Quote:
Originally Posted by MuntiNZ
Yeah mate I invented that.
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That's as may be but I hold the rights to divalent-watchamacallits.
Anyway, incredibly helpful and friendly Official Place / Takahashi, dealer in California will repair/replace the TSA120 for postage. Though I think I'll ship it in a Pelican (hardcase) if I can find one to suit.
So ultimately its costing about the same or more as buying one here, but you can't buy one here 'cuz there's a silly waiting list. A real Hobson's choice (anyone under 40 will have to look that up!
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I regret to say that this has been a pretty dissapointing exercise. North of 4K is a lot to spend on a scope. On top of that, I now have to spend another $3-400, plus paperwork, to ship to and fro for repair, with no guarantee that the same thing won't happen again.
Though I'd never previously owned one, I'd viewed through quite a few Takahashis and was always impressed. Based on this, I'd been touting them as AP/TEC /LZOS alternatives. However the dodgy packaging plus the rather nasty nick on the dew-shield, obviously sustained post-factory, would nudge me toward saying you can do better elsewhere. I'll certainly keep it if it comes back spot-on, but the bloom has gone off the rose, if you catch my drift.
If you are contemplating buying a TSA120 or any Tak from abroad, or anywhere for that matter, make sure they re-pack the thing properly or invest in a Pelican or Scopeguard case. If that puts the scope out of range, (both options are expensive) you are probably better off with a WO FLT110 an SV/TMB 115 or even an EON 120 as the difference in IQ is
fairly minor. The first two come with protective cases, the latter, I think, does not, but re-collimating a doublet is a cinch if it's had a bang.
Jeez, If only they'd used bubble wrap!!!
