31 replies to this topic

[Oldfracguy]

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 Do you really believe sales talk ?

Yes, the optics and the focusers on every GSO Newtonian I have purchased from Agena have always been fine.  Also, they were always pretty much in collimation right out of the box, which implies somebody at Agena actually set the scope up and checked it out.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 28 May 2023 - 03:01 PM.

[dweller25]

Yes, the optics and the focusers on every GSO Newtonian I have purchased from Agena have always been fine.  Also, they were always pretty much in collimation right out of the box, which imlpies somebody at Agena actually set the scope up and checked it out.

So, why is the original poster unhappy with his scope and Agena’s response ?

[Oldfracguy]

I think the OP's main complaint was about the black paint inside the tube.  That, as well as the tube ring issue on the 6" size GSO Newtonian tubes, is something that the manufacturer GSO needs to eventually address.  As has been pointed out, the scope the OP purchased was just what is described on the Agena website, and is the same GSO-made 8" f/5 Newtonian you can buy from other vendors under the brand names of TS-PHOTON and Apertura.  The apparently now defunct OPT carried GSO-made Newts under the TPO (Third Planet Optics) label.  These are entry level scopes, and are amenable to improvements by their users.

[dnrmilspec]

The seller makes the  claim, and in such accepts the responsibility of fulfilling that expectation…..if the purchaser could display that the scope was received in any condition other than that made by the sales obligation, Agena should have sent a call tag and offered either an exchange or refund. 

So tell us exactly what was not as described in the ad.

WRT the black paint, there is nothing unusual about flat black being soft.  It is not glossy for a reason.  A small amount of transfer  when one rubs the inside of the tube is just fine.  And, oh by the way, who rubs the inside of a telescope tube?  Can you think of a worse place to impart shiny oil from one's fingers?

 

The tight tube rings are, as someone said earlier, not a flaw.  If the OP wants tube rotation rings he can buy them.  I had them at one time and they are expensive.  Having the tube held tightly in the rings is not only safer for the scope it is necessary when you hang a heavy camera  at the end of a Barlow. 

 

The notion that we should be allowed to return something for no reason at all is fairly new.  I call it the "Amazon Effect".  Return policies are a simple business  decision.  I make custom items and do not allow returns at all.  (Unless we have made a mistake.)  A returned scope costs the company a ton of money.  Not only are they on the hook for the shipping out and back, they have a scope that has to be sold at discounted prices.  And I think our vendors here will confirm that there is very little profit in a telescope. 

 

So I am sticking up for Agena here.  And I sincerely hope that the OP can enjoy his new scope.  He got exactly what he paid for.

[TOMDEY]

The old adage remains true > "You get what you pay for".

 

This scope is actually a great bargain at the list price. I'd undoubtedly look it over, sigh, smile --- and happily use it.    Tom

[rgk901]

I like mine a lot!

but

after reading how it's checked over mine came:

with an unusable focuser

mirror with 'film' at edges

but paint was definitely NOT rubbing off:)

so

agena repalced my focuser but after I had to maje attempts at fixing it.

mirror I kept after being asked to wash it to remove the film cause it was said it was some masking tape ...

the point

if it was checked over as mentioned it would have saved me time/aggravation and agena would have also saved time and shipping

that's it... the bargain is there but definitely thinking twice about buying things as am not interested in 'holding the bag' when I don't win the good sample lottery


getting what you pay for is relative... who says how much it needs to cost not to have paint coming off or focuser turning?

[Jon Isaacs]

This is the problem I have with this thread.  

 

The title is:

 

"My complete and unfortunate experience with a GSO 8" f/5 newtonian reflector"

 

And yet:

 

"Field Testing:

Date TBD. I will post to this thread"

 

There is nothing complete this, the telescope has yet to see first light.  

 

Jon