Northgroup / joctech - China

[Sarge]

I am intending to purchase an ED 127 mm triplet APO refractor to "slowly" move into astrophotography (as slow as the money allows :lol:). I have looked at various models, most of which come out of the same factory in China. I checked out several AUS sites and their prices, but there is very little competion here (and a lot of mark up).

Started looking at the China sites direct, and found Northgroup (North (Nanjing) Instrument Technology Industries Group) as a supplier of ED 127mm (normally sold here under the name of Hioptic and several other brands). Including shipping to AUS their price is still quite cheaper that anything offered locally ($500 to $700 less).

Also located joctech.com (Jinghua Optic & Electronics Co. P/L) who are the makers of Explore Scientific and Bresser brands and probably the Hioptic as well (photos are exactly the same scope). Again a very good price for the ED 127mm CF Explore Scientific. Can't seem to locate a seller in AUS.

Basically my query is, does anyone have any knowledge of either of these companies, and or had, any dealings with them either good or bad. I have seen some reports about Northgroup which indicate they are reasonably reliable (if not overly fast in supply), but little to nothing on joctech. Northgroup does do transactions by PayPal which is good, and I am still attempting to get further info re payments to joctech. So far both companies have replied to several e-mails re product queries (although due to language difficulties they are not quite understanding my questions and I am not sure I fully undersand their replies :rofl:)

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi Rod , if you notice , I have one and a few others here have the 127 NG triplets as well here at IIS , I have set mine up out side tonight for a session on Mars, and its a real test for any scope , being so bright and RED!! , that tests CA of any refractor lense to the max .
Mine passes that test with flying colours .Its a very good piece (s) of glass .
I got mine 2nd hand here at IIS classifieds and the origonal owner got it directly from Norhtgroup/Joctech and had no problems at all with customer service , dialog at all , he spoke very highly on that before I brought it . :thumbsup:.
So its a vote from me , as the scope as I own it is worth way more than the asking price .
These have to be one of the bargian's of the decade .
Hope this helps , Rod .
Brian.

[Sarge]

Thanks Brian,
Saw your set up on ed127 forum at yahoo. I was and am impressed. In relation to the focuser, have you upgraded to a moonlite or feathertouch, as I understand the factory focuser is the only let down on this scope?

Rod
:D:D

[FlashDrive]

Brian ... that certainly looks real nice ... !! :thumbsup:

Worth getting one ... good value for money ... but you need a good mount to go with it.

You have my vote on the North Group ED127. ( bang for buck )

Flash. :hi: :hi:

[h0ughy]

do a search on the 127ed up top^^^^^^and you will get a lot of threads young and old....

[brian nordstrom]

:) The standard focuser is ok , but I had a chance to really , really upgrade to a Feather touch 3035 R&P focuser for a good price , so I jumped at it .
The nicest focuser I have ever had the pleasure of using , bar none ,,, a real beautiful piece of worksmanship .. I love it . :D .
I have played around with the origonal and I will get it to feel a whole lot better , and will probably sell it off cheep , but not untill its been super charged some what ..:thumbsup:.
PS. mars is really nice tonight .
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:hi: Thanks Flash , you are right there as the OTA's are built like a tank and nearly as heavy !!! :eyepop: , true so well made . In there solid alloy case that comes with them its not a problem moving them to dark sky sites.
But my Ioptron iEQ45 and WO HD tripod carries it very well , a joy to use .
All Bushman'd up now so its back out to the 127, and Mars.,, yippie , 2 clear nights in a row :thumbsup:.
Brian..

[scagman]

Hi Rod,

I also have a NG 127, the CF version, and am very happy with it. Although I did upgrade the focuser to a Moonlite. I got my last year and del was only 2 weeks from ordering. As Brian says, the case that comes with it is quite good too.
I also got a couple of their eyepeices too as they are very cheap too. Less than $40 for a 2" 15mm 80deg & $12 for a 30mm 1.25".

Regards

[scagman]

Hi Rod,

You can ignore the bit about the EP's as I have just read your sig.:eyepop:

[Sarge]

Thanks guys,
:thanks:
I'm getting pretty good indications re Northgroup, so will probably settle on their ED 127mm (the CF version sound good, will enquire with them re that one) and upgrade the focuser later.

Just can't get enough information about joctech to be comfortable in buying direct from them. :shrug:

Have also just purchased a NEQ6 from BTOW in Perth - haven't found anyone to come near their current price ($1360 + shipping). Too good a price to refuse. :thumbsup:

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[traveller]

That's an unbeatable price :eyepop:

[ReaPerMan]

I recently purchased one of these second hand and I have to say that it is fantastic. Really good value for the money. In regards to the focuser the original does leave a bit to be desired and a replacement i feel is advised.

I was talking with Ron at moonlight the other day and he sent me the following information...

"We make a CFL 2.5" larger format focuser for the ED127 by ES. We have both flanges-- the thread on one for the aluminum tube, and the 6 bolt for the Carbon fiber tube."

Please take a look at the CFL shown here--- to see the size difference.
http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman.cgi?page=productdetail&plugin=dstore.cgi&product=CFL "

This looks really good and I think I will go down this path in the near future.

All the best

Paul :thumbsup: