, but in this case I did not notice much difference...

terry

I'll put in a plug for Tolga Astro, as a satisfied customer (no other connection). He provides a lot of after-the-sale support and is quite knowledgeable and easy to reach. And I believe his prices are the same as SB, but with extra value-add services. You'd have to ask what his return policies and taxes are.

 

The support is valuable given something of a learning curve for Paramounts and TheSkyX.

 

Ralph

 

P.S. I have the MYT and love it. I bought it from OPT and it was drop-shipped from SB. (I bought a MoonLite NiteCrawler focuser from Tolga, and will buy from him again.)

[scopenitout]

I'm going to recommend Tolga as well, although you certainly would have no problems dealing directly with SB or any SB authorized retailer.

Disclaimer: I did not buy my MyT from Tolga as he had not yet formed his retail company (Tolga Astro) at the time. However, as he owned one of the first MyT's, he generously helped many new owners learn the operation of their mounts, myself included.

[Whichwayisnorth]

Go with Tolga or OPT as they will both provide after hours support and help while learning TSX Pro (to a point).  Dealing directly with SB can be quite painful and would be very bad form to buy from SB but call someone else for help.

 

If it were me I'd pick Tolga.

[RedLionNJ]

Another +1 for Tolga for SB mounts.  I wish I'd bought mine from him.

 

I bought an MX+ from OPT during their post-NEAF sale last year (lack of tax, plus 5% discount seemed to make  it too good to pass up. Plus OPT actually had one in stock).

 

Don't know how that particular sample got through anyone's QA - it certainly failed mine. The MX+ appeared shiny, new and well-packaged. But it would not come close to a good goto over a distance of more than 5 degrees or so (from home) and tracking was abysmal.  OPT was no help. After much discussion with SB via their forum, I was about to ship it back when I came across the fact it had been flashed as a MyT, not an MX+. I reflashed as an MX+ and suddenly it performed exactly as it should have from day 1.

 

So either SB did not QA after flashing, or this was a return from somebody else which was not subsquently QA-ed. 

 

Either way, I would rather have been dealing with somebody like Tolga instead of phone calls to California and other users (genuinely) trying to be helpful on the SB forums.

[rgsalinger]

That's an hilarious story. I'm not impressed with SB's quality control either. They are, though, very good about fixing things. Just one more thing to put in the workflow for a new mount - check the "type" in the firmware! OPT has some good people but sadly you have to establish a relationship with them to really get good support. Tolga is, indeed, a different beast when it comes to SB vendors.  

[Lenbo]

I bought my MYT through SB fairly early on. Remember there were a few issues early on with some of their customers that were eventually resolved as far as I know. Their support forum helped. My problem was mostly me learning and adjusting to SKYX not the mount. 

[schmeah]

I can’t imagine any better after purchase support for SB than Tolga.

 

Derek

[h2ologg]

Bought my myt from Tolga.  I believe the shipping was less than from SB (which is closer to me than NJ). If I’m not mistaken the mount was drop shipped and promptly when it was manufactured and boxed for shipment. Add ons such as the eco battery converter and travel case were shipped earlier, before the mount aririved.  Tolga gives straight answers to difficult questions, such as delivery date/timeframe, cost, availability and of course help questions.

 

Although I struggled through the learning curve of first time mount setup and theSkyX I refused to call Tolga until I felt like something wasn’t quite right with the mount.  The declination axis had too much play in it.  A quick msg on TolgaAstro’s website resulted in an immediate telephone call from him.  He talked me into a quick fix and shot me over to the instructions page at SB for backup.  Glad I had him, or I’m sure it would have been a disasterous first night of AP.

 

Tolga’s in-the-know is indespensible.  He is my first go to for high end equipment. 

 

Dan