ES Australian distributor

[Jeremy Parker]

Hi all,
Came across an Australian distributor for ES.
Check this out,
vtioptics.com.au

Cheers

[brian nordstrom]

:( Cant seem to be able to find it ?
Brian.

[Larryp]

Me neither

[erick]

Works for me:- http://vtioptics.com.au/

[Larryp]

Hi Eric-works from your link here, but I could not get it through Google. Thanks for providing a link that works.

[Sarge]

VTI (Vision to Infinity) Optics started trading today 9/7/12. Good to see another seller in the market, but where are they operating from, no location on their site? Here's hoping they are sucessful.

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[MattT]

Can't say the prices are that impressive compared to OPT where I have got my ES eyepieces from...$20 shipping for a 4.7mm at $120 = $140...Can't be in Oz...OPT $99(on sale) a piece for the 3 I want and $50-60 postage, about $60 cheaper than VTI...:question:
Matt

[Tom Hancock]

Had a look at both prices.
Opt charges $99.95 +$50 (USPS 6-8 Days Priority)
VTI Optics is AUD$120 +$20

So Opt is US$150
VTI is $140

I say VTI has the edge in pricing !

[casstony]

I'd certainly buy from a local supplier at VTI's prices, providing they prove to be reliable. At the moment there isn't enough info about them to risk giving them money - no idea who or where they are.

[Colin_Fraser]

Right down the bottom of the page in small text. Prices are in USD

[Visionoz]

Mine here says "AUD"!

Cheers
Bill

[Visionoz]

And here's the owner:
Domain Name: vtioptics.com.au
Last Modified: 07-Jun-2012 00:54:18 UTC
Registrar ID: Crazy Domains
Registrar Name: Crazy Domains
Status: ok
Registrant: WOO, CHEE ON
Registrant ID: ABN 47621924219
Eligibility Type: Sole Trader
Registrant Contact ID: R-004842621-SN
Registrant Contact Name: CHEE ON WOO
WhoIs Tech Contact ID: C-002337911-SN
Tech Contact Name: CHEE ON WOO
Name Server: ns1.bigcommerce.com
Name Server: ns2.bigcommerce.com

And the owner's company details are attached - all these information are in the public domain so I am not breaking any privacy laws!

Looks legit enough as it is a registered sole trader in Australia with an ABN

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[erick]

Buying from an Australian distributor should give more confidence around the warranties offered. I recall there was some question about the validity, in Australia, of warranties for eyepieces bought from US distributors. But the company may have reassured Australian purchasers that they were. I think this information is buried in the long ES Eyepiece thread:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45759

Nope, I have looked and it is in this thread:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=88603

[casstony]

You get the warranty buying from the US but you have to pay postage both ways - well over $100, so buying from a reliable local supplier is desirable.

[Colin_Fraser]

Mine does to now???

Checked again. Either its USD or AUD. Misleading to have both.

[David Niven]

I am glad we finally have an Australian ES distributor!
It has been long time coming.
I had a look at VTI prices and I reckon it is competitive enough.
Their prices are higher, as it is GST included but considering the much higher delivery cost from the USA, the overall cost, delivery charges included, is comparable.
So, they are an Australian registered business?
That is good enough for me.
I will make a purchase for the 18mm 82D ep.
Hope they will list more items for sale.
Wish them all the best, as it is easier to talk to a local then overseas.
I bought a Hyperion once from the USA. The ep had a coating defect.
The return shipping charge put you off, almost $65!

[Colin_Fraser]

I think I'll purchase somewhere else. Does not seem right.
No addresses and only contact is a mobile phone.
He also charges a $12 handling fee on top of postage.
Prefer to deal with registered businesses or forum members.
Too iffy these days. Anyone can get an ABN online and it costs nothing, You only need to ask.
If this individual sole trader is legit, I wish him well.

[MattT]

I'm with you Colin, seems like some one is setting up really quick for what reason??? Probably sees a gap in the market, and there is, but why start up and have next to no stock for sale?? I'll be using OPT thanks. Rather support proper astro shops even if they are OS. Now if Andrews was selling ES ....I would be buying from them.
Matt

[Shark Bait]

It looks like Astro Pete's (Brisbane) is going to be selling these EP's soon. Scroll through the banner at the top of the home page.

http://www.astropetes.com.au/index.html

[AG Hybrid]

An ES distributor in Australia??? *SQUEELLLL*

[Ian Flowes]

Bill information shows VTI Optics is a legitimate, registered business, per ASIC records.
That is also good enough for me.
I will be buying the 24mm 82D from them.
I would prefer to buy local then overseas considering all the hassle involve,especially with warranty and returns.

[Visionoz]

He's now put his business address on his homepage
FYI it does cost money to get a "sole trader" business registration and the ABN is more a statutory requirement for ATO purposes for any legit business to trade (I might be proven wrong though!)

Oh, BTW on the right hand side of the homepage you can set your default currency which in our case is the AUD!



Can't understand why the doubt - after all the bloke's got the proper paper work from ASIC, his address and principal place of business is documented and he's enterprising enough to catch onto an opportunity as he claims that his company been officially appointed by JOC for Australia market (it is stated on his website) so I'd say good luck! - only time will tell if he's trustworthy to deal with etc - no-one's forcing anyone to shop with him and I think it's very Aussie to give him a "Fair Go" until proven otherwise - just MHO

Anyway YMMV - to each his own

Usual disclaimer: I am in no way associated with that company, yada...yada...yada.... don't even know him from a bar of soap

Cheers
Bill

[Poita]

Works for me:
http://vtioptics.com.au/

[Colin_Fraser]

Yes I know Bill. What I said was ABN costs nothing.

[Suzy]

Astro Pete's selling ES??? That's exciting news! Thanks for that Stu :thumbsup:

He's also just started selling the Baader Hyperion eyepieces, good price too at $169.

Pete and the staff are a terrific bunch of people, so helpful and so friendly. They do sidewalk astronomy outside their shop (which is located in an open air shopping centre)- lots of telescopes set up around a cafe atmosphere. And the kids love the shop- he's even got a Lego International Space Station (with Shuttle & everything!) and you won't believe this but a working little dob telescope made from Lego!!! :scared2: Glass mirrors, finders, the lot! :scared2: He made it for the kids to use outside his shop!

My hat's off to Pete, not only does he operate the astro shop, the open air cafe side of the shop adds to the relaxed atmosphere, and he is totally hands on with getting people involved in astronomy (sidewalk astronomy, group astro nights etc). He even collimated Shelley's new 10" dob for her when she bought it. :D

Look, I know I maybe going on a bit here,:P but I was genuinely impressed with the set up, their commitment, and their attitude towards educating the masses to "look up". I've met all the boys there, had great chats with them and bought from them, their stuff is competitively priced and their postal service is quick.

He's celebrating his first year with a celebration this Saturday July 14th, see his website here (http://www.astropetes.com.au/index.html) for details.

Disclaimer: No, I don't work for Astro Petes, I am just one of the many happy & impressed customers. ;):)

[Richard Gamble]

Checked out astropete.....no ES stuff for sale. :rolleyes:
No dates, nothing.

[MattT]

Thanks Stu... thats what I call a real astro shop:thumbsup:. Wish it was there when I lived in Mt Gravatt 24 years ago. The Hyperion price is amazing even comparing it to OS Shops. Will be in contact with Astro Petes shortly...
Matt

[Suzy]

Pete is a fb buddy of mine and I was talking to him tonight on facebook. He said that at this stage, his supplier won't be receiving the Explore Scientific (ES) eyepieces until September. Pete also said that he hasn't formulated a price list yet but they will be as cheap as possible. :D

I was looking at getting the ES 4.7mm- OPT have them on back order and Pete won't be getting his stock till September so I have to start looking elsewhere. Woodlands Telescopes (Telescopes.net) in the U.S. just don't seem to want to reply to my emails (each sent a month apart). They have them on sale for $99 (82deg) at the moment. The freight cost I'm told (from someone who just bought one from there) was $50- no different to OPT. But I have a problem giving them my money when they won't respond to my purchase inquiry. :mad2: So I'm running out of options who to buy from... could be a long wait... *sigh*

I'm with Matt, I too, feel uneasy buying from that site.

[Shark Bait]

It is shown on 'page 7' of the rolling banner at the top of his sites front page. No dates or prices yet. As Suzy has mentioned, it looks like they will be available around September.

[Les Kurma]

I was saving up to purchase an 18mm, 82D ES.
Just ordered one from VTI.
Happy enough to give them the business, as they are an Authourised distributor and their price is right.
Better to buy from an authourised distributor then just any, that is MHO.

[sopticals]

Not everyone can wait until September. I decided on a ES 30mm last week, so checked around to see which retailers had it in stock:eyepop: (at the sale price). OPT listed the item in stock, now in the post:thumbsup: US$249 plus $49.20 postage. Seems some folk are going down the "back order route". Could be a disappointing wait. :shrug:

Stephen.

[Ian Flowes]

Dropped into VTI to buy my ep this morning.
No hassle. Saved the delivery and they even waived the handling charge.
Good service, I reckon.

[AG Hybrid]

So, any word if they are going to stock the Twilight 2 mount?

[Les Kurma]

Ordered my ep from VTI Wednesday,arrived yesterday.
Can't wait to try it out!

[Terrence]

Hi guys,
I am just starting out,so this nut head is as new as they comes, not to mention that I am totally lost when looking up at the night sky.
Cannot tell the moon from the sun!
I am comtemplating buying a good ep with a decent price tag, as in less then $200......
Seriously, I am thinking of going ahead with a purchase.
Just noticed, they have drop the prices on a couple of eps, so there is no more reason to hold back on my wallet.

[Colin_Fraser]

One comes out at night and the other comes out in the day. Not sure which though :shrug:

[erick]

Not sure, I'm new in town.

Terry, you won't go wrong with an ES eyepiece, but which one? What do you want to see?

[Terrence]

My interest is still raw but I am more inclines towards loose star clusters
and easily observable bright nebulae like the Pleiades and the Orion nebulae.So I am going for the 24mm ES.Heard they are good.

[Terrence]

Decidely at the last moment, I purchased the 18mm ES instead as the 24mm is outside my budget.
It came yesterday, nicely packed and no, my Money did not disappear into a sink hole!
Still trying to figure out which is the moon and the sun, this nut head........

Cheers guys

[Jeremy Parker]

I see VTI is starting to advertise on IIS now....hope they will do well.

[Curt]

Another happy customer here. I bought the 24mm 82 and the 4.7mm 82 off james last week. Ordered on a wednesday and turned up on monday. He even waived the $12 handling fee. I will be back for more. Its been raining in perth so havnt had a chance to use them yet, but l cant wait too.:thumbsup:

[Poita]

Their website could use an overhaul, and the $12 handling fee is a bit odd, and should be stated upfront I reckon, but they do deliver the goods.

Good to have a local supplier.

[Les Kurma]

Meet James and he is a very friendly person!
Bought another ep, a 6.7mm 82D off him.:):)

[Ian Flowes]

Bought my second ES eyepiece, a 6.7mm 82D from VTI Optics.
The built quality is very good and for just $150, it is incredible value.
Kudos to VTI for bringing them in!