eBay - Tele Vue Renaissance f5.4 101mm brass telescope with case and tripod

[moriniboy]

This is currently on eBay and upon closer inspection of the photos I decided to email the seller.

Here is a copy of the response, at least they are being honest but the original listing fails to mention this.

Apologies for not getting back to you earlier this week. The response from Tele Vue in the US came though a day later than I expected, and I haven’t been in every day.

In short, David Nagler from Tele Vue confirms what we already knew in that the telescope is unfortunately ‘useless’ as is - but it could be repaired. He has sent us instructions to attempt to disassemble, clean and reassemble the scope, but we all think that the glass elements in question will not clean as they are actually corroded. Although we are trained in Tele Vue servicing, this is a specialist job that really should warrant the telescope going back to the US and replacement optics being installed. This really needs to be done on an optical bench so the optics can be precisely aligned. They, as the manufacturer, are the best people to do it.

We could try to clean it according to the instructions provided, but if one thing doesn’t go according to plan we would need to ship it anyway for them to complete the work.

For the telescope, the total cost of shipping both ways, plus the parts and labour, would come to £700.00

The tripod is missing the accessory tray, and the original Tele Vue bolts, wing nuts & feet. Replacing these would cost £75.00 and anybody buying this for what it is would want to use original parts.

[AndyH]

............... In short, David Nagler from Tele Vue confirms what we already knew in that the telescope is unfortunately ‘useless’ as is - but it could be repaired. ..................

Em. Okay. How about they update the ad sometime soon. The above, especially, is kind of, just a teensy weensy bit important is it not?

Nice bit of investigation MB

Andy.

[John]

That scope has been on there for a while and this may be the 2nd time they have listed it. Having read the description a couple of times I sort of felt uneasy about it anyway but the additional background information points to much more serious issues than the current description implies.

They really must update it I reckon.

[Peter Drew]

Rather expensive for a piece of brass tube with a focuser?.  

[moriniboy]

Well its been removed now, an error in the listing apparently.