531 replies to this topic

[Richard B. Drumm]

All:
This thread is just a convenient place for me to post the results of the list of PST serial numbers I've been collecting. It is NOT intended as a means of bashing any manufacturer, really is isn't! It's for informational purposes only. This way we can request the serial # from a seller on A-mart or wherever, and have some confidence in the scope we recieve.

I'll update with edits this first post until the system won't let me edit it, then I'll scroll down and make a new posting of the list.

Thanks to everyone who has participated, together we can make a difference!
Rich

As of Nov. 19th, 2006:
---------------------------------
94606 sick - Gary Meehan "AXAF" in Boston
94991 sick - David "ad701xx" in Oregon
95104 was blue, now gold - Tom Lawson "Guner" in NJ - repaired twice!
95166 sick - James Suarez "Jim7728" in NY - the old one.
95424 sick - Julio Cesar in Madrid - before repair
96367 sick - "Zoomster" in Fla.- now repaired.
96714 sick, repaired, sick again! Darren Hiebert in Alabama
97148 sick - Bill Leslie "bill-in-forres" Scotland
97449 not sick yet, blue - Steve Durham in NY
97468 sick - Bruce "Carpe Noctum" in Cal., returned, lost by Meade, replaced.
97491 gold - Daniel in Illinois
98131 not sick yet, blue/transparent - Gustavo Phols in Mexico
98670 sick & gold ! "Davo" in Scotland
98773 sick - Gregor(slo) in Slovenia
98994 sick - Steve "molniyabeer" in Italia
99309 sick - Michelle "JARSHEART" in Fla.
99335 sick - Kelly "Trombone"
99493 sick - Adrian Guzman "solmax" - repaired with blue glass.
99760 sick - (brand new in the box) - Steven Kim "kimsc321"
99807 sick - "Ike"
100054 sick - Ben Ritchie in Bosham, UK
100360 sick - Rick in Tokyo
100658 sick - Jim from NJ Night Sky

100706 gold - Ed Kessler in PA
100727 gold - Bill K. "SprintCar Driver"
100922 gold - justin2992 in Philly
100942 gold - LBartolomei
101040 gold - "jgraham" in Ohio
101147 gold - Julio Cesar's friend Oriol in Barcelona
101168 gold - Julio Cesar's replacement PST
101230 gold - me
101337 gold - chemkelly

101369 blue - James Suarez "Jim7728" in NY - the new one.
101680 blue - Bill "Bonco" in Fla.
---------------------------------
The first group are the ones that had the problem. Blue lenses, one transparent...
The second group are the gold ones.
The last group are the new type, with blue lenses (either transparent or opaque???)

[Jim7728]

Good job!, Rich.

Maybe Erika can add this thread to the "sick PST" stickie at the top of the forum.

I just want to add that Meade/Coronado seems to be "stepping up" in working this problem out with the new clear blue objective design, no questions asked as far as proof of purchase and paying for the shipping both ways(at least for those in CONUS). Also the latest repaired one's seem to be in good order. Hopefully, those who had problems getting thier PST's fixed are getting those issues resolved.
Of course I'll let everyone know how my old one turns out, once I get it back.

[badsnoopy]

Very nice job.

[kimsc321]

Hi Richard and all,

Last Sunday, I've went into Adorama in NYC to buy a new PST. This time I personally wanted to inspect the scope before purchase. It looked great w/ bluish-clear objective. Looked like newer model and the certificate confirmed it showing Oct. 2006. So I bought the scope w/ big smile on my face . Next day as my wife was test driving the new scope, she discovers a cluster of "tiny bubbles" in the middle of the objective . Yes, we've decided to return this as well. I'm sorry, I forgot to write down the serial # before return it . However, I do remember it was like #102xxx. I can call them up on Sunday 12th and find out if you wish.

I've attached a pix showing the bubbles.

One more thing. I've noticed this "bubbled" scope had a serial # outside of the box so that salesman can check the # before opening the box. My first one from Discovery Store did not. Only way was to open the box and check either by looking at the side of the scope or the certificate.

Again, thanx for this list. It's a valueable list for new and old buyers. I wonder how long this list will become!.

Steven

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[Richard B. Drumm]

Steven:
Too bad about the PST, too bad 'bout the serial # too! If you can get it that's cool, you might need it yourself! The list is narrowing down the start # for the gold objectives, and the end of the gold ones as well.
Rich

[DAVIDG]

I don't think that the bubbles are the same problem as the "rust" They look to be a common problem when you cement a lens together. You have be careful to place the two lens halves together just right or you can get the bubbles. In any case Quality Control should have caught the problem.

- Dave

[kimsc321]

Yes, Dave. This is a new QC problem. I don't know if this "bubbles" can be seen on the old or gold objective models but, it is apparent in the clear bluish newer models. I recommend all of you to re-inspect your scopes every angle under sun-light......

Just to recap:: My first purchased PST from Discovery Store had about 70% "rust" right out of the box-see serial #99760.

When the new shipment comes in I'll update you all.

Richard: I'll find out the serial # tomorrow.

By the way, for all the locals who lives around NYC area, I had an excellent service w/ Adorama especially salesman name David F. Note: This was my first business w/ them. I'm not affiliated w/ Adorama just a satisfied customer.

Steven

[molniyabeer]

I just want to add that Meade/Coronado seems to be "stepping up" in working this problem out with the new clear blue objective design, no questions asked as far as proof of purchase and paying for the shipping both ways(at least for those in CONUS).

What shipping method is are they paying for if you are CONUS? I can use USPS Priority Mail over here for the same price as if Stateside. Or are they insisting on things like UPS/FedEx?

Thanks for the updates. Clear skies.

[Jim7728]

I just want to add that Meade/Coronado seems to be "stepping up" in working this problem out with the new clear blue objective design, no questions asked as far as proof of purchase and paying for the shipping both ways(at least for those in CONUS).

What shipping method is are they paying for if you are CONUS? I can use USPS Priority Mail over here for the same price as if Stateside. Or are they insisting on things like UPS/FedEx?

United Parcel Service is picking up my PST. If your're paying for the shipping to the United States, I don't think it matters who you use.

[AXAF]

All:
This thread is just a convenient place for me to post the results of the list of PST serial numbers I've been collecting.

Let me add my serial number. It is 94606. My PST still has the rust condition on it. I'm holding off on letting Meade touch it. I get the sense that they have a bit of a learning curve to go through before they develop the necessary skill to repair these PSTs consistently well.

It looks like I have the dubious honor of being #1 on the list now!

Great idea, Rich!

Gary

[Ike]

I just wanted to add my PST to the list I checked it tonight and the objective is all blotchy serial number 99807

[Carpe Noctum]

My PST s/n was 97468. Returned, repaired, lost by Meade and replaced by Meade.

[JARSHEART]

Extremely sick, blue, shipped from Coronado 10/19/05. Purchased from OPT 3/30/06
SN 99309

Michelle

[jgraham]

I bought mine this past June. SN:101040. Gold lens, so far so good.

[Richard B. Drumm]

Michelle:
Sorry to hear 'bout your PST. I hope you can get it serviced quickly.
Thanks for the SN#!
jgraham:
Thanks for your SN# as well, I'll get Erika to update the list on top of the page!
Rich

[Zoomster]

Mine is serial number 96367 and had the original lens become sick, has since been repaired and is working better than ever.

Zoomster

[rsbfoto]

Post deleted by rsbfoto

[Richard B. Drumm]

Hola, Rainer!
I'm sorry to see the rust in your lens! Not good!
I see also the red paint on the threads and that both of them have the red paint.... Is this to keep things from unscrewing?
What's with the scratched up hole? It just looks like sloppy workmanship.
I've never heard of a BF30, who makes it?
Rich

[Erix]

BF30 is a blocking filter, Rich. http://www.coronadof...s_blocking.html

Rainer, did you drill that hole in it?

[rsbfoto]

Hi Erika and Richard,

Those BF 30 are the blocking filter which give you 30mm of circular view through field.

No I did not drill the hole, they are there and there are 2 of them in order you can turn them for srewing them into the 2" barrel. The BF 30 does have 2 of the blocking filters.

Yes the red paint is in order to avoid a turning of the filter insets in the barrel. As they ahve 2 of them and they have to be arranged in a precise direction in order to avoid ghosting.

One of the BF30 came with a loose inner filter and gave me a huge quantity of ghosts when using it. So I had to adjust it myself by pure trial and error until I found out how to avoid the ghosting.

[Davo]

Hi,

Mine has rust but I haven't returned it yet. It is #98670 (gold).

[Bucephelus]

Even though I really love Meade, I've completely lost my nerve to spend $$$$$$ on the SM60 I was going to order this week. Until things cool off with the failures I'm just not comfortable...

Chris

[rsbfoto]

Hola, Rainer!
I'm sorry to see the rust in your lens! Not good!
I see also the red paint on the threads and that both of them have the red paint.... Is this to keep things from unscrewing?
What's with the scratched up hole? It just looks like sloppy workmanship.
I've never heard of a BF30, who makes it?
Rich

Hi Richard,

Look this is how a BF30 looks like.

http://www.rainerehl...Sol/BF30-02.jpg

Of course that is the 2" barrel only. Is has on top of it another part which accepts 2" nosepieces like from an Eyepiece or a Diagonal.

[Darren Hiebert]

My PST is S/N 96714 with a blue objective which went bad and was repaired last December. The replacement objective went bad and I am still awaiting (for 4 weeks now) a return call from Meade to get it fixed again.

[Richard B. Drumm]

Davo:
Could you post an image of your objective here so we can see what a sick gold-coated objective looks like? As you can see from the list, scopes with SNs like yours generally have blue (and sick) objectives. I'm extremely curious about your scope's objective. How easy is it to see into the lens?

I've gotta PM Daniel in Illinois (#97491) and get him to post an image of his scope too, though his isn't sick. It may be that he got his repaired and they put a gold objective in as part of the repair.

Rainer:
So the hole in the retaining ring is for a spanner. I had thought that was a possibility, but didn't say so in the post. I can clearly see the cloudiness at the edge. It's back to Meade with that one, I'm so sorry for you!