FLO

Need to make some photos then will reveal in the sponsor section a new premium Alt-Az mount manufactured here in the U.K. 🙂 Sometime early next week. Steve

Hold that thought... 😉 Steve

Have been speaking with iOptron today regarding the new GEM45 mount. I don't think they will mind me sharing this from them: "Around six months ago iOptron rolled out the CEM40 and CEM40EC mounts. Both were well received and continue to rise in demand and unit sales. Initially our thoughts were the CEM40 would directly replace the successful recently discontinued iEQ45 Pro. As inquiries for iEQ45 Pro’s availability or its German eq replacement continued flowing in, we realized there was still strong interest for a German eq mount in the 45lb payload range. Consumers and dealers residing at higher latitudes expressed their need for a mount able to function in such areas. Others simply were more comfortable with the German eq design. To address the opportunity presented, iOptron engineers looked at our CEM40 and realized many of its subcomponents could be used in creating an improved and modern GEM. The GEM45 and GEM45 represent the results of their vision." The iOptron GEM45 & iOptron GEM45EC mounts are now officially released. We shall add them to our website Monday and to our next stock order. HTH, Steve

We aren't planning to but if you'd like to collect one from Lucksall please choose the 'Collection' option when ordering and let us know in the 'Delivery Information' box at the Checkout. HTH, Steve

This upgrade was unexpected so we have only the info available here and at our website. Interestingly, as far as we can tell, the UK is first to have info and stock. Steve

If you already have an EQ8 mount on backorder at FLO we will supply the new EQ8-R at the same price 🙂

The price has increased significantly but that is largely because the previous EQ8 was heavily discounted. As always we will periodically compare our prices then adjust ours to ensure we are competitive.

Sky-Watcher have today revealed a new updated EQ8 mount, the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R 🙂 Improvements over the previous EQ8 model include: Cable management system for reduced tangling. Improved Connectivity. Improved installation position of motors for improved balance. Improved clutch mechanism provides more holding strength. Improved dovetail groove knob for added comfort and increased locking power. Belt drive on the DEC axes for quiet slewing. Note: Freedom-Find encoders are not present on the EQ8-R.

We have also received our first delivery of new 'Limited Edition' William Optics SpaceCat 51 telescopes 😎 Essentially it is identical to the new V1.5 RedCat but with gun-metal grey livery. Also £699.

For those of you who already have a William Optics RedCat 51 (V1) telescope on backorder at FLO we have good news: You will receive the new V1.5 model for the same price (saving £50) 🙂 (Unfortunately doing this has wiped out our first delivery of V1.5 RedCats but we are expecting more to arrive in 2-3 weeks). Steve

William Optics have updated their RedCat 51 😀 The new William Optics RedCat 51 V1.5 model has the same 51mm f/4.9 Petzval optics with FPL53 and FPL51 ED glass elements but features a new integrated camera tilt adjuster, an updated mounting ring with longer dovetail (easier balancing) and a new focusing index. An optional saddle handle-bar is also now available. For this new model the price has risen £649 -> £699.

Yes. No problem 🙂 If you email us your request we will respond with price & ETA. Or you can speak with Ian direct at: Email. info@ikarusimaging.comTel. 01392 791001‬ HTH, Steve

No problem 🙂 It is good to hear your new Esprit telescope is performing well. Steve

We are aware of the new eyepiece and are quietly confident we will receive some around Oct/Nov. HTH, Steve

Sorry - we don't need any 'New Gear Testers' at the moment 😛

Due to continued growth we have two job opportunities for someone living in the Exeter area. ------------------------------------------- Office Administrator and Bookkeeper We are an online retailer specialising in optical equipment for astronomy and nature enthusiasts. We are looking for a full-time administrative assistant to work at our premises on Marsh Barton industrial estate. Responsibilities include: Handling administrative requests and queries. Monitoring stock/inventory. Placing (and chasing!) supplier orders. Updating customers. General book-keeping, emailing & filing. To be successful in this role you must have: Good time management skills and ability to prioritise. Strong I.T skills including email, word processing & spreadsheets. Be able to use computers to generate reports and conduct research. Have knowledge of office management systems and procedures Show attention to detail. Have a sense of humour! Prior administrative experience preferred but not essential. Hours: 9.30-5 Job Type: Full-time Salary: £17-20k depending on experience. ------------------------------------------- Part Time Dispatch Operative We are an online retailer specialising in optical equipment for astronomy and nature enthusiasts. We are looking for a part-time dispatch operative to work at our premises on Marsh Barton industrial estate. Responsibilities include: Receiving goods in/out Picking and packing customer orders Handling customer returns Some emailing, filing and order updating Keeping area clean and tidy Making great coffee 🙂 To be successful in this role you must: Have good time keeping Be literate, numerate & able to use a computer Be hard-working and conscientious Show attention to detail Be able to admit mistakes Have a sense of humour! Hours: Can be flexible. Job Type: Part-time Salary: £8.50 /hour ------------------------------------------- To apply for either role, please send your C.V to: jointheteam@firstlightoptics.com

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/lakeside-motor-focusers.html The Lakeside Astro motor focus system, designed and built by Peter Chance here in the UK for the past 10+ years and previously sold directly or via Ian King Imaging is now part of the FLO family We are taking over production, support and retail of these products. We currently have a batch of stock but more units, brackets and cables are in production and will be with us soon. These have proven to be a rock solid reliable product that are used worldwide by astronomers, many in remote operations - indeed Ian has mentioned that in his IC Astronomy remote telescope hosting, a lot of residents are using the Lakeside products. With good software support in ASCOM and dedicated drivers for TheSkyX and Indi not to mention custom designed brackets suitable for 100's of different telescope models we are extremely product to carry this product on. Peter will still be around to offer support particularly whilst we get up to speed with these. We want to thank Peter for his dedication to the astronomy community over the past 10+ years and all the help and support he continues to give us.

For more info regarding the Es Reid test and how it came into being please see this discussion here at SGL. Es Reid checked telescopes

No. If you purchase an Esprit telescope without an Es Reid bench test then find it’s optics require realignment under warranty we will collect it then relay it to Sky-Watcher’s appointed UK distributor (OVL) who will handle the realignment. (Assuming of course we haven’t simply replaced the telescope). We don’t know who the distributor uses for optical work. It is not Es. If you purchase a telescope with an Es Reid bench test then find it needs attention FLO will collect it and Es will make the necessary adjustments. That is a good summary. It is an optional additional layer of QC made available in response to requests from customers. HTH, Steve

Actually, problems with Esprit optics are unusual. Here at SGL we resisted offering an Es Reid test for Esprits (an unnecessary expense in most instances) but we received so many requests we made it available as an option. Very occasionally Es does find one that needs adjustment but that is rare. HTH, Steve

Some retailers will do a simple star test if requested (it isn't difficult) but as far as I know the Es Reid bench test (by someone who truly understands optics) is a FLO exclusive. Steve

Had better not comment 😇 Steve

So not one of ours. No problem 🙂 Hope you find a solution soon. Steve

I don’t recall anyone reporting a faulty temperature sensor but, if it is one of ours, we will happily arrange collection & replacement. HTH, Steve

This thread was started because back in March (when we became an iOptron dealer) iOptron mounts were difficult to source in the UK so it pleases me greatly to say CEM40, CEM60 and CEM120 mounts (both regular & EC versions) are now available for overnight delivery from our warehouse in Exeter 🙂 We will do our best to keep it that way... Steve