54 replies to this topic

[scotsman328i]

I'm not so sure. I would only buy a delite or higher-cost EP based on reviews, not name.

Unless perhaps those that do...they should speak up here and prove me wrong?

Perhaps a majority go based on reputation while others go by name, but I dont go by name....

 

Many out there do connect a name (speaking broadly as of the news yesterday) with quality, as that name brand has proven its quality over the years. This is where China manipulated the name by making less than quality products under that name that spent decades or even longer associating that name to premium quality products. So far we have learned it was just designer products. I, for one, am hoping it doesn’t go deeper than that.

[Mike W]

I go by either Televues specs on the website or Starman 1. Any other reviews are USUALLY biased. 

Also Starman 1 is an eyeglass wearer for those concerned about E/R.

 

https://www.cloudyni...s-buyers-guide/

 

https://www.cloudyni...ce-aberrations/

Edited by Mike W, 14 April 2025 - 06:45 PM.

[Bill Weir]

In have been watching the latest developments in trade war with China and there are some interesting points. Chinese are making videos exposing the luxury brands being made in China then shipped to Europe to have logos put on them and be sold for a lot of money. Sometime the price we’re paying is 90% markup from the price it costs to make it. A $100 item actually costs $10 or less.
This made me think how much are we overpaying for eyepieces and other items made in China? Even when item says made in Taiwan or Japan it is hard to be sure that that is true since they often buy things from China, assemble it somewhere else and call it made in that other country. It is mind blowing how much we are being robbed!

Link to said videos, otherwise just hearsay and inadmissible.

 

Bill

[Jon Isaacs]

 

It was just pretty jarring to hear China come out with that statement about designer gear and had me concerned as for how deep this may end up going, you know?

 

Did that surprise you?  It's fashion.. it's posturing, it's as if the look of the 31 mm Nagler was all that mattered, looking through it, who does that?

 

Jon

[payner]

 

How much has China been manufacturing and producing for premium line products worldwide? Our Pentax, Televue, Takahashi etc etc…how much of their components were made by corporations and companies in China, India or wherever? We can’t prove it.

In the case of Takahashi, it is known and documented where they make their products, Japan. There have been documentaries illustrating that, including by the History Channel. Takahashi produces their own metal (sand casting, an industrial art that is nearly lost), mirrors figured in-house, glass lenses come from Ohara, Japan and fluorite is made by Canon in Japan.

Edited by payner, 14 April 2025 - 07:28 PM.

[scotsman328i]

In the case of Takahashi, it is known and documented where they make their products, Japan. There have been documentaries illustrating that, including by the History Channel. Takahashi produces their own metal (sand casting, an industrial art that is nearly lost), mirrors figured in-house, glass lenses comes from Ohara, Japan and fluorite is made by Canon in Japan.

I’ve seen the videos and a couple documentaries on companies like Takahashi and you’re more than probably right. I was using Tak as an example of a top notch company within the hobby, not accusing them of watering down their products. It just makes you think with so many corporations and companies worldwide, how much transparency and honesty is being shown by them, you know? 

[scotsman328i]

Did that surprise you?  It's fashion.. it's posturing, it's as if the look of the 31 mm Nagler was all that mattered, looking through it, who does that?

 

Jon

Haha Jon, no it really doesn’t. I think many people globally are rethinking their brand loyalties right now. 

[SandyHouTex]

In have been watching the latest developments in trade war with China and there are some interesting points. Chinese are making videos exposing the luxury brands being made in China then shipped to Europe to have logos put on them and be sold for a lot of money. Sometime the price we’re paying is 90% markup from the price it costs to make it. A $100 item actually costs $10 or less.
This made me think how much are we overpaying for eyepieces and other items made in China? Even when item says made in Taiwan or Japan it is hard to be sure that that is true since they often buy things from China, assemble it somewhere else and call it made in that other country. It is mind blowing how much we are being robbed!

Do you have any links?  I would like to read them.

[Moravianus]

I got TMB eyepiece on Aliexpress and they are great.

I wonder what other eyepieces from China are great but people don't know because a few loudmouths here are always monopolizing these conversations.

Give me some great Chinese eyepieces that are good price too.

They are great because it was Thomas Back design, stolen including his name without any reward to him by the Chinese factory commissioned to do the first run.

So an Aliexpress bought eyepiece would burn in my hand.

[starfinder123123]

Here are some of those videos.
https://x.com/fedpoa...nvuQrut5LNCfl5w

[starfinder123123]

They are great because it was Thomas Back design, stolen including his name without any reward to him by the Chinese factory commissioned to do the first run.
So an Aliexpress bought eyepiece would burn in my hand.

There are no pattern rights in communism. That’s how they caught up to us.

[scotsman328i]

They are great because it was Thomas Back design, stolen including his name without any reward to him by the Chinese factory commissioned to do the first run.

So an Aliexpress bought eyepiece would burn in my hand.

That sucks for Thomas Back and he should’ve sued them under international courts for stolen design. 
Putting the story behind though, if the eyepiece is good at a far lesser price on AliExpress, then people will buy it. There never seems to be personal loyalties to a designer or company for those out there wanting to save a buck. 

[Mike W]

What I hate seeing though is newbies buying cheap gear only to be disappointed when they loose tons of money selling to buy better gear. 

[scotsman328i]

What I hate seeing though is newbies buying cheap gear only to be disappointed when they loose tons of money selling to buy better gear. 

That’s true, Mike. Some of it boils down to observing experience over time and wanting to progress to more quality equipment also. However, I am sure we have both seen some unfortunate folks with total hobby killing junk in their hands and know the disappointment that awaits them.

[Mike W]

Have you priced eyepieces on E-bay lately? I don't know how they get those prices!

[scotsman328i]

Have you priced eyepieces on E-bay lately? I don't know how they get those prices!

Haha yeah Mike, I was surfing eBay a few days ago. Some are auctioning oculars off to people willing to spend any price for them and other stuff? You MUST be joking! 

[Jon Isaacs]

What I hate seeing though is newbies buying cheap gear only to be disappointed when they loose tons of money selling to buy better gear. 

 

If you buy inexpensive, it's hard to lose tons of money selling it... 

 

Basic eyepieces are still decent.

 

Jon

[starfinder123123]

Have you priced eyepieces on E-bay lately? I don't know how they get those prices!

Last week I was watching the auction for 26mm Silvertop. The last minute people were outbidding each other by a dollar or so, in $50-$55 range. Then in the last second someone outbids them all. The final price,$94! I guess when those sellers see this price they think they can jack up prices at will and see if anyone bites.
Half the time I think it’s the seller himself jacking up the price by bidding high.

[jrmacl]

There are no pattern rights in communism. That’s how they caught up to us.

doesn't nike have their corporate office in some tax free country and then they license the name or some tomfoolery to get around paying proper taxes? you've seen where their products are made and their cut-throat practices they employ- if a factory in the next block can make their product for point zero zero pennies less everyone at your factory is outta a job. But gee golly don't we americans straight up kill to get us some nike gear so...you know that $120 team jersey cost them about 40 cents right?

 

If the employees in these factories were getting paid a fair wage do you think we'd be seeing the incredible prices we've been seeing with these ep's coming outta china? Man I just got a pretty cool electric bike for 5 bones, what american factory is gonna deliver one of those to my door at that price? As long as the chinese people are happy working at what would be considered slave labor in this country who we capitalists that enjoy the benefits to complain.

[jrmacl]

If you buy inexpensive, it's hard to lose tons of money selling it... 

 

Basic eyepieces are still decent.

 

Jon

I hadn't bought ep's since I got my scope 25 years ago, I just bought a zoom, 32mm Pl, and a Barlow for less than I paid for one 11mm TV Plossl 25 years ago when they were only $80

Edited by jrmacl, 14 April 2025 - 10:27 PM.

[SeattleScott]

Here are some of those videos.
https://x.com/fedpoa...nvuQrut5LNCfl5w

So this breaking news is just social media posts that anyone could have completely made up?

[areyoukiddingme]

Here are some of those videos.
https://x.com/fedpoa...nvuQrut5LNCfl5w

 

Oh man, I paid 400k for my condo in 2002. I could have got it for $3 direct from China!

[SeattleScott]

doesn't nike have their corporate office in some tax free country and then they license the name or some tomfoolery to get around paying proper taxes? you've seen where their products are made and their cut-throat practices they employ- if a factory in the next block can make their product for point zero zero pennies less everyone at your factory is outta a job. But gee golly don't we americans straight up kill to get us some nike gear so...you know that $120 team jersey cost them about 40 cents right?

If the employees in these factories were getting paid a fair wage do you think we'd be seeing the incredible prices we've been seeing with these ep's coming outta china? Man I just got a pretty cool electric bike for 5 bones, what american factory is gonna deliver one of those to my door at that price? As long as the chinese people are happy working at what would be considered slave labor in this country who we capitalists that enjoy the benefits to complain.

I believe Nike’s corporate headquarters is in Oregon.

True, a tax free country, if you are a consumer. No state sales tax. But still corporate income tax.

[SeattleScott]

That sucks for Thomas Back and he should’ve sued them under international courts for stolen design.
Putting the story behind though, if the eyepiece is good at a far lesser price on AliExpress, then people will buy it. There never seems to be personal loyalties to a designer or company for those out there wanting to save a buck.

My impression from reading reviews is the current crop of $30 ones are not as well regarded as what he used to sell for $75 or so. But still good for the price, if you don’t get a defective one.

[SeattleScott]

Ok I checked MSN, Fox and NBC News and none of them have a story about any big reveal of luxury brands being made in China.