Tak collimation issues (new thread) - Page 2

gregbradley · #21 01-10-2011, 08:57 AM

What problems have you had with TNR in the USA?

I always found Fred or Art to be awesome and extremely helpful.

Greg.

Exfso (Peter) · #22 06-10-2011, 09:58 PM

This mob I got in Sydney to have a go at my 130 are a right piece of work. They wont answer emails and now I have sent a registered letter to them and as far as I can tell they have not even signed for that. Methinks they have put their head in the sand and are hoping I will go away. Aint gonna happen.

cventer · #23 07-10-2011, 09:23 AM

I am going to have a guess and say this is Astro Optical Supplies ?

Dont think its right this kind of behaviour is not named and shamed

jamespierce (James) · #24 07-10-2011, 07:27 PM

As the owner of a few Tak's this thread makes me feel slightly ill to read !

Exfso (Peter) · #25 08-10-2011, 01:16 AM

James, it all boils down to one fact. There is no company in Australia that can satisfactorily service the optics on Tak refractors. I believed what I was told that the Australian Distributor recommended a company, and in good faith I decided to give them a go. I was wrong and it has cost me. In no way are Takahashi at fault, their equipment is excellent. This particular problem (the initial one) was caused by an accidental blow to the OTA causing collimation to be affected. I should have sent the telescope back to Japan in the first instance. It is there now and with any luck I will have it back by the end of next week. I should not have let amateurs who claim to be professionals tinker with it. If you have any issues with your Tak scopes, don't mess around, send them back to Japan, they are the people who know them best. In the past I have had nothing but excellent service from Takahashi and in this instance they are still 1st class.

Exfso (Peter) · #26 14-10-2011, 04:11 PM

Just for information, I have received a report from Takahashi stating that my telescope was basically almost trashed by this mob in Australia, and required almost a complete re-build. Collimation was totally out, lens cell had been removed incorrectely and caused damage to internal paintwork and edge coating on lenses. They had to do some re painting and totally re-build the cell setup. Basically they said that whoever had been working on the telescope had no idea what they were doing. Oh yeah and I got a bill for an extra $710.00 for their additional work over and above what I paid them to get it there and their original quote for re-collimating. I have rung the Australian Distributor and advised him of this company's shoddy work and not to recommend them to do work on Tak equipment, and he was rather amazed. The report from the Takahashi factory paints a sad picture of the damage caused by these cretins. Luckily it is now all fixed and they will send it back when I pay the balance. Should have sent it there in the 1st place. 20/20 vision hey!!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #27 14-10-2011, 04:37 PM

Ridiculous. The distributor should cough up a portion for a) being a distributor who can't provide the local service themselves and b) recommending these idiots who stuffed your scope. I'd be furious.

gregbradley · #28 16-10-2011, 10:09 AM

The temptation was getting it done cheaper by a local no doubt.

A bad experience for you but I think those who've read the post are a little wiser about what to do if their expensive scope is damaged so its not all bad.

Greg.

casstony · #29 16-10-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exfso

I have rung the Australian Distributor and advised him of this company's shoddy work and not to recommend them to do work on Tak equipment, and he was rather amazed. !!

I imagine Claude has been using these people for many years for servicing FS series doublets and they simply didn't know what they were getting into with the Tak triplet.

Very disappointing to spend all that extra cash for no result.

Paul Haese · #30 16-10-2011, 12:25 PM

Pete, I reckon you need to approach Tak and go do their collimation and service course. We need someone in Australia with this skill.

Exfso (Peter) · #31 16-10-2011, 08:22 PM

Apparently you have to go to Japan to do it. Also at least according to Claude, you need a $50,000 piece of equipment they use for collimating the lens cells of their triplets. Definitely out of my league

BPO · #32 17-10-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exfso

Apparently you have to go to Japan to do it. Also at least according to Claude, you need a $50,000 piece of equipment they use for collimating the lens cells of their triplets. Definitely out of my league

Assuming you had the requisite training and equipment, you'd only have to charge a little less than the cost of returning gear to Japan. Most Australian and NZ Tak owners would be willing to pay that if it meant not having to return their gear to Japan for servicing. Well, you'd think so anyway...

Exfso (Peter) · #33 17-10-2011, 06:10 PM

Got a letter today from the company concerned, they are making an offer for me to send the scope back to them again for another try, at my cost with freight. My name is Billy not silly, you got to be joking after they have messed the scope up to that extent would I send it back to them to really finish it off, not likely!!!

desler · #34 17-10-2011, 06:16 PM

I don't know how you've kept a lid on Pete, I now what I'd be doing with that letter, although sorbent is softer!!

Darren

DavidTrap (David) · #35 17-10-2011, 06:30 PM

Their letter is essentially admitting they haven't done the job properly. Maybe lead them on a bit - ask them have they been trained by Tak to do the job and do they have the equipment recommended by Tak? Assuming they say no, fire back the communication from Tak. It looks like they have taken on a job for which they aren't qualified and have caused damage to the scope which has cost you a lot to fix. Kindly ask them to make you an offer of settlement, or you will see them in court when you sue for damages? Might get something. Does SA have a small claims court - might be able to pursue it through that avenue for not much money.

DT

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #36 17-10-2011, 06:42 PM

They're obviously not in touch with their customers - at all. If they were, they'd know about this thread.

Exfso (Peter) · #37 17-10-2011, 11:25 PM

David, it is now with Consumer and business affairs. The company have the communication from Takahashi, maybe that is why they have made the small offer, which is nothing short of a kick in the guts really, a total insult. I know for a fact that they have not had training in Takashashi equipment if they had, they would not have set about dis-assembling the lens cell when Tak state that this is not to be done. I certainly did not ask them to do this, all I wanted was for them to adjust the collimation.
I have kept copies of all communications and costings on this so far and it is going off to Consumer affairs tomorrow. I think the thing that will really sink the ship is the Tak factory's rather damming detail of what damage was done, it is quite extraordinary.

Chris, they may well know what is going on here, but at no time have I said who the company is, there have been numerous guesses, and that is the way I prefer to leave it for the time being. My close friends know, that much I will say. At least I know when the scope comes back this time it will be spot on, which is all I ever wanted.

Exfso (Peter) · #38 19-10-2011, 12:39 AM

Takahashi notified me today that the scope is on its way back to me and in their words, as good as a brand new unit.

mill (Martin) · #39 19-10-2011, 12:55 AM

Maaaaate Snake Valley here you come with a properly collimated TAK

I am really happy for you

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #40 19-10-2011, 09:57 AM

Good stuff Peter.