Professional service from William Optics, eBay & UPS

[UniPol]

I decided to buy an FLT 132mm APO off eBay last Friday as WO was offering the OTA for $3198 USD "Buy it now" price inc. free shipping. With the current favourable exchange rate the scope came out to be a little over $3600 AUS inc. the Paypal fee. I received an email from WO the same day offering the Feather Touch focuser upgrade for an extra $500 USD which I decided to do as the standard focuser has had mixed reports regarding slippage particularly with larger imaging equipment. WO sent an email with a tracking number from UPS on Monday. The information on the UPS site was very clear and detailed so it was easy to track the movement of the shipment.

I received a call from UPS on Tuesday to confirm my delivery address and payment of customs duty. I paid GST and fees of $448 AUS by credit card over the phone.

The telescope arrived this morning by courier and the boxes were in great condition as shown in the photos. The UPS customs paperwork and receipt arrived in the post as well. So, from deciding to buy the scope last Friday, the whole process took one week, what a great service from eBay, UPS and WO.

In short, the FLT132 OTA, case rings and focuser arrived in perfect unmarked condition, a real credit to the excellent manufacture and packing by WO. The Feather Touch focuser is certainly something to behold, the graduated focuser tube measures around 4 1/4" in diameter and has an exceptionally long travel. The finish is simply superb and needless to say is absolutely super smooth. The overall length of the OTA with the dewshield retracted is around 785mm which in anybodies book is pretty compact.

All up the outfit cost around $4600 AUD which is a great price compared to our local vendors. Without the Feather Touch upgrade the scope would be a little over $4000 AUD delivered.

For those who have doubts about buying goods from O/S, particularly off eBay, I can only say that I have had a very positive experience.

It will be interesting to compare this scope with my Tak TOA-130 as it is nearly half the current cost of the Tak. I will most likely leave the FLT with my son in Blackheath so he and I can use it when visiting and save me carting my gear along.

[citivolus]

That, sir, is a huge refractor :) Good to hear the purchase has gone well for you!

I suspect you will see domestic vendors prices fall once stock purchased at the higher exchange rate is sold off. When I purchased my FLT-98 from MyAstroShop, it was within $50 of WO's price (including exchange/shipping).

Out of curiosity, what mount is this going on? Are you going to SBS mount it with your Tak?

Regards,
Eric

[g__day]

It looks really great - love to have that scope - and I'd be keen to hear how you find it compared to the TAK. How much does it weigh by the way?

[UniPol]

Hi Eric,

I am going to mount the FLT & TOA SBS on my G11. A lot of swapping of EP's and diagonals will be the order of the evening to ascertain the outcome.

Cheers,

Steve

[UniPol]

Hi Matthew,

Surprisingly, the Tak TOA weighs in at 10.5kg and the WO FLT 9kg. You'd think the WO would weigh more when they are side by side, must be the colour scheme.

Cheers,

Steve

[Kal]

That's a really great price for a new 5" apo, and she looks a beaut too!

[dpastern]

Congrats. EBay is pretty good (mostly) to be honest. Great price as well, top stuff. She looks a beauty, have fun!

Dave

[UniPol]

Thanks Dave,

I've never had any problems on eBay over the years. I have taken a couple more pics of the FLT132 on my G11 mount, it is a great combination.

Cheers,

Steve

[dpastern]

Looks a treat. Wish I had the money for something like that.

Dave

[marki]

From reading your original post am I right in saying UPS sorted out customs duties for you with you just supplying a CC number? I always thought the buyer had to arrange these things through customs on their own before the item shipped.

Mark

[dpastern]

UPS and FedEx are really GOOD from my experience. I personally prefer FedEx but, that's a personal preference.

Dave

[UniPol]

Hi Mark,

Yes, UPS does the clearing. I have a CC number in the system as I have purchased goods in the past from O/S which were valued over $1000. I think customs has had to streamline its operation owing to the large volume of goods arriving in the country these days.

As a matter of interest, I notice WO are selling their FLT 152mm APO with free shipping for just over $8000 USD and it would land here around $10,000 AUD with GST and duties paid. This makes it about $4000 cheaper than our local suppliers!

Cheers,

Steve

[marki]

Thanks for that Steve. I have been thinking about getting the 132 for a while now. It certainly looks the goods.

Mark

[AlexN]

Yeah, She's a big girl... but she's beautiful!! :)

Great scope for a great price with great service...

Great! :)

[UniPol]

Hi Dave,

It has taken me 40 years of work to reach retirement and afford such luxuries and indulge myself in my long held interests in astronomy and astronomical equipment, I wish it was the other way around when I was younger and had more energy, still, this hobby has lots to offer and keeps the old brain alive.

Cheers,

Steve

[Bobbyoutback]

Hi Steve ,

I noticed Andrews sell these in Oz , Guess I could ask them their best price before buying direct .

Look forward to your opinion on its performance :)

[dpastern]

Well, I'm single, no kids, live @ home by choice. Disposable income. I'm not a saving, never have been, probably never will be, although I'm trying. I might as well buy things whilst I'm still youngish and can enjoy them!

Dave

[UniPol]

I see that Andrews have dropped their price to $4999 which is still about a $1000 more than buying direct from WO on ebay with the standard focuser. It is doubtful that Andrews would drop their price down to this but one can only ask.

I have had a chance to compare my TOA-130 and FLT-132 and found that there isn't a whole lot in it. I think the Tak has slightly better contrast and slightly better pin point stars (particularly at low powers) but the WO at nearly half the price is definitely a winner. Of course the Feathertouch focuser on the WO is absolutely fantastic. My Tak has the Feathertouch 10:1 pinion fitted but is still not as nice as the WO Feathertouch option.

The in an out focus on the FLT-132 is textbook perfect by the way so no complaints there.

Cheers,

Steve

[UniPol]

Lucky bloke, go for it.

[dpastern]

I'll probably end up going a tak though. The 152mm WO is tempting though lol.

Dave

[Bobbyoutback]

Hi Steve , gee Andrews have dropped it again ' now $4699AU !

Pleased your initial star test was positive , be interesting to hear more after you give it a good workout , as you said at almost half the price what a deal .

The way our dollar is rising imagine the bargains by Xmas :question:

Cheers Bob.

[UniPol]

Hi Dave,

Now's your chance, I see AEC is selling a new TOA-150 for $12,500 :D

Cheers,

Steve

[UniPol]

Excellent price Bob but still about $700 more than the current ebay price (inc. shipping, Paypal fees and GST). Andrew's may get down to this price, you never know.

[Bobbyoutback]

Yes Steve that $700 would buy a nice eyepiece !

The WO F158 F/7 & F152 F/8 are looking tempting at $11,999 .
What would be your pick ?

Also just gotta ask why you bought the WO 132 when you had the TOA 130 ? :)

Regards Bobby.

[dpastern]

Oh you're corrupting me. I'd love it, but it's a bit out of my price league. I'm only looking at a 4" tak, and then, not straight away.

Dave

[Kal]

At those prices I'd still be looking Stateside at the TEC 160 (http://www.telescopengineering.com/tec/apo160ed.htm) for $US8800 (would come in a touch over AU$11000 with GST and shipping)

[dpastern]

That does look yummy. That said, a local Tak for a grand more is probably wiser, at least warranty wise.

Dave

[Bobbyoutback]

Thanks Kal , lots of nice goodies out there , now I like that TEC 180FL :juggle:

Cheers Bobby .

[Kal]

You might even be able to haggle with Claudio a bit more off that TOA price as well, as it was quoted for when the exchange rate is above 78. It is currently 85.

[Kal]

You aren't the only one, theres alot of us dreamers on the forums :zzz::D

[Bobbyoutback]

Yep but what fun it is :D :thumbsup: