Hello Folks.A couple of weeks ago my new mount from Japan arrived.I was so pleased to see the packaging was in perfect condition,when I picked up the parcel from the P.O.In previous years I purchased a HEQ6,and when it arrived the packaging carboard had all broken in transit-bits were missing,the material looked like it had been made from recycled toilet paper.
This mount,everything is silky smooth,from its first moment it arrived-have a look at these images-a box within a box!Well worth paying the extra money for a Japanese mount-This is so nice to use,compared to my long gone EQ6.
I posted these images here,as a few regulars that come here to observe wanted to see it,and I thought others may find it of interest.
Hello Folks.A couple of weeks ago my new mount from Japan arrived.I was so pleased to see the packaging was in perfect condition,when I picked up the parcel from the P.O.
Don't believe you... you must have flown to Japan and carried it back as "carry-on" luggage... No way the post would have treated it correctly... I assume (based on another thread) that you had them place a "Please Destroy Immediately" sticker on the box...
I find AP much better than private couriers,AP is much quicker,and a better chance of not been damage.My EQ 6 when it arrived looked like it had been to a war zone-the package was all torn and broken,the weights fell out.But as I mention the quality of the carboard box left a lot to desired.
Not trying for one-upmanship here, but the packaging of the AP gear was even more impressive! I was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for my mount to arrive. I received one e-mail from AP sales saying that shipping was delayed as their "packaging" man was off sick for a few days. I thought, how could him being sick cause a significant delay. When I finally received the shipment, I realised why - that man is obsessive-compulsive to the max - he needs therapy! The tape on the boxes looked like a parade ground!
It's a bit of a pity that the weather is so atrocious that we have to talk about the packaging of our astro gear rather than what we've seen with it...
It's a bit of a pity that the weather is so atrocious that we have to talk about the packaging of our astro gear rather than what we've seen with it...
DAvid, the hobby of astronomy/astrophotography involves spending thousands of dollars on equisite equipment that can't be used. It's right up there, as a bobby, with collecting broken porcelain and flat batteries.
Last word I had was that the SOI is still so firmly established that it is being suggested the La Ninya cycle could run the whole year. Makes broken crockery start to look good!!
DAvid, the hobby of astronomy/astrophotography involves spending thousands of dollars on equisite equipment that can't be used. It's right up there, as a bobby, with collecting broken porcelain and flat batteries.
Thanks Folks,getting a few giggles here with the replies-Does seem a little strange talking about and taking photos of packaging-But after my EQ6 episode.I tend to take images with a PS as I get and open a expensive package.The main reason is if something is not right or a part missing,I can show the seller,images 1,2,3,4 etc as I received and upacked it.The image also has time and date.if there is an issue.
The second reason is,well you know-try packaging and item the same way as you got it in the box!.The images have helped me there in the past,with different items,that have been sold or been sent away for service etc.
Glad to here that AP has a specialist packing man,David-AP's are the 'Harley Davidson's' of astronomy mounts,I am not suprised that the carton you got was packaged so well-I think the guy did his job well.
Cheers Chris
P.S I think 'flat batteries are looking good' Maybe the mods can open up a new sub forum!
Chris I hate to tell you this but you may already know, a lot of stuff sold by Vixen is "Made in China" designed in Japan, I know of the porta mount being labled as such. Also I don't think thats Japanese text on the box it just doesn't look right
Chris I hate to tell you this but you may already know, a lot of stuff sold by Vixen is "Made in China" designed in Japan, I know of the porta mount being labled as such. Also I don't think thats Japanese text on the box it just doesn't look right
Many of the cheaper items Vixen has are made in China-my porta mount is made in China,so to are the AF Vixen scopes-But the high quality ED Apo's and EQ mounts are all made in Japan-This mount is made in Japan-the polar alignment scope in it may be made in China.BTW-they this mount cost a considerable amount.And has made in Japan stamped on it.Check image number 6
David-AP's are the 'Harley Davidson's' of astronomy mounts,I am not suprised that the carton you got was packaged so well-I think the guy did his job well.
Not a good choice of comparisons!
As an ex Harley-Davidson dealer, and past owner of several Harleys, I can honestly tell you that you better hope like hell your mount is nothing like a Harley Davidson!
Unless you want a mount that only runs when it wants to, has tolerances you can drive a truck through, drips oil, everything rattles loose, and need to throw it in the back of a ute when it won't run.
Don't even ask about accuracy
As an ex Harley-Davidson dealer, and past owner of several Harleys, I can honestly tell you that you better hope like hell your mount is nothing like a Harley Davidson!
Unless you want a mount that only runs when it wants to, has tolerances you can drive a truck through, drips oil, everything rattles loose, and need to throw it in the back of a ute when it won't run.
Don't even ask about accuracy
Choose another comparative item
Hmmm-maybe you are correct,I got this chap mixed up with another one our regular astronomers that has a 'Fat boy'.I knew another chap (non-astronomer who had the same model 'Fat boy',bought it new-sold it over a year later for the same price he bought it for.I have never heard anyone complain about Harley's-are you sure it was Harley's you meant??
I'd have thought the Yanks would be too proud to export low quality mechanical goods,although I've heard a few Losmondy mounts are a bit "how are you going",and needed some work out of the box.
No way the post would have treated it correctly... I assume (based on another thread) that you had them place a "Please Destroy Immediately" sticker on the box... 
