APM optics

[25585]

How much of APM labelled products are actually theirs?

Diagonals, seem like Baader, especially the Hershel 2 inch. Binoculars are spitting images of Helios models such as the Lightquests. Eyepieces share similarity with several others.

The question is, are these sticker priced-up items, or APM's own products? 

[DirkSteele]

Very few astronomy companies are actually original equipment manufacturers anymore.  Almost all effectively source their products from the same optical suppliers (typically in the far east) and badge them with their own branding.  However, just because the externals appear the same, does not mean they are the same product.  Each re-brander is free to specify their own level of quality, fit, finish etc which can mean there are differences between similar looking products in terms of performance.

 

With regards APM, I am not sure how  much of their overall product catalogue is produced in house, but many of the unique products like the Massimo Riccardi reducers for their Apo refractors are likely outsourced to a dedicated optical house and manufactured to spec.  The same would be with the Monocentric eyepieces.  Their high end Apo refractors for example, the optics come from LZOS in Russia, the focusers are typically Starlight Instruments Feathertouch from the US, and I believe they make their Kruppax optical tubes in house.  Something similar could be said about Takahashi as they source their optics from Canon/Optron.