49 replies to this topic

[Fladuken]

So I bought a brand new Powermate 2x online and I immediately noticed that there were no compression rings on either the Powermate or the 1.25” adapter. All pictures online suggest that it should come with them. So I contacted the dealer and told them about the issue. They came back to me a day later and said that the extra stock they had also had no compression rings!

Has this ever happened to anyone else? This was my first Televue product I’ve ever purchased and it’s definitely left me a bit disappointed.

[Jethro7]

Hello Fladuken,

My five year old PowerMate has the compression ring. This is interesting. This may sound silly. The TeleVue compression ring on my PowerMate is well recessed. Try turning the thumb screw all the way in, the compression ring will become easily visible at this point. If in fact the compression rings are missing, I would contact Tele Vue directly. I own a lot of Tele Vue products and have never had a problem other than Tele Vue discontinuing eyepieces before I can get my hands on them.

 

Tele Vue Customer Suport

1-845-469-4551

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 15 March 2025 - 07:42 AM.

[scotsman328i]

So I bought a brand new Powermate 2x online and I immediately noticed that there were no compression rings on either the Powermate or the 1.25” adapter. All pictures online suggest that it should come with them. So I contacted the dealer and told them about the issue. They came back to me a day later and said that the extra stock they had also had no compression rings!

Has this ever happened to anyone else? This was my first Televue product I’ve ever purchased and it’s definitely left me a bit disappointed.

Very disappointing! I also received a 2x Powermate about two weeks ago. Same issue…no brass compression rings! I will be calling TeleVue on Monday myself asking for them to send me 2” and a 1.25” brass compression rings for it. The slots are in there as they are machined to fit the compression rings. No one can tell me Televue doesn’t have compression rings sitting around the shop there. 

[scopewizard]

All Powermate have a compression ring.

 

A picture of your Powermate would be easier to confirm if it is a knock off.

[Ac2aj]

They may have just forgot to install them on that batch and sent them out. I couldn't imagine Televue not using the rings when even the cheapest of brands have them now.

[scotsman328i]

All Powermate have a compression ring.

 

A picture of your Powermate would be easier to confirm if it is a knock off.

My Powermate was bought through Agena Astro brand new. I doubt it was a knock off. I just sent them a message stating provide two compression rings in 2” or 1.25” format that fit the 2x Powermate, or I want a return label and full refund and will purchase elsewhere. It even CLEARLY states on the website that the 2x Powermate comes with brass compression rings. Very disappointing.

[scotsman328i]

Hello Fladuken,

My five year old PowerMate has the compression ring. This is interesting. This may sound silly. The TeleVue compression ring on my PowerMate is well recessed. Try turning the thumb screw all the way in, the compression ring will become easily visible at this point. If in fact the compression rings are missing, I would contact Tele Vue directly. I own a lot of Tele Vue products and have never had a problem other than Tele Vue discontinuing eyepieces before I can get my hands on them.

 

Tele Vue Customer Suport

1-845-469-4551

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

I will call Televue on Monday and see if they can rectify this issue and save Agena Astro a headache. We will see.

[CrazyPanda]

If the slot is machined for a compression ring, then the absence of one indicates some kind of manufacturing/assembly error, rather than a change in design.

[Fladuken]

Hello Fladuken,

My five year old PowerMate has the compression ring. This is interesting. This may sound silly. The TeleVue compression ring on my PowerMate is well recessed. Try turning the thumb screw all the way in, the compression ring will become easily visible at this point. If in fact the compression rings are missing, I would contact Tele Vue directly. I own a lot of Tele Vue products and have never had a problem other than Tele Vue discontinuing eyepieces before I can get my hands on them.

 

Tele Vue Customer Suport

1-845-469-4551

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

 

All Powermate have a compression ring.

 

A picture of your Powermate would be easier to confirm if it is a knock off.

 

Thanks. See attached pictures.

 

I have no doubt that this is the real thing. It has a good amount of heft and the machining is done very well.

 

You can see what are indentations for where I assume the rings should go but, alas...

 

The place I bought this from said thet the lad time for the missing parts could take up to 2 weeks.

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[Fladuken]

Very disappointing! I also received a 2x Powermate about two weeks ago. Same issue…no brass compression rings! I will be calling TeleVue on Monday myself asking for them to send me 2” and a 1.25” brass compression rings for it. The slots are in there as they are machined to fit the compression rings. No one can tell me Televue doesn’t have compression rings sitting around the shop there. 

I wonder how many others have part-assembled Powermates?

[TayM57]

Yeah it's not a big deal as the grrove for the split ring is there. It's an assembly/parts inclusion error. Either TV or Agena will fix this for you. Probably TV.

Edited by TayM57, 15 March 2025 - 03:59 PM.

[TayM57]

If it will take time for a replacement ring to be sent to you, what you can do is take the PM to the hardware store and find a replacement nylon screw for the thumbscrew. This way, you can use it immediately without marring your eyepieces.

[Olimad]

A small failure on the QC, everybody can have a bad day. But It seems an easy fix for Tele Vue, not a big deal.

But I would not do a "DIY" during the wait for the fix. That is a lifelong guaranteed product, so better to wait.

Well It is easy for me to say this, since the next 2 weeks will be cloudy and rainy... So I would not use It anyway....

[TayM57]

A small failure on the QC, everybody can have a bad day. But It seems an easy fix for Tele Vue, not a big deal.

But I would not do a "DIY" during the wait for the fix. That is a lifelong guaranteed product, so better to wait.

Well It is easy for me to say this, since the next 2 weeks will be cloudy and rainy... So I would not use It anyway....

Why not use a nylon thumbscrew? Zero chance of it damaging the threads if that is what you are implying. Nylon is way too soft to damage metal threading.

[scotsman328i]

Thanks. See attached pictures.

 

I have no doubt that this is the real thing. It has a good amount of heft and the machining is done very well.

 

You can see what are indentations for where I assume the rings should go but, alas...

 

The place I bought this from said thet the lad time for the missing parts could take up to 2 weeks.

YUP! Mine shows the same exact thing. There are recesses machined for the compression rings, but no compression rings, only two chromed set screws that protrude into the housing when screwed inwards. 

[scotsman328i]

Why not use a nylon thumbscrew? Zero chance of it damaging the threads if that is what you are implying. Nylon is way too soft to damage metal threading.

Why not give the customer what is stated on the website? Why not receive the same product that everyone else historically received WITH compression rings? I have Naglers and Ethoi. I really don’t want them marred by set screws. A compression ring also holds an eyepiece more securely and safely than a set screw.

[TayM57]

Why not give the customer what is stated on the website? Why not receive the same product that everyone else historically received WITH compression rings? I have Naglers and Ethoi. I really don’t want them marred by set screws. A compression ring also holds an eyepiece more securely and safely than a set screw.

I was not suggesting the nylon thumb screw as a permanent replacement. I was suggesting a nylon thumb screw as a temporary fix while a split ring is mailed to the customer.

 

A nylon thumb screw would not damage a aluminum/steel barrel of an eyepiece, unless you use channel lock pliers to tighten the thumb screw. OK, maybe then, a nylon thumb screw might mar the eyepiece barrel.

 

But who tightens thumb screws in that manner?

Edited by TayM57, 15 March 2025 - 03:59 PM.

[scotsman328i]

Just received an email from Agena. I order tons of stuff from them and they are being most helpful about it. They would like images of the absence of compression rings and will either exchange the Powermate for one that they physically will check for compression rings before they post it, provide a full refund, or expedite compression rings to fit the Powermate. I told them sending me the compression rings in the mail will do just fine. I can put them in myself. Too easy.

[scotsman328i]

I wonder how many others have part-assembled Powermates?

That I don’t know, but I put a blip on Agena Astro’s radar and they will more than probably check their entire inventory of Televue Powermates and Barlows.

[scotsman328i]

JI was not suggesting the nylon set screw as a permanent replacement. I was suggesting a nylon set screw as a temporary fix while a compression ring is mailed to the customer.

 

A nylon set screw would not damage a aluminum/steel barrel of an eyepiece, unless you use channel lock pliers to tighten the set screw. OK, maybe then, a nylon set screw might mar the eyepiece barrel.

 

But who tightens set screws in that manner?

That I cannot say. I don’t use set screws in any manner. 

Edited by scotsman328i, 15 March 2025 - 10:42 AM.

[TayM57]

That I cannot say. I don’t use set screws in any manner. 

Ok, a thumb screw.

[scotsman328i]

Ok, a thumb screw.

No, I mean thumb screw, set screw…any kind of screw. I only use compression rings in everything but my PST and Baader Q-Turret. Yes, they have already been exchanged for plastic set screws. However when it comes to heavy Naglers, Ethoi and Pentax oculars, I’ll only trust my grip of them to a brass compression ring. I understand what you’re saying Tay and agree with you to a point. I’m not being difficult. I fully agree that if there is no other option, plastic is far better than metal when it comes to contacting a metal barrel. 

Edited by scotsman328i, 15 March 2025 - 10:53 AM.

[betacygni]

Televue thumbscrews are captive generally I believe (mushroomed out at the end), so removing it as a temporary solution for a nylon screw likely isn’t possible.

Edited by betacygni, 15 March 2025 - 10:57 AM.

[scotsman328i]

Televue thumbscrews are captive generally I believe (mushroomed out at the end), so removing it as a temporary solution for a nylon screw likely isn’t possible.

I discovered one of the set screws does come out, however one does not due to the mushroomed out effect on that particular screw. I cannot remember which one it was. Perhaps the 1.25” adapter?

[PKDfan]

Hi Fladuken !

Lol you can have mine...oops its only 1 1/4".

I need to remove mine and chamfer the edges as more than 50% of the time it hangs up when inserting eyepieces in my 5X PM. I'll try that and see if that solves the issue.

Or I'll just find a nylon screw and remove it permanently.



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