Deliveries from ZHO direct.

[Spidy]

I know there's a similar thread, but that one discusses deliveries from overseas generally.


I'm wondering if anyone has bought from the ZHO Website directly recently and can chime in regarding delivery times.

[Nikolas]

It has been discussed in that thread and the answer is deliveries from zwo direct are not only cheaper even after the exchange rate but also if in stock come in 10 days or less if you pay the extra postage which is a must in pandemic times.

[Spidy]

There is no option to select "Extra Postage".

[LewisM]

You don't need extra postage - they send with FedEx, which in Australia is also serviced by the TNT network (FedEx over-took TNT Australia).

My order from ZWO took 9 days - FedEx mis-handled it for 2 days (Sydney to Canberra then back to Sydney then back to Canberra....), and on top of that, came in $80 UNDER [insert name of large Sydney based retailer] (and that's local seller price without post, so roughly $100 cheaper).


Up to you how you do it, but ZWO was VERY professional, answered questions fast, and posted next day after placing the order.

[mswhin63]

Considering all the options, one thing that would need to be considered is support. Online is great but you would have to send it back if anything went wrong. For some it is worth it but the risk could be intimidating.

[Spidy]

Thank you for your response Lewis. That's what I wanted to hear. Can I ask how long ago this was?

[Spidy]

Yes, but I wonder if by buying locally, all we're doing is adding a middleman, i.e. the vendor, who would in turn send back the camera to ZWO for repairs?

[LewisM]

About 2 weeks ago

[billdan]

I bought my QHY12 off an Australian vendor and when it failed during the warranty period, the vendor told me to ship it back to China myself. Only cost $60 air freight at the time from Aust Post. QHY paid for the return air freight postage.

So in future I will buy direct from China, as nothing is gained buying locally.

[LewisM]

That is exactly what is happening. ZWO told me any issues, they'll resolve it directly. So, shipping it to a retailer does...nothing...as you had already suggested. Some retailers INSIST they are the only ones that can offer support, but that is INCORRECT if you buy from the manufacturer.

[LewisM]

Precisely.

[Spidy]

Thank you Lewis and Bill.

Seems my suspicions are correct and there is no reason to NOT buy direct from ZWO.

I called a well known retailer today asking them about their lead times to get new stock in. They told me to buy QHYCCD as they can buy direct from them and t will be a lot quicker.

Uhm, I think not.

I'll place my order next week and report back to this thread on my experience.

Thanks again guys for your responses.

[mswhin63]

Thanks Phil,
I would really like to know your experience n this especially with CV affecting deliveries. I am not quite ready to buy yet.

Quick question, why not QHYCCD?

[Spidy]

A lot of people have been asking me this question lately, lol.


My answer is because there seems to be a general consensus that both driver support and tech support seems to be better with the ZWO cameras.

[mswhin63]

Good answer, thanks that is important.

[gregbradley]

I haven't used a QHY camera and have a ZWO 183mm.

When I was researching the 2 brands I would here about driver issues with QHY. Another poster said that was in the past and that it had been sorted.

Another common response was QHY has a higher build quality.

Depending on the model there are other differences.

The QHY600 for example has a 2gig DDRAM whereas the ZWO has 256mb.

The QHY600 has currently 3 different modes, one of which extends the full well depth from 51K to 75K or more.

That could be useful in high dynamic range scenes.

Other aspects seem similar but QHY are about US$500 more expensive for the QHY600 model compared to ZWO.

So still not that clear cut but its more data to consider.

Greg.

[AndyG]

I just bought some adaptors from the ZWO site 20mins ago. I'll post again when it shows up.

[Camelopardalis]

I ordered from them a week ago. It entered into the country on Thursday and is doing a tour of the capitals thanks to Auspost :shrug:

[Camelopardalis]

Go figure, it arrived this morning. The postal vortex must have been blowing this way :lol:

[Spidy]

So, around 10 days?

[Outcast]

Was it a westerly perchance... I have a shroud coming for my Marana, arrived in Perth 8 days ago, hasn't moved since...

[Camelopardalis]

:eyepop: :rofl:

Nah mine stuck to the east coast. Either their tracking system doesn’t know diddly squit or they were breaking new speed records :lol:

[Spidy]

I placed my order direct to ZWO for 174 mini and 071 Pro MC today. I'll report back when they arrive.

[Startrek]

My new ZWOASI2600MC Camera was ordered on the 12th June , last update advised I just missed the last ZWO batch which landed 2 weeks ago , my order is now expected mid August

I don’t mind as long as it’s not damaged and in perfect working order when I get to use it.

I suppose we have to get use to longer lead times now for electronic equipment in this changed world we currently live in

[Spidy]

Martin, you ordered direct from ZWO?

[Startrek]

No I ordered from a ZWO nominated local supplier

[Camelopardalis]

Mine took 10 days all in, direct from Shanghai.

[Spidy]

That's great to hear, though I doubt mine will get here that quick. I just noticed the 071 is on backorder. :(

[Camelopardalis]

:sadeyes:

Are they still making the 071? Now that the 2600MC is out

[The_bluester]

As far as I know they are, at least currently. I would suspect if the 2600 turns into a solid success they would probably drop the 071. They are not a whole lot cheaper than the 2600 and you would expect the two to be competing for the same sales, unless perhaps the bigger pixels than the 2600 is enough reason to retain it?

They sort of have history there with the ASI6200MC and now the ASI2400MC, both being OSC full frames but with different pixel sizes, unless they discontinue the OSC version of the 6200 in the near future.

[Camelopardalis]

Yeah I guess. Maybe their production is slick enough that it's just a matter of dropping the right sensor on the board :shrug:

[Craig_]

Is there a view on whether ordering direct from ZWO gets you backordered gear faster than a local vendor? I mean, I can only imagine they would preference their own customers over local stores, but who knows...

[nsavage]

I meant to post this earlier this week.

Purchased a couple of items on the 16/07 (after business hours so effectively the 17/07). Emailed to add an item as I had forgotten to include it early on the 17/07. Shipped on the 20/07 from ZWO and arrived 29/07.

[LewisM]

Lets put it this way - Bintel is still showing backorder for a filter I ordered and received a month ago direct from ZWO.


And with ZWO honouring warranty if bought direct, where is there anything to lose, especially considering the not trivial monetary saving over buying from a reseller here.

[AndyG]

My Order, after 3 days, has made it from Shanghai to Brisbane. By DHL, that could be another 2 days to Townsville. So 5 days is not impossible.

Now for the "TOS bender of truth"... In many places, a manufacturer prioritising their dealer network is the "right thing to do". A Manufacturer, would offer a low price to Dealer, and never undercut them on direct sales. Furthermore, when stock is limited - send to dealer first. Having worked for Taiwanese and Mainlanders for 10 years, the sentiment above never applied with them. A sale was a sale, arrangements be damned.

Mods, feel free to delete this post. This answer was based on personal experience, which I hope meets the question asked. Lastly, being a direct customer, and not a dealer anymore, my concern is now minimal.

@LewisM - I concur, I saved about 40% on my purchase. I almost feel sorry for Aussie Dealers (The mechanics of AU economics are clear and need not be repeated). Price was 30% of my motivation. 70% was the fact I could actually get it. If ZWO are fulfilling their website orders before dealers, then dealers don't stand a chance sadly.

[Rick101]

I ordered a canon adapter and a holder for my 1600 on Tuesday at lunch time, it was delivered yesterday. This is my second purchase direct from ZWO and won’t be the last.

[Craig_]

Interesting thoughts, thanks all. Sounds like ordering from ZWO is the go :) Anyone had experience with GST payments for expensive shipments? I’m talking camera bodies here. I assume small value items would fly under the radar but I’d imagine GST is, in some way or other, payable on cameras. Do the couriers hit you up for it or have these orders flown under the radar?

[Spidy]

Well, initially it was on backorder but then I got an email yesterday saying my order was complete! And the tracking shows they're both in Melbourne. Let's see how long it takes to clear customs.





All I can say is the order was on backorder for only two days!




Yeah, I basically bought one, got one free! In fact, both cameras came in cheaper than only buying one from Bintel.

[Spidy]

Just an update, ordered a focal reducer from OPT on the 30th, delivered today!

[AndyG]

Well, there we go. Got the box today. 8 days from the first business day following my order.

There was movement through DHL on a Sunday too - Not bad.
Edit. I ordered a wrong part which is too big - Not good.

[Spidy]

Update: Cameras arrived in Melbourne on Sunday (and looks like maybe the second one on Tuesday).



Sitting in Melbourne Customs.

[Craig_]

Let me know how you go with GST (ie do customs hit you up or does it skate through)?

[Spidy]

Well, here we go. Looks like they cleared customs Melbourne (so Craig, looks like no GST) and now they're in Sydney. I mean, WTF?!!

[mbaddah]

I ordered a asi462mc direct from zwo last weekend. It just derived at my door today :) that's even quicker then local!

[Spidy]

Stop it. You're making me sad:(


EDIT: My estimated delivery is 11th. If that's the case, that's 13 days. Let's hope it arrives soon.

[Spidy]

They're here, they're here:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[billdan]

Don't brag about it (GST), the ATO could be lurking and monitoring this site.

[Spidy]

:eyepop:

[Spidy]

I don't know what you're all talking about....:question:

[LewisM]

Ah, good ole internet way back machine, incriminating people for 30 years :)

[Hayden]

Ordered a ZWO ASI385MC on 23/06/2020 from Australian dealer and I am still waiting. I can see now I should have ordered direct like some of you guys and got it way cheaper as well. It is so frustrating!
Never again if this is how long it takes using local while direct rockets through......

[Hayden]

I wish I had read this thread before I ordered locally SIGH!

[Craig_]

I ordered something backordered last week, shipped on the 11th, already in Sydney and cleared customs today. Very quick.

[LewisM]

I suspect many retailers simply don't have the financial backing now to place substantial orders with manufacturers - this may also explain the horrific mark-up some are placing on product.


Yet more items I ordered direct from China arrived this week in under 10 days. Aus Post is sending me messages whenever they have it in their system now too (one due to arrive tomorrow)

[Hayden]

Thanks for the replies LewisM and Craig. I have had replies from OpticsCentral and they seem to be genuine in their frustration with the delays over the current problems. What I find annoying is that items are arriving direct to individuals in very fast times. I placed an order and paid via Paypal on 23/06/2020 and I am still waiting.

[Craig_]

What did you order? Mine was just a filter drawer, some spare drawers, and a IR/UV cut filter. Not a camera body (yet)

[Spidy]

Craig, damn, I was just about to order the ZWO Filter drawer and decided against it since it was on backorder and didn't qualify for the free shipping.


Was your order over 199US or did you need to pay the $20 shipping charge? I'm wondering if that makes a difference?


Instead of around #130AUD, I just spent $168AUD from local retailer who had stock. Coming from Sydney. Let's see how long this takes. I may have made a mistake:shrug:

[Craig_]

It was listed on backorder when I placed the order, but in the end it was only a few days wait (including a weekend) before it shipped. My order was a touch over $199US, as I got the drawer, some spare sliders for it, the filter and a replacement cable for my guide camera after I accidentally scorched the one that came with it (cable end accidentally touched a terminal on my battery when packing up, sparks ensued... thankfully it was no longer connected to anything :lol:)

[Spidy]

Oh man. That would have been @#*($)&$)&$. Lucky escape.


Out of curiousity, do you know if the Otolong 2" L-Pro filter will fit on the ZWO filter drawer, or would I need to "decloak" it?

[Craig_]

I don't own the L-Pro, but have the L-Enhance. Apparently that is 7mm with thread or 5mm without thread, so it should fit OK I would think. It isn't something I actually checked so... I hope :lol:

On the mechanical diagram for the drawer it looks like it has 8mm of clearance, and ZWO's own filters are 5mm high without thread so I assume it will fit. That said, the size of the Optolong I obtained from a review, I haven't seen it listed on an official spec sheet...

[Spidy]

The L-Enhance and L-Pro are dressed the same, so if your L-Enhance fits, then I should be right.


Would appreciate it if you can confirm when you have all the parts. I have yet to order the filter. Still shopping around, so it might be a while.


I'm still building my image train trying to sort out the required back-focus distance.

[Craig_]

No problem. It's not supposed to arrive until next week according to DHL but given it arrived in Sydney so fast maybe it will hit tomorrow instead.

The Esprit 80 I image on thankfully has a fairly uncomplicated back focus. The rings that came with the scope and the camera were all that was needed :) The filter drawer at 21mm perfectly replaces one of the camera rings, so happy days there.

[Spidy]

Haha, yeah well, I can't say the same. My Edge HD needs exactly 146.05mm and I want to use the focal reducer but can't even get the rear collar (I think it's called an adapter plate) off as it seems to be stuck. Need to buy a strap wrench.


I thought astrophotography was meant to be fun? Well, I wouldn't know as all I've contended with so far are issues:rolleyes:

[Craig_]

Apparently the introduction of a filter to the optical path can also impact backfocus :shrug: I am already using the Enhance (it screws into one of the extension rings after the field flattener) so it seems to be fine for me, but if you need 146.05 exactly you may also need to account for the thickness of the filter glass... apparently. I think the Esprit has a small margin of error in the back focus rather than needing absolute precision.

[Spidy]

Oh great, more problems:confused2:

[Hayden]

Craig I ordered a ZWO ASI385MC for Planetary work. I have been using a modded EOS 450D for this up till now.

[Craig_]

My ZWO order just arrived :)

Ordered 07/08 (one item on backorder)
Shipped 11/08 (free shipping >$199USD - DHL)
Delivered 14/08

[Spidy]

7 days! Not bad.;)