What's the difference?

Trido (Justin) · #1 10-02-2008, 04:35 PM

I think some of the eyepieces are different in the below links, but I think both scopes are made by the same company aren't they? If so, then why pay an extra $100 for the Bintel? BTW, I am looking at the 12" Dob.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm
https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=6994

madtuna (Steve) · #2 10-02-2008, 04:56 PM

with the Andrews you get 3 extra eyepieces as well and yeah..save $100.
Delivery is going to be the killer to QLD

Karlsson · #3 10-02-2008, 05:01 PM

From your second link:

"Every Bintel Telescope has been given a full checkup prior to sale. The Optical Tube Assembly is thoroughly checked and collimated to ensure your new telescope is going to perform as you would expect.
Not only can we supply an excellent telescope at a fantastic price, we offer the after service support to ensure years of happy observing. You get piece of mind with our comprehensive 2 year guarantee. "

In my personal experience this statement can be relied upon - and there are many threads in this forum that will confirm Bintel's excellent service.

I have never dealt with Andrews though.... Anyway, my two cents

Scooter · #4 10-02-2008, 05:10 PM

Transport for me from Andrews to Brisbane was $80 for next day delivery of the 12" Dob.

Can't argue with that I thought

Trido (Justin) · #5 10-02-2008, 05:17 PM

Yeah, I live in Toowoomba and I wondered what the freight cost would be.

Bintel do seem to have a great name though. Is it true that Bintel are just rebranded GSO?

madtuna (Steve) · #6 10-02-2008, 05:49 PM

I've dealt with both Andrews and Bintel and found both pre and post sales service to be excellent.

I have had a couple of minor hickups with advice from Bintel, not withstanding I would still rate them as excellent and have no hesitation dealing with or reccommending them again.

When it comes to parting with cash though, I have a problem with paying $100 extra for the same product. Yes Bintel justify it by offering excellent after sales service and garrentee. But honestly, I've got the same after sales service and garrentee from Andrews..for free.

Kokatha man · #7 10-02-2008, 05:49 PM

Hi Trido - have dealt with both these companies in recent times and my appraisal goes like this.....

Without question Bintel are superior in terms of their knowledge and their ability/readiness to "tell it like it is" from an experienced AA's point of view. (Don in Sydney's Binel shop is especially knowledgable/ frank and ready to converse.)

On the other hand Andrews, whilst not "unhelpfull" are less enquiry/customer/back-up oriented (or possibly capable re expertise) but they are cheaper in most similar stock items!

Their "free freight" Australia wide deal on certain products at the moment is also really hard to ignore!

Recently, purchasing an HEQ5 Goto SynScan mount from them, I afterwards rang and spoke to Lee re the need to "re-factor" for time zones etc for Sth Aust & NT's peculiar half hour timezone. He then put the question to Luke (their telescope "man") - neither of them could answer what I thought was a pretty basic question on a (not inexpensive) piece of equipment.

Now, I realize that this is only one instance and this is in no way intended as some sort of damning criticism of Andrews: it's just that anything and everything I ring Bintel for is answered to the utmost without any reservations. Maybe service is worth that bit extra.....

At any rate, I should state that I have no intention of not dealing with Andrews again!

GSO optics/equipment is sold by both companies and also comes under "brand names" that aren't just local badging - Bintel does make the claim (and I believe it to be true) that its' re-badged stuff is checked/quality controlled by them here in Aust.

Cheers, Darryl.

madtuna (Steve) · #8 10-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Reading the replies it seems different people have had different experiances with both companies but both are respected and reccomended.

Either toss a coin or go with what your wallet says

Basically the same product, 1 is $100 cheaper and has 3 extra eye pieces, the other has a shiny sticker that says Bintel

Bintel possibly has the edge in the knowledge and after sales service area though both are excellent.

Not much goes wrong with a GSO dob

Trido (Justin) · #9 10-02-2008, 07:21 PM

heh That makes it a really tough decision. I am not too worried about a lack of knowledge in the sales people as we have this wonderful resource and I would never buy anything without talking to you guys first. Aftersales support is important to me, especially since I am not local so I would rather someone who would make it as painless as possible to rectify any potential problem.

CoombellKid · #10 10-02-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokatha man

GSO optics/equipment is sold by both companies and also comes under "brand names" that aren't just local badging - Bintel does make the claim (and I believe it to be true) that its' re-badged stuff is checked/quality controlled by them here in Aust.

Cheers, Darryl.

Do Bintel sell the straight (unbadged) GSO version too?. In all honesty how
well will a massed produced newt stay collimnated after traveling halfway
across the country on a truck. Especially after it has to do the first few
hundred kms on NSW roads

. Your still going to have to weak it once
you get it.

I've dealt with both companies too, although I had a hickcup on one ocassion
with Bintel. I find both retailers to be excellent to deal with. I'd reccomend
either. But in the end I would go the cheaper deal. On things a bit more
specialised I'd more than likely go with someone like Bintel, Star Optics....etc...

regards,CS

kljucd1 (Daniel) · #11 10-02-2008, 08:51 PM

Hi,

The one time I went into Andrew's I was told by Lee that a set of OTA rings would cost me about $40,000 as the guy who he was going to get to make them hadn't called him back; that is after telling me that he did have some

. Didn't seem to be joking, so I am not sure why he said it.

Regards

Daniel...

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #12 10-02-2008, 10:24 PM

$40,000....bargain!

I've found Andrews fine as a kinda no frills service, whereas bintel offer perhaps more of a full service on products; they have also on occasion sent out small parts such as teflon etc free of charge...great customer relations

Zuts · #13 10-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Hi,

Here is an example of service I received from Bintel

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=26415

Paul

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 10-02-2008, 11:32 PM

I bought my 10" GSO Dob from Andrews Communications.
At the time it was $70 delivery to Kilcoy.
It was a totally problem free transaction.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #15 10-02-2008, 11:48 PM

free delivery and $100 cheaper heh

how much would it cost you if you had to send it back because there was something wrong with it ? (given that Bintel open the box and check the scope out before they send it to you )

but I am biased

geoff

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #16 10-02-2008, 11:58 PM

sorry - did i misread that ?

3 extra eyepieces then and pay for delivery

same kettle of fish

and the further i was away - the more i would want that box opened before it was shipped

geoff

madtuna (Steve) · #17 11-02-2008, 12:29 AM

Andrews will gladly open the box and check it for you free of charge on request.
Andrews have no problem discussing a possible purchase over the phone for 35 minutes and no problem assisting on the phone for 40 minutes after your purchase aswell as mailing out a comprehensive instruction sheet with links to different websites.
I bought a wrong item from Andrews,(my fault) rang them up a week later to ask for an exchange and the new item arrived the same day as I posted off the original item.

I went to buy an EQ6 from Bintel. I took in my C8, showed them and asked what else I'd need to fit it to the EQ6.
They informed me I'd need a Losmandy dovetail and quoted me a price.
By the time I got to the register the price had increased by $20.
I mentioned it and he said it was the wrong one, even though it was the same one he showed me and had the price on the plastic wrapper.

I ended up not buying the EQ6 that day from them because they do not take cheques so opted for delivery, and would pay via bank transfer, the deliver fee changed 3 times.

I discovered I could get it $200 cheaper from Andrews and $20 cheaper delivery. I told them I bought the Losmandy mount from Bintel and he said I didn't need to as the EQ6 came with one suitable, which it did.

Saying that, I still buy certain things from Bintel and for the most part have only had good service from them.

CoombellKid · #18 11-02-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

free delivery and $100 cheaper heh

how much would it cost you if you had to send it back because there was something wrong with it ? (given that Bintel open the box and check the scope out before they send it to you )

but I am biased

geoff

Ok I will bite! How many GSO's purchased through Andrews have needed
to be sent back?

I know of one or two Bintel GSO have, just search the forums. One recently
had crap all over the mirror and another had a big scratch on the mirror
and had to be replaced??? quality control must of been down on the
purchases

regards,CS

CoombellKid · #19 11-02-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kljucd1

Hi,

The one time I went into Andrew's I was told by Lee that a set of OTA rings would cost me about $40,000 as the guy who he was going to get to make them hadn't called him back; that is after telling me that he did have some

. Didn't seem to be joking, so I am not sure why he said it.

Regards

Daniel...

Dang! I had a set here you could of had for $20,000.00.... but sadly I already
sold them for $40.00

Obviously $40,000 is incorrect or mistakingly said, it aint rock science

regards,CS

Glenhuon (Bill) · #20 11-02-2008, 12:16 PM

I've dealt with both companies over the last 12 months and found both to be extremely helpful and giving good service. Andrews in the main are cheaper but I've found the quality of supplied goods to be on a par.

Bill