15 replies to this topic

[AnthonyII]

how long does it take highpoint scientific to fill backordered telescope purchases? I am considering making the purchase for the "Celestron Omni XLT 120 120mm f/8.3 Refractor Optical Tube Assembly" and it is on backorder. I was hoping someone here could possibly tell me from experience how long this might take for them to fill and ship this order. thank you in advance for your imput

[StargazerLuigi]

I'd contact them and see if they have an estimate of when the item you want will be back in stock.

 

 to Cloudy Nights.

Edited by ismosi, 14 October 2024 - 12:43 PM.

[sevenofnine]

Welcome to C/N! 

 

Best to either call them or email. Backorders have plagued astro goods since the pandemic. Many times what you want is available from other supplies but some products have been "more on the way" for a very long time. That refractor OTA is "in stock" at B&H Photo. I've always had good results in my orders from them.  Best of luck to you! 

 

 https://www.bhphotov...20_optical.html.

[KrisKringle]

I have ordered plenty from Highpoint over the years. Some items were backordered, but I don't remember the wait times though. I guess it depends on the product.  They do have excellent customer service with an online chat icon on their website. Very helpful!

[Xeroid]

Have you checked the CN sponsor web site for: ASTRONOMICS ??

 

 

 

 

how long does it take highpoint scientific to fill backordered telescope purchases? I am considering making the purchase for the "Celestron Omni XLT 120 120mm f/8.3 Refractor Optical Tube Assembly" and it is on backorder. I was hoping someone here could possibly tell me from experience how long this might take for them to fill and ship this order. thank you in advance for your imput

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Edited by Xeroid, 14 October 2024 - 01:37 PM.

[Chris Johnson]

B&H camera shows in stock

[Sky Muse]

A shorter, compact, more manageable version is available, at f/5...

 

https://astronomics....0-az3-refractor

 

...albeit a bit more colourful.

[dnrmilspec]

Since this is the beginners forum let me ask you a question....

 

What mount do you have for this OTA? 

 

That is a critical decision you will be making if you haven't already gotten one.

[stevebb4]

took 3 weeks to get a 24mm panoptic ep

[dmilone]

If you don’t yet have a mount, it looks like Astronomics will be your best bet. Looks like they offer a package deal. B&H is selling the telescope only.
Also, if you order from B&H, be aware that they will be closed for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, from this Wednesday through October 27.

[Oldfracguy]

Hi AnthonyII, and welcome to Cloudy Nights!

 

Based on you just looking for the OTA and not a mount as well, are we to assume that you already have a mount?  The reason I ask is that scope you have your eyes on is a pretty big.  I used to have one myself. Here it is on a mount that is capable of managing a scope of that size and weight:

 

 

 

You can send High Point Scientific an email and ask when they expect just the scopes--the OTA only and not packaged with the mount--to arrive.  If they won't be arriving anytime soon, you can still get one from outside the U.S.  For example, here is teh same basic Synta-made 120mm f/8.88 achromat sold under the Sky-Watcher name by First Light Optics in England:

 

https://www.firstlig...ar-120-ota.html

 

Here in the U.S. we normally associate the "Evostar" name with the good Sky-Watcher xxxED refractors, but in Europe the Evostar name also applies to achromats.  The only difference that I can see between this Sky-Watcher 120 Evostar and a Celestron Omni 120 XLT is the design of the objective lend cell.  The Omni 120 XLT has three pairs of actual collimation screws at 120° intervals around the edge of its objective cell.  Here is one pair::

 

 

 

It looks like the SW 120 Evostar just has an objective cell that screws onto the tube like most other achromats.  I can tell you that having collimation capability is a real plus.  When I received my Omni 120 XLT is was pretty far out of collimation.  After I corrected that it put up some excellent views, bested only by an APO-type refractor I had at the time.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 14 October 2024 - 10:58 PM.

[AnthonyII]

No mount or tripod yet, I am going to get a tripod and mount by next spring. Can you tell me the name and price range for the one it the photo. And possibly others that are as light as possible and still be able to handle this scope? I will be using for observation only, i wont be trying to do any photography with this. I just want to see the planets as large and clear as possible, while still being able to carry the scope into my apartment, and keep the price under $1000 to get me started. i am going to be viewing from a light polluted city, so I am going with a refractor as large as I can afford and still comfortably carry, any advice is welcome. Thank you for your imput.

[Oldfracguy]

No mount or tripod yet, I am going to get a tripod and mount by next spring. Can you tell me the name and price range for the one it the photo. And possibly others that are as light as possible and still be able to handle this scope? I will be using for observation only, i wont be trying to do any photography with this. I just want to see the planets as large and clear as possible, while still being able to carry the scope into my apartment, and keep the price under $1000 to get me started. i am going to be viewing from a light polluted city, so I am going with a refractor as large as I can afford and still comfortably carry, any advice is welcome. Thank you for your imput.

Sounds like a plan.

 

OK, since you don't have a mount yet, my suggestion is for you to get the combination scope and mount package, the Omni 120 XLT along with the CG-4 mount:

 

https://astronomics....b7786ddf6&_ss=c

 

The Celestron CG-4 mount is a "GEM", a German Equatorial Mount.  However, it can be converted to function as a Alt-Az mount, which many people find easier to use for just visual observation.  In Alt-Az mode it does not need any heavy counterweights, and can be carried around from place to place.  Here is mine converted to Alt-Az mode with an Astro-Tech 115mm refractor aboard:

 

 

 

Even if you live in an upstairs apartment, you can probably carry the CG-4 downstairs without having to fold up the tripod legs.  You do have to do a little side-stepping to get the outstretched tripod legs though the door.  The CG-4 tripod and mount head together weigh about 18 lbs.  After that get the Omni 120 XLT and your accessories (eyepieces, etc.) out to the mount and you're ready to go.  I actually used to live in a second story apartment and carried an earlier 1990's-era CG-4 and a Celestron 102GT 4" f/9.8 achromat, the ancestor of the current Omni 102 XLT, down to the courtyard to do my observing.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 15 October 2024 - 02:21 PM.

[Echolight]

Are the dock workers still on strike?

[Sky Muse]

Are the dock workers still on strike?

"Dockworkers agreed to suspend the strike on October 3, 2024, with their current contract extended until January 15, 2025, as negotiations continue." - Wiki

 

It's in limbo at present.

[gene 4181]

Have you checked the CN sponsor web site for: ASTRONOMICS ??

 AND its in stock!