New scope and a whole load of mixed emotions...

[parallaxerr]

Just recently after a shorter than planned absence from astronomy, I decided to purchase a new scope. I had previously sold up due to having too much invested in the hobby and I wasn't getting the time to use the equipment due to having a young family. However, I missed observing sorely and as Murphy's law would dictate, my youngest has settled into a decent sleeping pattern (touching lots of wood here) and the opportunity to observe presented itself on a few occasions. 

In order not to fall into the same trap again, I have purchased a new scope, entire EP case, diagonal, finder etc. but this time all for less than my previous scope alone cost. I still had my AZ4 mount in the loft due to it not selling previously.

I've always like a long achro, so I researched the available options. Having failed to buy several 4" scopes due to inaccurate reporting of stock levels by several vendors, I eventually pulled the trigger on a Vixen A80MF which was guaranteed in-stock. It was to come from Germany and it arrived earlier today along with all the other parts via various couriers.

I have previously grumbled on the forum about my terrible back luck with Astro purchases and the seemingly endless supply of faulty or sub-par goods......and at first glance it appeared this was to be a repeat experience 🙄

On the initial un-packing of the Vixen, all seemed relatively OK. I was immediately impressed with the paint on the OTA which is smooth, glossy classic Vixen white. I then noted that the dew cap was a particularly poor/loose fit, but hey ho, no biggy. Further inspection revealed a nibble to the dovetail bar...hmmmm…..this scope has been mounted before. Still, it looks like new, maybe a brief ex-demo? The accessories are certainly still sealed in factory wrapping, I'll forgive the vendor this little omission. But then as every new scope inspection goes, I turned to the objective lens......

FILTHY

INSIDE & OUT

…….SIGH......For some reason the phrase "some mothers do 'have 'em" entered my head. I now consider myself the Frank Spencer of astro purchases.

Enter thoughts of the hassle of returns, especially overseas, communicating by e-mail with a non-English speaker etc. etc. When will I learn!? I really can't be bothered with that lot, let's have a closer look. Remove dew shield....

Dust, lots and lots of dust. Grease marks and is that a chip and a scratch on the inside? To hell with it, this is a £200 scope and I know for a fact it has the same lens cell, or at least very similar to, the venerable ST80, which I have previously disassembled. Out it comes. Whilst removing, I notice that the retaining ring is not tight and the objective can be felt to move ever so slightly in the cell.

20 minutes later and what do you know, a clean, grease free objective. The chip was a flake of black paint and that scratch, well I don't know what it was but it isn't there any more....Relief. Re-fit lens cell and proceed to tube tap whilst re-tightening retaining ring to an "adequate" torque. I pointed the scope out the window to focus on some street lights a few miles away to see what I could make of the performance, only to note that the skies were clear! 10 minutes later I'm set up outside, but the scope coat goes straight on for a brief rain shower. After a little while I went back out to patchy but fast moving cloud for first light. 

Concentric intra-focal rings, nice airy discs in moments of good seeing and sharp images ensued. There was a hint of lens spacers nibbling at the out of focus star image edges but I expected this commonly reported (non) issue. A complete lack of spherical aberration that I could detect and excellent control of colour. Yay, a slightly dulled moment of jubilation. At least it's not a complete lemon.

A quick scan around the sky saw the scope present a lovely rich orange view of Betelgeuse, easily split Mizar and Alcor at low power, show a surprising amount of detail in M42 with a tack sharp trapezium and even pulled out Bodes Neb and Cigar Galaxy pairing. As for the scope mechanics, the focuser is a bit stiff but smooth enough and the depth of focus makes focusing easy. I didn't even unpack the supplied diagonal or finder, instead fitting my preferred altair astro items.

What a roller-coaster of an evening, excitement, denial, dis-belief, frustration and jubilation all within a few hours. I think I need a few days to come down now before I actually get the scope out again and get to observing and forget about the issues! I'm off to bed!

This is after cleaning the outside, showing the level of dust on the inside

After cleaning

 

[F15Rules]

What a rollercoaster!

Glad it all seems to have worked out for you now though.

Vixen make fine scopes and I'm sure  now you've fettled it, it will meet or exceed your expectations 👍😊.

Dave

 

[John]

Not a good purchasing experience but fortunately with a good outcome thanks to you keeping a steady head and a practical attitude.

Was this sold as a new optical tube ?

Have you relayed the issues you had with the scope to the supplier ?

 

[parallaxerr]

Yes it was sold as new John. I 'll contact the seller tomorrow and point them to this thread, though they'll probably say any claim is void due to disassembling the scope.

The fact that the scope is of less value than my previous scopes makes me less stressed about it though and I'm not bothered about a replacement now that it's sorted. If it were more expensive, I'd have boxed it straight back up for a return. I'd be interested in what they have to say though, if they offer any comment at all.

EDIT: Just mailed the seller with a link to this thread. Let's see what they say!

Edited March 12, 2020 by parallaxerr

[parallaxerr]

30 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Vixen make fine scopes and I'm sure  now you've fettled it, it will meet or exceed your expectations 👍😊.

Hope so Dave, but I think their fine reputation comes only from the Japan made scopes 😁

[wornish]

Was the seller a company or an individual?

If it was a company it would be good to know the name so I can avoid them.

[Rob]

Glad your up and running. But you should not have to go through this situation with a NEW purchase. Lets hope the supplier sees fit to compensate in some way.. even a credit note / voucher for there store would be a nice touch.

Hope it serves you well mind.

Rob

[parallaxerr]

14 minutes ago, wornish said:

Was the seller a company or an individual?

If it was a company it would be good to know the name so I can avoid them.

It was a company Dave, but I always feel reluctant to "name & shame" for some reason. Let's see what their response is first  

12 minutes ago, Rob said:

Glad your up and running. But you should not have to go through this situation with a NEW purchase. Lets hope the supplier sees fit to compensate in some way.. even a credit note / voucher for there store would be a nice touch.

Hope it serves you well mind.

Rob

My thoughts exactly Rob, I'm waiting to hear back from them today.

[parallaxerr]

Well I received a response from the vendor and they claim the scope was shipped to me as it was received from Vixen.

I've just responded saying that if that is in fact true, then it's a QC problem with Vixen in this case. I doubt they'll offer any form of compensation but it's not worth chasing. 

Just putting it down to bad luck, at least the lens is clean and collimated now.

Edited March 13, 2020 by parallaxerr

[Rob]

Disappointing.... indeed. Well I'm just glad you took your approach and made good. Just enjoy it now

[jock1958]

Sorry to read about your Vixen woes, it's definitely not what you would expect of a new item and vendors response is not good either!

Going back to your original post I'm sure on doublets to avoid pinched optics retainer rings are finger tight only (correct me if I'm wrong), I know my TAL 100RS retainer ring was loose when I received it.

[parallaxerr]

17 minutes ago, jock1958 said:

Sorry to read about your Vixen woes, it's definitely not what you would expect of a new item and vendors response is not good either!

Going back to your original post I'm sure on doublets to avoid pinched optics retainer rings are finger tight only (correct me if I'm wrong), I know my TAL 100RS retainer ring was loose when I received it.

The vendor has now offered a small gesture of compensation and has offered to exchange, should I so choose, but I'll stick with what I've got now.

Yes you're correct. It's what I meant by "adequate" torque I suppose, enough to hold the optics without pinching. They were definitely too loose on receipt.

Edited March 13, 2020 by parallaxerr

[mikeDnight]

Dear Frank, - sorry - Jon.

My heart sank as I read your post, and I began thinking that somebody somewhere is hell bent on stopping you from enjoying this hobby.  I have to say that I'd be very surprised if that scope left Vixen with so much dust on both sides of the objective, though I'm also at a loss as to how it could get so dusty inside. Anyhow, I am really pleased you successfully  cleaned your objective, and the images were good. The scope looks beautiful on its AZ4, and I'm certain it will give you some very pleasing views. And we've got some great things to look forward too this year with the spring Moon and Mars, along with the other planets being reasonably well placed. 

 

[JeremyS]

18 hours ago, parallaxerr said:

Is that a four foot tripod, Jon?

 

🙂

 

[parallaxerr]

2 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Is that a four foot tripod, Jon?

 

🙂

 

Haha, very good Jeremy!

[parallaxerr]

3 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I began thinking that somebody somewhere is hell bent on stopping you from enjoying this hobby

It has felt that way a few times Mike. I sometimes think it's because I'm incredibly fussy, but then other forum members tend to agree with my feelings. 

Resisting buying and selling so much should help, I've learnt what's possible with certain kit now and how, for me, large investments didn't improve the views such as to justify the expenditure.

I need to be "happy with my lot" now and get on with some serious observing!

[John]

I don't think you are being over fussy at all. If you buy a new scope it should be immaculate. I've only bought a couple new over the years and they arrived mint and spotless.

 

[nightfisher]

Glad to hear you got it sorted, i bet you will continue to enjoy this scope for many years, i still miss my Vixen 80M custom, i so should of kept that scope

[mark81]

Good to see your back observing ..  I remember all the problems you had a few months back and it's been interesting seeing all the different scopes you've had..

The Vixen has a nice focal length, good enough aperture and still falls into that portable category...

I'll look forward to hearing how it performs...

Clear skies

Mark