North Group APOs

adman (Adam) · #1 15-02-2010, 05:06 PM

Hi all,

does anyone who bought the 127ED APOs from North Group in China know whether they also do the 80mm triplet. The Made In China website says they do - but no other details like price etc.

I am guessing that it would be similar to the Meade Series 5000 Triplet APO.

Thanks
Adam

AlexN · #2 15-02-2010, 05:10 PM

Its very likely to be exactly like the Meade 5000 80mm triplet.. The North Group website used to list the 80mm triplet price and details, although I've not looked in quite a while.. I'd shoot them an Email and ask the question.. Would be interesting to find out what they are worth..

adman (Adam) · #3 15-02-2010, 05:33 PM

I was reading an old thread today, and they talked about a contact with North Group called "Gilman" any ideas if he is still there?

Octane (Humayun) · #4 15-02-2010, 05:37 PM

Adam,

Yes, but, you mightn't get a reply quickly.

I was in touch with Gilman not so long ago. They're trying to sort out the issues with the ED127 not coming to focus with eyepieces.

Not sure how they'll sort that out, but, I did let him know that whilst it's not an issue for me (purely an imager at heart) that I did suffer from the same problem.

H

adman (Adam) · #5 15-02-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

I was in touch with Gilman not so long ago.

You wouldn't happen to have his email address to hand would you??

Thanks
Adam

adman (Adam) · #6 15-02-2010, 05:52 PM

Never mind, I just found his email address in an old post. I should look first and ask questions later...

Adam

DavidU (Dave) · #7 15-02-2010, 05:56 PM

After sending several emails to Gilman wanting to order a 127 ED I still have received no email from him.

adman (Adam) · #8 15-02-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidU

After sending several emails to Gilman wanting to order a 127 ED I still have received no email from him.

hmm...that doesn't sound too hopeful. Humayun, how long ago did you get in touch with him? Was it by email?

Adam

Octane (Humayun) · #9 15-02-2010, 06:25 PM

Yeah, a couple of weeks back.

I asked him to get in touch with DavidU.

I think they're trying to sort out the focuser issues before taking any more orders.

H

adman (Adam) · #10 15-02-2010, 06:36 PM

all the same, a little communication goes a long way...

gbeal · #11 15-02-2010, 06:45 PM

Not Chinese New Year as well is it, that will likely make a difference.
Gary

adman (Adam) · #12 15-02-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbeal

Not Chinese New Year as well is it, that will likely make a difference.
Gary

I did think about that. The actual day was yesterday. Year of the Tiger. I am hoping for it to be the Year of the 80mm Triplet APO

I have sent Gilman an email asking for details, so we will se what happens.

pmrid (Peter) · #13 15-02-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adman

You wouldn't happen to have his email address to hand would you??

Thanks
Adam

Sorry to butt in: I have the address handy so here it is:
gilman@northgroup.cn
Peter

Octane (Humayun) · #14 15-02-2010, 06:58 PM

He found the address already, Peter. I was hesitant in posting the address as he's not likely to reply to anyone as it is.

H

Tandum (Robin) · #15 15-02-2010, 07:28 PM

If you look up Hong Kong Public Holidays you'll see they are off till the 16th at least.

marki · #16 16-02-2010, 12:25 AM

Would the Northgroup version be significantly cheaper then the meade version sold here? I paid about $800 from memory and it came with 2 inch diagonal and a ali hard case. It's a nice little refractor with good colour correction but the focuser is a bit iffy. Stuck a moonlite on mine and now it's a nice little imaging machine.

Mark

Tandum (Robin) · #17 16-02-2010, 12:36 AM

This is from May last year, I dunno if the price has changed or if it's the scope in question :-

our ED80 with dual speed focuser, OTA,
with ring and dovetail rail,
with aluminium case package,
without diagonal,eyepiece,finder scope.
USD360

marki · #18 16-02-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

This is from May last year, I dunno if the price has changed or if it's the scope in question :-

our ED80 with dual speed focuser, OTA,
with ring and dovetail rail,
with aluminium case package,
without diagonal,eyepiece,finder scope.
USD360

So that makes it about $400 AU + shipping. Could get a reasonable saving from that.

Mark

gb_astro · #19 16-02-2010, 06:26 PM

Diverting the thread again.... but,

According to the Cloudy Nights tread on the the 127 "Promoted" focuser the problem is the focuser is just too long, even in the fully racked in position, for many eyepieces to come to focus when using a 2" diagonal.
Solution at the moment is to use a 1.25" diagonal or to order with the original "Standard" focuser or budget for a Moonlite or similar.

gb

Octane (Humayun) · #20 17-02-2010, 02:01 PM

Greg,

Thanks for that -- you had first hand experience with my baby. Bit annoying, wasn't it!

I've been in touch with Wayne at Starlight Instruments and am putting aside pennies for a you-beaut Feathertouch with automated focusing.

It seems a little sad that the focuser will end up costing about the same as the telescope itself. But, I guess I can always re-use the focuser if I change refractors in the future.

H