Best Shops - online and in store?

[stevend]

I have only used FLO and Sky's The Limit and both have been superb;

- answering emails and giving advice, even if it means spending less money

- properly packaged and speedy delivery

- (FLO) quickly resolving a warranty return

I got the feeling these were companies run people who cared about both astronomony and their potential customers before I even placed an order.I would not hesitate to recommend both of them.

[Donkeiller]

Greenwitch Telescopes have been very good for me. A bit more expensive than some, but very knowledgeable and helpful.

[JB80]

I would vote for telescope service/express out of Germany for an online store. The service is always excellent, very speedy and they have a wide range of products that are sometimes not available elsewhere. They are also very competitive price wise and with delivery costs are excellent. Plus they know their stuff.

[Clockwork_Orange]

I have dealt with the following :-

FLO

Telescope House

Sherwoods

WideScreen Centre

All of them have providing excellent service, all very helpful and highly recommended. Guess it then comes down to price and availability of which FLO take some beating from what Ive seen.

Regards

John

[dcwales2012]

FLO. But make sure you order before a Thursday. There's nothing more frustrating than having your telescope sitting in the couriers all weekend, when they are 10 miles down the road. Excellent service though from Steve, Martin and crew.

[Scoobygazer]

Thanks to you all for your advice and guidance. Clear Skies

[rob0971]

My local shop, MC2 in frome have been fantastic. Great advice & always up for some haggling. I have had some cracking deals from Charles.

Online I would recommend flo & also had some great deals from Rother valley optics. Modern astronomy has also provided great service.

[Roger Fairhurst]

GREEN WITCH

I received excellent advice and tips from Lee at Green Witch in Birstall when I visited the shop there. He took the time to explain issues which affected the selection of items such, as filters, that I was tempted to buy. There was no "hard sell" or attempt to steer me towards anything I didn't need but his logic in selecting an eyepiece to compliment the ones I already had was professional and much appreciated.

As I was leaving the shop I asked him for a buisness card and it was only then I realised he had a doctor title! I don't know in which subject he holds that title but his knowledge of optical instruments and astronomy seemed, to me at least, profound.

IN FOCUS

I was trying to help my brother in law source spare parts for an old pair of SWIFT binoculars he had bought about 15 years ago at In Focus in Denby Dale Yorkshire. I called the shop and spoke to the manager whose name I'm afraid I can't remember. He said that they hadn't stocked SWIFT for 10 or 12 years but I could try the importers and gave me the name and address. I was able to contact them and although they hadn't imported SWIFT for at least 13 years they were able to supply me with the spares needed from stock!

A visit to the In Focus shop in Denby Dale reinforced this positive image and although they specialise mostly in bins and spotters my brother in law and I spent a pleasureable morning talking with the guy in the shop and trying out numerous bins even though we didn't buy. He was extremely knowledgeable about bins, spotters and photography in addition to being vocal in issues political, social and technical that he felt strongly about!

TELESCOPE SERVICE

Telescope Service (aka Telescope Express) here in Germany are the fastest supplier I have encountered so far. I placed an order for a monopod at 3 o'clock in the afternoon this week via Amazon and it arrived the next day at 8:45 in the morning from Telescope Service in Munich over 400 miles away! I can't speak for there support services but delivery was nearly at the speed of light!

Kind regards

Roger

[mitchelln]

+1 for FLO They have always been best on price for me and the service is great.

[Guest]

Another vote for FLO.

[Dr Strange]

For things that I cannot get or cannot get in a reasonable time I have used First Light Optics (FLO). They are absolutely second to none in terms of service, support, and product availability. I would highly recommend them.

[Anthony1979]

Rother valley optics for my scopes and bits and MPB for my cameras

[RT65CB-SWL]

Here is where I buy from...

• First Light Optics (i.e. FLO) - SGL sponsor. 🇬🇧
• 365Astronomy. 🇬🇧
• AstroBoot - (postage can be expensive for small items). 🇸🇪
• ScopeStuff - you have to pay import duty & VAT.* 🇺🇸
• secondhand - i.e. in the 'classifieds' section/area here on SGL or UKAB&S. 🌍🌎🌏

 

* applicable to residents of GB/UK 🇬🇧 - other countries will need to check the T&C's, etc.

Edited April 10, 2020 by Philip R

[Spaced Out]

On 01/04/2020 at 22:55, Anthony1979 said:

Rother valley optics for my scopes and bits and MPB for my cameras

+1 for Rother Valley Optics, used them a lot and find them very good. Also FLO and TS Optics are very good too.

[Stuart1971]

My vote goes to www.astroshop.eu, They are based in Germany, I don’t shop anywhere else, two day delivery via UPS for £5...can’t beat that, and until this damn virus all there prices are cheaper than UK stockists....but if you do want a UK stockist then the widescreen centre is my choice... 👍

Edited April 10, 2020 by Stuart1971

[johninderby]

There quite a few good astro shops out there that give great service.

• FLO
• Harrison Telescopes 
• Opticstar
• RVO
• 365Astronomy
• Telescope Express

Had a new scope from Astroshop the other week but unfotunately they sent me an old used scope of the wrong type by mistake. Had to wait about two weeks while the “wrong” scope was shipped back to them and the right one shipped out. All good in the end though. Just a bit of a delay.

Edited April 10, 2020 by johninderby

[teoria_del_big_bang]

Blimey, this is an old thread resurrected again 🙂 

I always think threads like this are always difficult to judge who are winners and losers because you can only comment on which shops you have used and often if you get good service you will continue to use the same supplier unless they are out of stock. In general I do not think I have had a bad experience with any astro supplier and from time to time have used most of them at least for an odd item.

Many on this forum will, however, have amassed a lot of gear and may well have used many suppliers along the way and can give better advice. 

It is similar to star ratings and other such ratings they are not always great because when people get service that is below what they would wish they are usually very willing to go out of their way to put their anger out there on what ratings sites they can, and often exaggerate the circumstances, but often can't be bothered to do the same for good or exceptional service so often the ratings are biased one way.

Personally, I have tended to mostly buy equally from both FLO and RVO as both offer exceptional service, advice (unlike many non astro outlets both are not willing to sell you something you don't need just because it is more expensive than the one you originally enquired about), and speed of delivery second to none. Both will also price match if they can and communication is excellent.

When buying small items that can be more difficult as postage often makes up a large proportion of the overall cost so then I may shop around for best deal on postage.

Steve

 

 

[Star101]

I agree with Steve. How can one comment or recommend the shops that one has never used!!

So, here is my happy to recommend listing.

Personally, I do prefer Rother Valley Optics as they are within easy 20 mins driving distance from me.  They do try to price match if they stock it.  Their new showroom is a Candy Store to any Astro nuts 😛 I had to leave as I am some years away from retirement but could see my retirement fund vanishing very quickly. I want one of those and one of those and oh yes, one of those!! lol.

I also do like and use First Light Optics as all the dealings I have had have just worked. What more can I say. I call them, they answer. I order, it arrives.  

I was going to mention Ian King but he is now part of FLO !! Ian supplied me with my Astrodon Filters. Love 'em  

I have purchased a scope from Telescop-Express.de which arrived within their specified time. All good stuff.  

I had heard that Green Witch was a good shop and met the owner at a Astro Fair. And I actually purchased some f/2 fast filters from him. And then discovered he was retiring a few weeks later.   Very nice chap. I wish him well  

365astronomy are very good. I called about something for my C11. Zoltan was very thorough in making sure I had all the correct bits.  Great customer service.

Modern Astronomy have been good to deal with too. Bernard is always happy to help.

I found this thread because I was looking for info about Astroshop. From what I read, they appear to be a very reputable company. I have not yet tried them.

 

So, yes, someone bumped this thread from way back....I'm glad they did

 

Stay safe

Dave.

 

 

 

 

[johninderby]

I have used Astroshop a few times and they have been very good although recently ordered a small mak from them and received an old damaged RC that had been put in the wrong box. Sorted all right and they sent me return shipping labels the next day but had to wait until they had got the RC back and another week to process it and get the mak shipped.

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

First Light Optics

Rother Valley Optics

Telescope House

Harrison Telescopes

Tring Astro

Opticstar

www.Skysthelimit.org.uk (cheapest BST eps)

All have provided products and service I'm happy with.

 

 

[GlenM]

I just never worry when I order from FLO, no anxiety at all. I just know everything will be okay.

 

Stay safe,

Glen.