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Not entirely true Wayne.
Stellarvue are high quality scopes no doubt but I don't think Vic always used LZOS lenses. Sometimes he used them, other times I think lenses came from somewhere else etc. For example I don't think LZOS makes fluorite triplets but the 90 has a fluorite triplet. I don't know where that comes from (no doubt a wonderful lens).
As far as Tak goes they don't make their own lenses either so I guess its the same scene. They could change their lens supplier and their customers wouldn't know.
To me the main thing you want is the manufacturer to have proven high standards so you can have confidence that if you buy brand X you will get a reliable predictable level of quality.
That tends to separate the manufacturers apart to some degree.
I am not making any comments about Stellarvue here as I have never owned one adn I am sure they are excellent.
Some early TMBs for example were very heavy. Their lens cell is steel.
I was told once when researching them that his lens cell had started to form some rust. Tak and AP use aluminium.
Also TMBs and APMs must have about 3 or 4 different tube models which is unnecessarily complicated. But I suppose they are servicing their market with different cost options.
But it is true that if get a Tak you won't be disappointed so that makes it a safe purchase of what is after all a very expensive item.
I cam to the conclusion early on in this hobby you are better off taking the plunge and paying for one higher quality scope rather than getting a cheaper one and then not being happy with it and continually trying out other cheaper scopes taking a loss each time you sell. You lose out both financially and satisfaction-wise.
Greg.
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