Dissapointed with GSO 12" I bought recently from Andrews

#1 21-12-2005, 12:58 AM

Just thought I would, a) see if anyone else has this problem and b) let all prospective buyers be aware of a problem with Guan Sheng Dobs.
Now I realise that these dobs arent the Rolls Royce of OTA's but the optics are good and the price is high enough to expect better than I have.

The problem is rust, yes rust, I have used the scope twice now in high dew fields and the paint they coat the OTA with is absolute garbage, and very thin garbage at that. I have surface rust appearing all over the OTA even though I dried the scope after use, I don't know whether to complain to Andrews or not? (opinions sought here) or just grin and bear it, perhaps re-coat the whole tube (after strip down) with a clear laquer to try and maximize longevity. The thing is three months old (used in field maybe 5 times) and looks two years old. What do you think I should do?

rochler · #2 21-12-2005, 01:09 AM

Even my v. cheap no-name 6" newt has a decent coat of paint & no rust. Must be a production problem with the tubes maybe? Unfortunately these things can happen with anything you buy, not just scopes but basically anything that's mass produced. Sometimes you are just unlucky.

But I would certainly take the matter up with the retailer, since they might be able to confirm with manufacturer whether or not there is a problem/recall whatever. It doesn't hurt to inquire, since this is not a normal situation. Any buyer would have a reasonable expectation that the OTA won't start rusting out within a couple of months of normal use, so you might get it swapped over?

Let us know how you go...

johnno · #3 21-12-2005, 02:18 AM

Yes,
I think I would contact Lee,and see what he has to say,
The alternative,is to strip it down,as you say,
BUT,that is quite a lot of work to do it properly,and shouldn't really be necessary in this short space of time.

Hope you get it sorted.
Merry Xmas.
John

iceman (Mike) · #4 21-12-2005, 05:56 AM

Unfortunately it's common with the GS OTA's. I created a thread about it a few weeks ago:

Rust Spots on OTA

It's a GS problem, not an Andrews problem, or a Bintel problem, or whereever you got your scope from.

In the thread I linked, there's some suggestions about what you can do about it. But short of stripping it back and re-painting it completely, it's something you're going to have to live with I'm afraid.
I've learnt to live with the surface rust spots on mine.. it doesn't stop my wife from nagging me about it occassionally, but I know it's just cosmetic and it's not hurting the performance of the scope at all.

Maybe you should edit your thread title to remove Andrews from the title, because as I said it's not a retailer problem.

mick pinner · #5 21-12-2005, 06:15 AM

lt is a retailer problem because they sell the item and therefore are responsible for any warranty claims especially seeing that GS are based overseas. Why should he " just live with it ", by letting someone get away with selling an inferior product you only promote the problem, they need to know there is a fault so it can be fixed. Let Andrews know straight away and tell them you want a new one, rust after 3 months is ridiculous, don't pander to retailers, you have rights so exercise them.

iceman (Mike) · #6 21-12-2005, 06:25 AM

Yep, good point. I guess it's another factor to consider when we recommend to people to buy these GSO dobs.

bytor666 · #7 21-12-2005, 06:53 AM

I have had my GS 12" Dob for a year now and there are NO SIGNS of rust spots anywhere!!!...I would get YOUR store where you purchased it, to replace the tube , or the entire OTA with optics , etc if i were you !!!

Go for it !!!

Argonavis (William) · #8 21-12-2005, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Maybe you should edit your thread title to remove Andrews from the title, because as I said it's not a retailer problem.

I thought the retailer had some input into the specification of these scopes (if only to put their name on them)? The only way the problem will be solved is to bring it to the attention of the retailer, who should then demand a higher quality from their supplier.

Do these scopes come with a warranty?

matt · #9 21-12-2005, 06:59 AM

Here here Mick!

If we're happy to toss bouquets the way of a trader for product and service, we also have to be prepared to accept brickbats!

It's called informing the community. If you sell something that's got an inherent problem ... do something or face the chat that will ultimately arise.

We need to be careful that we don't protect retailers from negative comment or folk will naturally question agendas or motivations.

I also thought freedom of speech, especially when it's in the public interest, was an important cornerstone of our community?

matt · #10 21-12-2005, 07:22 AM

If it's a well-priced newt around the f5 mark (8 or 10")... you wouldn't get that problem with a SkyWatcher

iceman (Mike) · #11 21-12-2005, 07:36 AM

Quote:

We need to be careful that we don't protect retailers from negative comment or folk will naturally question agendas or motivations.

I also thought freedom of speech, especially when it's in the public interest, was an important cornerstone of our community?

Let's not over-react, Matt.

Noone is protecting anyone.

For me, I expected my tube to get surface rust on it. After all, it got wet from dew, I didn't dry or clean it, and I leave it outside 24/7. It's not like we're talking a hole in the tube. On mine, it's a few spots of brown on the tube.

I'm not downplaying it though, for others it's a bigger deal than it is to me.

All i'm trying to say, is that it's dangerous to say "don't buy the scope from Andrews because it rusts". That could get you in trouble. Bintel sell the same scopes and they will have the same problem.

Of course people have every right to ask the retailer take it back or demand a new tube. Let us know how you go. I just don't know if that sort of thing would be covered under warranty or if it's considered regular wear and tear?

Knowledge is power. As I said, it's another pro/con to consider when weighing up GSO dobs versus other dobs versus other types of scopes.

Quote:

I thought the retailer had some input into the specification of these scopes (if only to put their name on them)? The only way the problem will be solved is to bring it to the attention of the retailer, who should then demand a higher quality from their supplier

Possibly, i'm not sure. As far as I know, the retailers that sell the GSO's sell them exactly the same to everyone, and they put their own stickers on them and bundle in different eyepieces. Demanding a higher quality from the supplier is certainly a valid point, however the market has also demanded lower prices, so it's a trade off. Higher quality paint finish will probably mean higher prices.

matt · #12 21-12-2005, 07:42 AM

Mike

I'm not over-reacting.

I was simply agreeing with Mick and airing my opinion (generally) that "we" (being a website in general, and not necessarily you) need to be careful we don't leave ourselves open to accusations of commercial bias.

Sorry you took that as a personal slight. I thought it was fair comment in light of the recent event with S&S... which unfortunately drew negative comment, again about asking someone to modify a thread so as not to upset a commercial entity.

Robby · #13 21-12-2005, 07:47 AM

Sounds like you got a dud Nightshift... Only use 5x and rust already! That seems a pretty bad. I'd hate to think what your tube will look like if you leave it outside 24/7 for a year like Mike has done! Seems reasonable to me to expect a replacement.
Cheers

iceman (Mike) · #14 21-12-2005, 07:48 AM

Sorry, thought your comment was directed at my comment.

Quote:

I was simply agreeing with Mick and airing my opinion (generally) that "we" (being a website in general, and not necessarily you) need to be careful we don't leave ourselves open to accusations of commercial bias

That's true.

Quote:

I thought it was fair comment in light of the recent event with S&S... which unfortunately drew negative comment, again about asking someone to modify a thread so as not to upset a commercial entity.

That issue was not about whether it was/they were a commercial entity or not. Anyway let's not get into that again.

bytor666 · #15 21-12-2005, 07:48 AM

Skywatcher?....those things are much more inferior to the Guan Sheng dobs prodiuced in Taiwan. The Skywatcher dobs are Chinese made optics and aren't quite as good as the the GS dobs.
It seems like a little bit of a paint problem, thats all...if that were me, (now that I think of it),...i would just paint it myself !!!

matt · #16 21-12-2005, 07:53 AM

No worries Mike

Nothing like a lively bit of chat at this hour!!!!

matt · #17 21-12-2005, 08:02 AM

"much more inferior" ... or "not quite as good" ...

which one?

I certainly don't think their tubes suffer from rust?

And I would question those claims about optical quality. Anyway, each to their own.

astronut (John) · #18 21-12-2005, 08:36 AM

Rust in any of its forms is not standard equipment when you buy a new "anything" telescopes included.
Take it back to the retailer!!
Having said that, I have had many dealings with Lee Andrews and so have the members of my club, and we have found him always helpful and able to fix any problems immediately, so contact him don't stew on the problem. Cheers, John.

acropolite (Phil) · #19 21-12-2005, 08:57 AM

I note that you list your location as "Sunshine Coast". My kids bikes were fine until we took them to the coast for the holiday break. Within days of returning there were rust spots everywhere. If you are within a few Kms of the salt water this would explain the more rapid than usual rusting. If you're really concerned I sould suggest dismantling, removing the rust completely and repainting with several coats of good quality paint, preferably something with rust inhibitors.

#20 21-12-2005, 09:03 AM

Forget your GSO's and Skywatchers, I say you'll be better off with a Saxon!
the rust looks slightly more classy on black

I've had my trusty 8" saxon for 2 yrs... it's been rusting away for about the
last 18 months, it spends allot of time in the yard covered. It hasn't effected
it's performance and like Mike I have learned to live with it. It probably started
when the steal was still sitting in the yard waiting to be turned into an OTA
tube at the factory. And they probably painted straight over it.

You could seek a replacement, which will porbably go the same way.

However if someone has come across a supplier or manufacturer who makes
tubing to the sizes we need and in Aluminium or similar I would be keen to hear.
I'm not interested in sono-tubing

regards,CS