Astro Tech dealers in Oz?

[jwoody]

Hello all
Is there an Astro Tech dealer in Australia or do you purchase direct from the USA? I would like a AT65EQD.
Thank you
Jeremy

[barx1963]

Astrotech is the rebranded name for GSO scope in the US. Not sure anyone brings in their refractors, Bintel and Andrews both have dealings with GSO so may be worth asking them.

Cheers

Malcolm

[Chris85]

Just go direct. They even have payment plans which is something I wish all vendors had!

[croweater]

Hi Jeremy. There is one in the telescope for sale section. Dont know if it's still for sale. Cheers, Richard.

[croweater]

Oops, sorry it's now pending. :(

[anj026]

You could try Frontier Optics in Australia.

http://www.frontieroptics.com.au/

[jwoody]

Thank you all.Clear skies
Jeremy

[Astromelb]

Dear IIS team,

This product is actually manufactured by SharpStar.

This product is available here in Australia - suggest you take a look the Oz distributors webpage at - http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=sharpstar

The 65Q is currently awaiting the next production batch, the other SharpStar products are all available either ex stock in Melbourne, or ex the manufacturer, 2 weeks.

Clear skies.

[MortonH]

Interesting. I like SharpStar stuff.

I note that the 60ED is also described as a quad but is actually a doublet. Looks like a mix-up in the descriptions.

[Astromelb]

Dear Morton,

Thanks for the feedback, but I do need to provide you with a correction. the SharpStar 60ED is a Quadruplet, not a doublet as you recommend. Unit uses an O'Hara FPL53 Quadruplet lens.

The Astronomy Alive webpage is correct, please re check at SharpStar's own webpage at - http://www.sharpstar-optics.com/english/index.php?c=msg&id=133&

Clear skies.

Rgds,
Cris.

[MortonH]

Hi Cris,

Confusing. The SharpStar website describes it several times as a doublet as you read down the page. The image of the lens cell also shows "doublet".

Not trying to pick holes but I've looked at the 60ED online quite a few times after Stellarvue and then TS started selling them and they were/are doublets.

Not sure why SharpStar would change it to a quad design when they already have the 65Q?

Sorry, not meaning to derail this thread.

[N1]

Yes, the writing on the lens cell says "Doublet ED APO" in the picture used for the "SharpStar 60-ED 60mm f5.5 Quadruplet" on AA website also. As opposed to "Quadruplet APO" on the 65Q. Are there further elements elsewhere in the tube?

[MortonH]

I think either someone at SharpStar has mixed up the descriptions of the 60ED and the 65Q, and the 60ED is still the f/5.5 doublet that is sold by Stellarvue, TS, etc.

Or

The 60ED really has been changed to a Quad and the description & pictures haven't been fully updated.

[Astromelb]

Dear Morton,

I understand your questions.

This is a twin doublet design, so there are two sets of doublets, making it a quadruplet. Same design concept as the SharpStar 100Q model and Tak's FSQ's.

I agree it is interesting that they both do a 60mm and a 65mm quadruplet, as you state there isn't a lot of difference between a 60mm and a 65mm as you point out.

There is significant volume for SharpStar in both 60mm and 65mm sizes, as customers want both options.

I have the 60mm underway with supply from the manufacturer currently, the 65mm is awaiting a new batch being produced shortly.

These telescopes are very nice as you point out. The designs are deliberate to offer another triplet & quadruplet refractors series to customers here in Australia. All using premium O'Hara FPL53 ED Glass at a very competitive price.

I have taken on the SharpStar distributorship deliberately as people keep asking me for an alternative to other triplets and quadruplets.

Clear skies.

Rgds,
Cris.

PLEASE REFER TO CORRECTION ABOVE AS I HAVE UPDATE FROM THE MANUFACTURER

[Astromelb]

Dear IIS team,

I have just emailed the CEO of SharpStar requesting his personal review - and will post his feedback as soon as I have it.

I cannot speak for the TS model, as I do not do this product. I do the SharpStar portfolio direct from the manufacturer, which I can comment on.

If you seek details of the TS product offering and are interested in purchasing from them direct you are welcome to contact them direct and get them to attest for their own gear.

Stay tuned :)

[MortonH]

Thanks for confirming on the 60mm.

[Astromelb]

Dear team,

I owe you all an apology. I have just heard back from SharpStar's CEO and he confirms that the 60ED is an O'Hara ED FPL53 Doublet.

My sincere apologies but SharpStar's webpage is in need of being corrected, as this is where I sourced my data for my own webpage.

So confirming:

The SharpStar 60ED is a Doublet O'Hara ED FPL53 unit.
The SharpStar 65Q is a Quadruplet O'Hara ED FPL53 unit.

This would make sense as a 60 & 65 Quad would seem to be a little too similar, and Morton you are correct, the two are completely different beasts.

I have already corrected my webpage, and it is now correct - and I have emailed SharpStar's CEO to ask him to do similar and update his data set asap - so that it is also correct.

Apologies for the confusion, now my webpage's data is correct. With thanks.

Rgds,
Cris.