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Andrews/Bintel
Hi Trido - have dealt with both these companies in recent times and my appraisal goes like this.....
Without question Bintel are superior in terms of their knowledge and their ability/readiness to "tell it like it is" from an experienced AA's point of view. (Don in Sydney's Binel shop is especially knowledgable/ frank and ready to converse.)
On the other hand Andrews, whilst not "unhelpfull" are less enquiry/customer/back-up oriented (or possibly capable re expertise) but they are cheaper in most similar stock items!
Their "free freight" Australia wide deal on certain products at the moment is also really hard to ignore!
Recently, purchasing an HEQ5 Goto SynScan mount from them, I afterwards rang and spoke to Lee re the need to "re-factor" for time zones etc for Sth Aust & NT's peculiar half hour timezone. He then put the question to Luke (their telescope "man") - neither of them could answer what I thought was a pretty basic question on a (not inexpensive) piece of equipment.
Now, I realize that this is only one instance and this is in no way intended as some sort of damning criticism of Andrews: it's just that anything and everything I ring Bintel for is answered to the utmost without any reservations. Maybe service is worth that bit extra.....
At any rate, I should state that I have no intention of not dealing with Andrews again!
GSO optics/equipment is sold by both companies and also comes under "brand names" that aren't just local badging - Bintel does make the claim (and I believe it to be true) that its' re-badged stuff is checked/quality controlled by them here in Aust.
Cheers, Darryl.
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