New Takahashi Refractor - Introductory Price!!!

[LewisM]

Never had an issue with Claudio, and find his prices quite OK for the most part. He has been cheaper for every Vixen part I have needed than anyone else bar none, and had some VERY scarce items I sorely needed (original FL102S focal reducer for a start).

I know some people have issues with him, but I have not and take people as they treat me, not hearsay and innuendo. Claude has been outright generous and gracious with me thus far, and I appreciate that.

[astroboy]

I'm with you there Greg
Takahashi does know from many customers what he's like I guess they don't care , buy through Singapore much faster and cheaper .
As for time waisting if you ever have the " joy" of a long winded conversation with Claude he may destroy your will to live

Originally Posted by gregbradley

If you want one just make sure you are not a time waster! That distributor is in a class of his own. A whole article on his site about how he doesn't want time wasters - who would deal with him when its easy as pie to order from overseas - US or Hong Kong usually for less.

Its not the first time I have seen him post rants on his site. I wonder if Takahashi knows their dealer does this.

Greg.

[LewisM]

I fear this is going to turn into another Claude bashing thread. Let's not derail the original intention of this post perhaps?

[UniPol]

System charts for the FC-100DC. Hope this info helps and perhaps this thread could get back on track folks.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

I fear this is going to turn into another Claude bashing thread. Let's not derail the original intention of this post perhaps?

Amazing...when ever people start talking about their experiences with a vendor the accusation of bashing always crops up...but yes this is not the thread to discuss this topic.

On topic though I do wonder why Takahashi is going back down chartered paths again...first with the FC-76D and now with the FC-100DC. Will these two scopes actually cater to the new digital age?? It has been a while since Takahashi has released something really new but it would be good to have the rumour of a TOA170 come true..then I would be excited.

[Max Vondel (Peter)]

Nice scope

Claude is a bit of a character
I'm not surprised that he upsets some customers
But I think he's a nice guy

Phone calls can be long so get a coffee ready
and what ever you do " Don't mention The War"

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

.... I wonder if Takahashi knows their dealer does this.

Greg.

Yes they are aware Greg, but don't seem to care very much.

[GrahamL]

only bought a little 6x30 finder and had trouble getting off the phone , good price and helpfull service

[Profiler (Profiler)]

I started this thread to create awareness of the availability of a new Takahashi refractor which I thought was very intriguing and personally thought was being made available at a very attractive price.

If you don't like a vendor the most powerful sign you can communicate is with your feet and not buy from them. There seems to be some disapproval from some members about Tak Australia but I routinely encounter another very very well known Australian Astronomy Store that routinely engages in flat out unlawful conduct.

Fundamental component of contract law is Offer and Acceptance.

If a store lists on its website an item for a specific price and you contact them to purchase it - they are obligated under law to sell it at that price (ie offer and acceptance).

What is flat out illegal is for the vendor, once contacted by a buyer indicating that they want to buy the item at the listed price to quickly go and check the exchange rate, see the rate has changed since they listed the price and put the price up to compensate and thereafter refuse to sell the item to you at the original price but instead only sell it at the newly revised increased price. This is flat out illegal and if reported to the Department of Fair Trading would result in an automatic fine - up to 10k.


Anyway, a great refractor is available at a great price and Tak Australia is very ethical and lawful in its conduct in forewarning that this price is temporary and will honour whatever is the clearly listed price on their website (ie O&E) - it is not subject to retrospective adjustment

I think this is a far more important positive feature about Tak Australia people should take a lot of notice about in comparison to another major store.

[UniPol]

I recall back in the early 1980's ordering a 4" Photo Equatorial Unitron refractor through Astro Optical when the exchange rate was around 550 Yen to our dollar. At that time exchange rates were on a downward spiral and in fact after the four months it took for my scope to arrive our dollar was worth well under 500 Yen. At all times I was kept informed by Astro Optical of the situation regarding the rate changes and until such time I paid the full cost of the scope, they could not guarantee the landed price.

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Variations to contractual terms can always be made via mutual consent between parties.

By providing notice of fluctuating price due to the exchange rate and you agree to this circumstance in your transaction from the outset you are providing your consent to possible variations in the ultimate price.

This is both legal and very ethical behaviour by Astro Optical as they are forewarning you of this very clearly and at the outset. It is your choice for which you have notice as to whether you wish to engage in a transaction on such a basis or not.

It is however a totally different kettle of fish to list Eyepiece XX on your store website as costing $300 and when an individual accepts to buy the item at that clearly represented price the vendor refuses to sell at the listed/advertised price and, instead, subsequent to the acceptance of the represented price they quickly increases it

I am not referring to Astro Optical as engaging in such unlawful activity

[Logieberra (Logan)]

On a related topic. What a great thread-on upgrade for existing FS60-CB owners
http://www.takahashiamerica.com/incl...kahashiFC-76DC

FC76-DC objective only.

[anj026]

It looks like the new FC100 and FC76 use the same focuser as the FS60. This is fine to reduce weight and will suit a lot of people especially for eclipse chasers and others who travel a lot with their gear.

It may be restrictive for those interested in astrophotography or those who want to use large heavy two inch eyepieces. I think the focuser has limited travel that is compensated with thread on extensions.

The FC76 objective only is attractive and would make a nice scope with a starlight 2 inch crayford added.

If I didn't already have the TSA 102 I would be very tempted by the FC100 as I am only interested in visual.

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Logieberra

On a related topic. What a great thread-on upgrade for existing FS60-CB owners
http://www.takahashiamerica.com/incl...kahashiFC-76DC

FC76-DC objective only.

That is a brilliant idea !

[skies2clear]

I can only speak from my experience with Claude and have had no issues whatsoever and certainly have never felt anything remotely shonky going on.
Looks like a great offer to me!

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Yes - I agree

Sadly - the same can't always be said for other stores

[JohnG (John)]

Originally Posted by anj026

It looks like the new FC100 and FC76 use the same focuser as the FS60. This is fine to reduce weight and will suit a lot of people especially for eclipse chasers and others who travel a lot with their gear.

It may be restrictive for those interested in astrophotography or those who want to use large heavy two inch eyepieces. I think the focuser has limited travel that is compensated with thread on extensions.

The FC76 objective only is attractive and would make a nice scope with a starlight 2 inch crayford added.

If I didn't already have the TSA 102 I would be very tempted by the FC100 as I am only interested in visual.

The Takahashi FC-76DS has the larger 85mm tube, the sliding dew shield and the focuser that was standard on the now defunct Sky 90, it will take any 2" accessory with plenty of in and out focus, I use one as a light and easy to use, grab'n'go scope.



Cheers

[UniPol]

I think I'll stick to my true fluorite namely the FS-78 and for that matter, my SKY-90 (strictly called the FCL-90) as well.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

(Here's the CB to 76-DC conversion in Action - http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Number/5680345).

[MichaelAarons]

Claude sure loves to talk and he really goes out of his way to be helpful.