William Optics Free Shipping.

[Tandum]

Has anyone bought anything from the William Optics on line shop (http://www.williamoptics.com/) before?

I just ordered a Zenithstar 70ED from there and am sort of wondering if I'll ever see it :)

It worked out to just under AU$480 including Aluminium Case and delivery from Taiwan. I did get an automated email saying order received if that means anything.

Sorry Chris, the FS-60 Tak meant a whole new line of adapters for me and I'm not doing that again. This thing presents a 2" hole as standard and up to 87mm (3.43") if needed.

Fingers Crossed it shows up I guess .. :prey:

[citivolus]

I have had several orders from them directly. One I placed on a Friday arrived on the next Monday :) It likely takes longer to clear customs than to get here.

Even when shipping isn't free, it is very inexpensive from Taiwan.

[Tandum]

Thank You Eric .... that takes a load off and makes me a lot happier :)

Damn good price then. $70 cheaper than Andrews and a real case for the scope to boot.

[citivolus]

I came very close to buying direct from them on the last scope purchase, but in that case myastroshop.com.au was so close to the price that I could bring it in for that the domestic warranty won me over. I did, however, get the Megrez 90 straight from WO back in 2008.

I did get shorted on some dovetails one time, but as soon as I notified them of it they shipped me the other one. I've never had any unresolved issues with them.

Regards,
Eric

[AlexN]

Good choice for the new guide scope/wide field scope.. I find mine to be awesome!

[citivolus]

I have to admit after selling the Megrez 90 that I've ordered a Megrez 72 from WO. Guiding through an SCT was driving me nuts!

[HarryD]

If the exchange rate is calculated at US80 cents for our dollar, the FLT-132 is $AUS1000 cheaper than the Andrews price. That's a resonable amount of money. Could be saved or spent on something else. Perhaps something for SHMBO to ensure a new telescope.

[Tandum]

Careful Greg, customs can stop it if it's over AU$1000 and charge you gst and import fees not to mention your point of warranty being thousands of miles away on a $5000 scope. I'm sort of hoping they charge visa in Taiwanese New Dollars, not US, as the rate is a little better :)

[citivolus]

If you use the greenpay link or whatever it is, rather than paypal, you get charged in Taiwanese New Dollars :)

I think my last import over $1000 got hit for a $100 or so processing fee, plus GST. Customs of course holds the shipment while they wait for your credit card info.

[Tandum]

We know it as Verified By Visa (http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/Personal_Finance/4/6/1/). Was popular with asian online shops several years ago to reduce fraud.

[Tandum]

They put this scope on an overnight flight on Tuesday night and it was delivered today around noon :)

[Octane]

Robin,

That is fantastic. I put an order in today for some rings and plates. It worked out even cheaper using the alternate payment method to PayPal, as well.

I'm so impressed, I'm scared I'm going to buy another telescope, lol. I'm glad they don't make SCTs otherwise I'd be in real trouble! :)

Regards,
Humayun

[Tandum]

Yeah not bad eh :) With hind sight, I should have got a diagonal for it.

And, just as mine arrives they have some in the demo section for almost AU$100 less than I paid :lol:

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks for the heads up gents.

Just ordered a display stock Zenithstar 70ED (from WO online) for $338USD...actually it was worked out in NTD $10985 which worked out to $398.5 Aust.

As big kev would say...."I'm excited". Bargain!..free shipping to boot.

[wasyoungonce]

Well. The ZS 70ED has been shipped. Lets see how soon it arrives & in what condition as it was "display stock".

For that price & free shipping my guess it's worth the gamble.:whistle:

[RodM]

My experience with them was good if that's any help. I got an ex-demo FTL-110 a couple of years ago and when it arrived it was hard to tell if it had ever even been out of the box.

Better still, they followed up with an email asking if I'd gotten it and whether everything was OK. I've never had that before or since from other on-line vendors, and wouldn't hesitate to buy direct again.

Hope your experience is as good as mine was.

Cheers,
Rod

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks...I'm not really concerned, it's got full warranty. They do seem prompt though.

[Octane]

My stuff was apparently shipped this morning, too. :)

They were very helpful answering email queries, too. Good on them, I'll be a return customer.

Regards,
Humayun

[netwolf]

I had a look at the display stock, but they did not mention weather they included a case or not. The new ones have a case for free. This is a very nice little scope and would be great for a guide scope for my WO 80 Triplet. I am very tempted. But in hindsight i wish i kept the borg 76ED, that was light as a feather.

[citivolus]

I got my Megrez 72 today. I should be testing it out in the next few nights :)

[wasyoungonce]

9 days from order to received...not bad for free shipping!:thumbsup:

[wasyoungonce]

I saw on the news last night that a Typhoon had hit Taiwan hard.....causing much devastation.

There goes my scope! I thought I saw it being swept away in the floods.:lol:

[gb_astro]

How are they being delivered once they get into the country, courier or Australia Post?

Thanks,
gb,
.

[citivolus]

Australia Post is delivering, as it is EMS.

Note, the price on the Megrez 72 has just dropped $101 US, as they are now selling it without the hard backpack. $498 US delivered.

Eric

[wasyoungonce]

That fills me with more dread about shipping than a Taiwan typhoon....:rofl:

[Tandum]

:lol:

It was a Austpost contract courier that delivered here.

[wasyoungonce]

Ahhh I assumed those light fingered bunch (no offence to any Aus post workers here) at my mail exchange would take a liking to it.

Thanks.

I meant to ask. I wanted to mount this OTA on an skywatcher ED80 and I like the Williams Optics tube ring system. I found the megrez 88 used a similar 101mm OD tube (to the ED80) but they do not appear to be selling these rings. I intended to mount the ZS70ED on top using WO rings for both...can this be done with the Williams Optics ring system?

Anyone see their 101mm ID rings for sale?

[AlexN]

The ZS70ED has an L bracket attached to the bottom of the scope which provides you with a pair of 1/4" 20 attachment holes. You can use these holes to hard mount the ZS70ED to a dovetail bar, and bolt said dovetail to the top of your ED80.. This way, you are practically eliminating any chance of flexture.. This is what I've done.. Heres a pic of my solution..

[wasyoungonce]

Thank you Alex.

That's a good idea. I wanted to try set up guiding without differential flexure aka adjustable rings....not that I've done guiding before, so far all unguided.

Thus I was looking at the WO rings and that Hutech positioner (http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/borg/guidescopes/index.htm) (like the Orion one). But it was starting to get expensive considering my SPC900NC webcam may not be good enough as a guider cam.

What you have done is alot simpler & I can save on rings & thus buy the XY guider.

Thanks again:thumbsup:.

Edit:

I meant to say the Hutech XY positioner has 2 differing prices on their website, here (http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/guider.htm) ($199USD) and here (http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/tcxy.htm) ($215USD).

[MrB]

Nice looking scope Alex ;)
I'm soaking up all this info about setups!
Tempted to jump on the 70ED bandwagon too.

[AlexN]

:) with a ZS70ED, your setup could look EXACTLY like the one pictured above Simon.. :) haha!

[citivolus]

WO sells 101mm clamshell rings for the Megrez 88, however only with scope purchase by the look of it.

[wasyoungonce]

I did see some "astro tech (http://www.astronomytechnologies.com/tube-rings.asp)" rings...just like the WO ones in USA and even some 101mm OD rings here. (http://www.iankingimaging.com/show_products.php?category=65). Lots of rings here (http://www.astronomics.com/main/Optical_Tube_Rings.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/kgx16jn4m3wj8mpc737kv1tdp7/Page/1)as well.

Why cannot these be readily available from WO or in Australia...sigh.:shrug:

[wasyoungonce]

Well..it's here, pristine condition, not a mark at all (ex display stock). Ordered on the 8th delivered on the 14th of this month. Not bad.

No case though. In hindsight for the few extra dollars maybe that would have been nice, still I cannot complain. Maybe one of those Pelican knockoff cases would suit.;)

All up cost was $408Aust. It should have been around $398Aust (sale price was $338USD) but this variance is probably due to poor bank exchange rates and maybe bank OS transaction fees.

Cannot complain really. EMS shipping could be tracked easily although you tend to loose tracking if it is put on more than one flight to get to the destination. Mine went from Taipei to Bangkok and then to Melbourne. I could track it to Bangkok but not from there on.

Once it arrived in Melbourne I could track it. After melbourne, Aust post courier delivery. All is good.

Thanks for the OP for the orignal post on this and to all the others who had input. You have saved me a bundle and I got a fine scope indeed!:thumbsup:

[Octane]

You lucky so-and-so's. I'm not sure why my order is taking longer than you guys.

I ordered last Friday and it has apparently landed in Sydney this morning. I suppose delivery will be on Monday. As long as it gets here before Wednesday (Border Stargaze!).

Regards,
Humayun

[wasyoungonce]

Don't you just hate queue jumpers like me....:lol:

[Octane]

Woops! My fault. I have been in bed all day and only getting up when vomiting.

I just refreshed the iPost site and it now says that they attempted delivery at 11 AM. I just ducked out and checked my letterbox, and, sure enough, there's a notice from the post office to collect the goods. Have to get them on Monday!

Cheers.

Regards,
Humayun

[Omaroo]

LOL! Sorry Robin - I just noticed this thread. :lol:

Yep - I can understand that logic. As brilliant as the Taks are, the list of adapters required is pretty long. Once you have four Taks it becomes easier, as most accessories cross-pollinate.

Have fun with the WO. :thumbsup:

[Gallifreyboy]

I would like to add my experience with WO online. I was quite impressed before posting the order they have checked the compatibility of 2 of the components and given me the option to change if not happy, see below.

"Thank you for your purchase. We need to verify one thing before we expedite the shipment. Are you going to use the binoviewer package on ZenithStar 66? It is not compatible. Hope to hear from you soon."

They have some excellent specials at present and with free shipping, a stronger $A and good thoughtful service :thumbsup:

[MrB]

OK, I'm going nuts,
William Optics has a 2" photo/camera adapter right?
Why can't I find it on WOnline?

[citivolus]

I'm not sure that they have a 2" neck to t-ring adapter. You may want to try the Orion model (http://www.telescope.com/control/product/%7Ecategory_id=adapters_and_cables/%7Epcategory=accessories/%7Eproduct_id=A0310). I know I have seen it at Sirius Optics in the past, as I bought one there.

On the Megrez 90, you'll lose about half of your 300D frame unless you get a flattener, though.

Regards,
Eric

[MrB]

I could have sworn I saw one there only weeks ago, and OPT are advertising one, tho higher cost and gotta pay freight.



Yeah been wondering about that, have heeded your warning about the Pflat III, any experience with the II?

BTW, thanks for keeping the Megrez90 in as-new condition, can't keep my eyes off her! ;)

[Gallifreyboy]

They don't have on the website items that are out of stock, presumably to avoid difficulties of grumpy customers paying for what is temporarily unavailable. I would email them, I found their attention to emails very prompt.

[citivolus]

They have a new flattener for the Megrez 88, which may work on the 90 as well. I've heard that the 2 is good as a flattener, other than the vignetting which can be taken care of with flats. I still have yet to find anything that flattens better than the DG-L, though.

Regards,
Eric

[MrB]

Cheers Ric.

I think I read somewhere that the 88's flatener isn't great on the 90.

Have been trying to find more info about this: Astro-Tech 2" Flattener (http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/7U1FFR2KKXEB8L34WN0HW6E3L3/product_id/AT2FF)

[citivolus]

A couple people over on Cloudy Nights (http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3064601&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&vc=1) seem happy with it. It doesn't seem too bad, especially considering the price. I'd be curious to see someone run it through CCD Inspector, as well as see some flats taken with/without it.

As they claim it isn't a reducer, I wonder how the actual field size works out.

Regards,
Eric

[glasseyes]

Robin,
Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I was searching for Astro-Tech flatteners and saw that Simon was trying to find the WO Photo Adapter which is here
http://www.williamoptics.com/wo_shop/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_43
If anyone has used the Astro-Tech 2" flattener, I would be interested to hear from them.
Regards,
John

[Moon]

I started a new thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=49636)to discuss the Astro-Tech 2" flattener.
James

[MrB]

Ahh! they're back in stock, I checked before bed last night and they weren't there!
Cheers John