10 replies to this topic

[Rob Wilson]

I put an order in for a 4 vane secondary mount, with holder, from FPI Protostar back in January. I have followed up with them monthly and not a peep. Tried calling several times. 

 

Has anyone done business with them lately? Still in operation? 

[Jim Waters]

Protostar has been VERY problematic for the past 8 years.  Maybe longer.  Search CN.  Contact your credit card company. 

Edited by Jim Waters, 22 June 2025 - 10:29 AM.

[macdonjh]

I've heard, but not experienced the same thing.  Pity: I really like their flock paper and spiders.  I have a scope I assembled using a Blacklight tube as well.  I traded e-mails with Brian years ago and he wrote shipping expense was killing their business, or at least part of it.  That, of course, has only gotten worse. 

[Rob Wilson]

Any alternatives to Protostar for secondaries? 

[Tangerman]

Astrosystems is a good one for spiders and secondary holders. StarStructure recently started offering these parts too.

[pstarr]

Any alternatives to Protostar for secondaries? 

 

https://antaresoptics.com

[Patrick]

I ordered a 3 vane spider from them plus some flocking material recently (May 2025).  I received the flocking material fairly quickly, but I have not seen or heard anything regarding the spider.  I don't know if they make their own components or if they're sourced out of country, but it sure doesn't feel right.

 

Patrick

Edited by Patrick, 27 June 2025 - 01:18 AM.

[CrazyPanda]

I put an order in for a 4 vane secondary mount, with holder, from FPI Protostar back in January. I have followed up with them monthly and not a peep. Tried calling several times. 

 

Has anyone done business with them lately? Still in operation? 

I ordered flock board from them back in early May and it arrived I think 2 weeks later.

 

When ordering, I didn't get any confirmation email that the order was received, and when I emailed to check on status over a week or so later, I got no reply. The flock board arrived about 2 days after I sent the email, so it had already been in transit.

 

It's clear their ordering system is antiquated and fulfillment is probably just one person doing it when they can.

 

The lack of communication does not inspire any confidence.

Edited by CrazyPanda, 27 June 2025 - 07:56 AM.

[Charles Wright]

I ordered from them back in the beginning of March 2025. I asked a question once, and after their one reply, have not heard from them since, in spite of several emails. I have cancelled my order for a spider and the flocking material. Very disappointed, as I ordered the same two years ago for a different project and received it reasonably.

[Big_Eight]

I ordered a spider with a custom secondary offset for my dob I am building around 3 years ago. It took him about 8 months, but he did get it to me. I believe this is a one man shop and he manufactures it himself. The work was very good, but still no excuse for the super long wait times. Who knows if they are still in business, but I suspect they are as he is not great about getting back although I did get delayed responses to my email inquiries back then.

[LauraMS]

I've ordered a secondary from them (from Europe) two years ago. Took some time but nothing to complain about.