"Eshow-Walkie-Talkie-Shop" on eBay

[DRT]

Note to Mods/Admin: I do not know whether or not this post breaks any rules or if I have put it in the right place. Apologies in advance for any transgression, which I am sure you will take care of if necessary. If all is ok please let me know so that I can remove this note

Has anyone used a company named "Eshow-Walkie-Talkie-Shop" trading at "eshow.co.ltd" on eBay?

My reason for asking is that I noticed they are selling a few different sizes of shorty achro refractors that bear a striking resemblance to those sold by Altair/WO and others that are advertised at extremely low prices. You can see examples from the link above. From the pictures the build quality looks good, particularly the 2" dual-speed focusers which would normally retail for the same or more than they are asking for an entire scope!

They also seem to have a significant stock of astro accessories at the mid to low end of the market. The blurb on their "shop" page says they have stocks held in the UK and other European countries buy the items themselves all seem to be coming direct from China and many are unbranded.

It would be interesting to know is anyone has had good or bad experience of the seller or their products.

 

[iapa]

Just took a quick look at a 10:1 crawford focuser they had - I would avoid that one as there is limited adjustment and no opportinutiy to add a focus motor. Neither is it rotatable, where as a Skywatcher manufactured focuser is 16% cheaper

Looks like you don't quite get what you pay for.

Of course, I'd be perfectly happy to let someone else purchase from this supplier and provide a review of the product received.

A lot of Chinese produced 'cheap' equipment is well engineered and reliable. Unfortunately, not all.

Edited December 30, 2016 by iapa

[Putaendo Patrick]

Can't say a find the prices at all attractive.

Compare for example, Eshow's basic 130mm reflector http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?toolid=10029&campid=CAMPAIGNID&customid=CUSTOMID&catId=625&type=2&ext=201704366073&item=201704366073  with the Celestron Astromaster 130 from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromaster-series/celestron-astromaster-130eq-telescope.html

298 pounds versus 139 pounds for two scopes with roughly similar specifications. Of course I might be missing something, but it sounds like a right royal rip off to me.

As for the refractors - take away the superficial similarity to better known brands, and think of these as tarted up toy telescopes and they're expensive for what they are. Just my thoughts anyway! Looking at a few individual items, all ship from China - so I don't know about European stock!