FLO

There are a lot of new products in the pipeline, from a number of manufacturers 🙂

We switched off the $ & € buttons only because they caused confusion. They were provided in the hope our non-UK customers would find them useful. The prices they displayed were based on the daily currency exchange-rate, which varies. Also payment providers like Paypal, Visa, etc, apply their own currency conversion rates so the amount paid differed slightly to the price displayed on our product page. Only by a small amount but enough to cause confusion. HTH, Steve

They haven't set a date, they say only that it will be this month. I guess they will stop distribution when stock in their warehouse has cleared, along with any remaining incoming stock. HTH

Our Celestron prices will be fluctuating for a few days because the Celestron distributor we normally use is closing. The new (to us) distributor has provided a new price list. We imported it into our inventory system which initially set everything at RRP. That was earlier today. Now we must work our way through the products, series by series, accessories too, setting them to something more realistic. By the end of tonight they will make more sense but it will probably be another week or two (after we have run some price comparison reports) before they settle. This is something that affects all specialist astronomy retailers. Not just FLO. Please feel free to email price-match requests. HTH, Steve

During the pandemic it is almost impossible to say what is/isn't trending because sales of virtually all astronomy kit have gone through the roof! Astronomy is an ideal hobby for someone stuck at home during a lockdown. Also experienced astronomers unable to holiday abroad are using the money saved to upgrade. The only fly in the ointment is manufacturers are unable to keep up with demand. I expect things will settle down when a vaccine becomes readily available, perhaps 6-12 months. Steve

Also, to compliment the new eyepieces, a StellaLyra ED Deluxe 2x 2" Barlow Lens 🙂

Manufactured by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan 🙂 StellaLyra SuperView eyepieces Many here will recognise these eyepieces. They are a well established design. Fully multi-coated edge-blackened optics in a machined aluminium body with rubber grip & smooth nosepiece.

Cough 🙂 The Bresser Messier 6" Planetary Dobsonian telescope is now in stock at FLO. Steve

As requested 🙂 Bresser Messier 6" Planetary Dobsonian telescope In stock.

Sorry to hear you feel that way. I can assure you that was not his intention. Ian is not a fob-you-off kinda guy 🙂 HTH Steve

That is NOT FLO's stock response. It never has been. Ian first thought it could be firmware related so suggested ZWO support might provide some input. It is normal for us to ask how the camera is powered because most apparent faults are related to power supply. Your camera was then collected and tested in our workshop. We concluded it was performing to spec. No. They are not! 🙂 ZWO, QHY and ToupTek are not all the same. They are three entirely different and unrelated manufacturers. It is okay to choose the cheaper product. It is not necessary to bash other brands in an attempt to justify your choice. Steve

In Summer 2019 Ian King joined FLO and his 'Ian King Imaging' website became Ikarus Imaging. We built Ikarus Imaging to ensure Ian's customers had continued access to the same high-end mounts, cameras and telescopes and could continue speaking directly with him via phone or email. We soon learned most IKI customers were also FLO customers so didn't feel the need for a separate website. They wanted everything under under one roof so all products have been moved into FLO. After a rebuild, the Ikarus Imaging website will become home for the Ikarus Imaging Observatory in Castilléjar, Spain. It will also showcase the products, services and tuition we provide to our educational and commercial clients. If you are a new or experienced astrophotographer looking for advice or an educational or commercial organisation wanting someone to project-manage an installation upgrade or new observatory build. We can help. Ian's contact details are unchanged and can be found at the Ikarus Imaging website. Tel. 01392 791001 Email. info@ikarusimaging.com Thank-you for your continued support. The FLO / Ikarus team 🤗

Welcome to SGL @Samuel Khodari I am guessing you are posting from outside the UK. In the UK most ZWO cameras are purchased at FLO. We have a workshop with two full-time staff and on the rare occasion a camera requires returning to ZWO, if it is a current model and in good condition, we simply replace it. (Warranty claims are rare so we can afford to be generous). We chose ZWO because their cameras are part of a mature, well designed, modular system and are supplied with all the adapters you are likely to need to achieve correct spacing. Their drivers, firmware, memory buffer and USB-3 are very stable so new cameras can be added with little or no drama. Also the ZWO ASIair, which is also regularly updated, has some nice features and is compatible with everything in the ZWO family. We cannot speak for QHY or ToupTek (aka Altair Astro, Orion, etc) cameras because we don't sell them. HTH, Steve

No problem but Johninderby is right, if the spider-vane is bent please check the rest of the scope for damage and keep the box/packaging for a while. It will then be easier for us to collect if necessary.

You are welcome to remove and straighten it but we’ll still send you a new spider vane.

Sorry to hear that. It is not serious but it should be straight for a clean diffraction spike. We will of course send you a new spider-vane (they are easy to fit). Will contact Bresser in the morning for ETA. Feel free to use the telescope. HTH, Steve

I see this morning it is on a DHL van in your area so should be with you today 🙂 Let us hope they have both packages... Steve

@Matt01 That must be frustrating. At least DHL's tracking info confirms it was collected from our warehouse yesterday. DHL are a good courier, I am confident their tracking will make sense in the morning. If it doesn't please drop us an email, we will then chase them for you when we reopen tomorrow. HTH, Steve

Unfortunately that question is not easy for us to answer (applies also to a number of other Astro Essentials products sourced from the same manufacturer in China). The factory appears permanently stuck on "will dispatch in 1-2x weeks" but appears unable to do so. I guess we shouldn't be too critical, these are extraordinary times and most/all Chinese manufactures are struggling with high demand and materials shortages, but some manufacturers are better communicators than others. Currently we don't have a reliable ETA for this product so will understand if you choose to cancel, otherwise we will dispatch one to you as soon as we are able. Promise. Steve

I don't know you from your username but we have several 10" Quattro telescopes arriving at the warehouse this week. If you've been waiting since August then I am confident one will be assigned to you 🙂 HTH, Steve

We won't 🙂 My colleagues in the warehouse are assigning them to customers in date order. I am confident yours will be dispatched today. It is better if you email your questions because we then have all your info to hand. Generally speaking each order is handled separately and dispatched when complete but if you have requested they be dispatched together then they will. HTH, Steve

It certainly has 😎 We have been receiving several pallets of Sky-watcher stock daily since last Thursday. More arriving tomorrow and Thursday. No problem, I have seen your PM and will reply tomorrow when at my desk. All good 🙂 Steve

Yes. Our stock delivery of Bresser Messier 10" Dobsonians has arrived 🙂 My colleagues in the warehouse are assigning them to customer orders and dispatching as I type. We will have two remaining... Bresser Messier 10" Dobsonian Telescope After they have sold there will be none until early next year. Steve

Not yet. Will post here when we have news.

Our warehouse will remain open. Our business is low risk so we can continue receiving and dispatching orders. I am pleased for my colleagues and our customers but am aware many businesses are not as fortunate so posting a happy smiley doesn’t feel appropriate. These are extraordinary times. Steve