My New Scope

[slotdrag]

i just joined your board. ive visted several yours looks the best with people who know what they are talking about. we got a harbor freight special just to get the kids interested. it was ok. i got a celestron 76gt. i love it so far. the moon is awsome and we seen jupiter for the first time. did i get a good scope? will it work as a good all around scope? i would like your opinions i spent a little over $300. on it.

[Manchurian Taikonaut]

You should be able to see lots of things with that telescope :) I'm sure there is someone on this forum who might have a very similar model

[Betelgeuse]

I see where you're coming from. buying it just for the children, however, if you ever want a better scope, I, personally wouldn't go for a celestron - more on the lines of Meade, I'd say! Due to my research. However, I haven't yet got a scope, so, don't take my opinion that serious!

[slotdrag]

rigel, i have done a lot of research. looked and talked to alot of people on the boards, meade makes a good product. but has poor customer relations. i went to use my scope last nite and it started making a funny noise. i called the place i bought it from they tried to help over the phone didnt help. so i took it in and we went through the goto system and found the motor that runs the n, s, e, w, directions was bad only one way. the owner of the store opened a new box. by the way mine i got around fathers day, and traded me the whole goto systems. i told him he didnt have to do that. he said i have a two year manufactors warranty and celestron will make it right with him. plus he said he didnt want me to be with out my scope. i will not buy a new scope from anybody but this man. and probly it will be another celestron. i wish everybody could deal with people like this.

[Betelgeuse]

Ok, thank you for pointing that out to me - I'll consider it when I go to buy a new telescope!

I'd like to know where exactly you bought your telescope from - the man sounds pretty good!

[slotdrag]

rigel i bought my scope from the science and edgucation center in wichita ks. the owner mark is the man. hope this helps.

[Betelgeuse]

So it's in the USA? If that's the case, unfortunately it's out of my reach as I live in the United Kingdom!

[Lomitus]

Rigel and Slotdrag,

I have to agree that I'd go with Celestron over Meade. I had a Meade (DS 2114 ATS) and the scope while it had a fine mirror, the rest of it was simply junk and the people at Meade were -very- rude and unhelpful to say the least...it took me 6 months before I was able to get a refund on the bugger (bent tripod leg, mirrors wouldn't stay collimated, battery clip broke, Autostar wouldn't align or track, problems with the view finder, yadda yadda yadda). I have looked thru a couple of Celestron's now at local star parties and they seem to be pretty decent (not sure about slotdrags model) and the high end Celestron scopes definatly compair with Meade, if not better. More over, they were friendly and helpful on the phone.

My personal fav is Orion...I got an Apex/StarMax 127mm from them and both the scope and the people were simply wonderful! The guy on the phone even took the time to find out what the music playing while I was on hold was...talk about customer service! LOL! Even the accessories that came with the Orion simply blew the stuff from Meade -out of the water-. The collimation was a tad out when I recieved the scope (probably from being shipped from CA to Ohio) but they sent me the instructions on how to set it up...emailed me with a PDF file like 8 hours after I contacted them!...I got it tweaked the first night out and haven't had to touch it since! I honestly wouldn't hesitate to buy from Orion again...in fact I already have...bought a set of mounting rings for my eq mount...decent price, very high quality, etc., and I plan to get a right angle view finder sometime this next month from them :). When I finally get the money for a larger scope, I'm going to seriously consider one of their 10" or 12" dob's!

Sorry but after the experience I had with Meade, I honestly could not suggest them to my worst enemy! I know there are many folks that are happy with their products and service, but for me it was almost enough to put me off astronomy completely.

As usual, just my $.02 worth!
Bright Blessings & Gentle Breezes,
Jim

[Betelgeuse]

All these comments about the useless customer relations at Meade have put me off slightly! I may leave buying a telescope for a while and do some more research into different brands and products.