Hi Steve,
I'm glad I'm not the only one to have had issues with the FirstScope. It is the same scope made by Skywatcher/Synta, but really stripped down, ie-no finder with the FirstScope:
http://synta.en.alibaba.com/product/...ini_DOB76.html
First thing I did was ditch the stock EPs & use my own. The stock EPs are poor, & the wrong design for such a fast scope, being Huygenian & Special Ramsden. Even my Kellner EP, from my Celestron C5, really gave beautiful images.
Some degree of collimation can be achieved with the collimation screws of the secondary & using the 'star collimation' technique. A spherical mirror for f/4 does not help.
I've also found that most of my EPs, & the stock EPs, when focused does not draw the focusing tube far out enough to not clear the path of light, causing its shadow to be visible when the stars are out of focus.
York Optical has been good in helping me overcome problems, but it does mean using other EPs.
As it comes out of the box, the FirstScope is dissappointing. It does have technical issues, which the novice using their 'firstscope' will not be aware of, then again , they will neither be aware of the better images this scope can deliver. It will cost money, though. Sort of defeats the purpose of the first scope concept.
Sad, because it is capable of giving nice views.