Takahashi - Shipping back to Japan

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Any Takahashi aficionados ever shipped a mount back to Japan, if so what courier did you use?

With the excellent JPY/AUD exchange rate I am contemplating sending a EM200 USDII Mount back to Takahashi Japan for upgrade to TEMMA 2.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Any Takahashi aficionados ever shipped a mount back to Japan, if so what courier did you use?

With the excellent JPY/AUD exchange rate I am contemplating sending a EM200 USDII Mount back to Takahashi Japan for upgrade to TEMMA 2.

Hi Hans,

I would have thought that Claude at Astronomy & Electronics Centre (Takahashi Australia) could have done that and you wouldn't have to worry about all the Australian Customs documentation.

I remember having to do documentation when I sent something back to Meade for repair, so I would suggest check that. Don't know if things have changed in that regard.

Cheers Peter

[gbeal]

Can the upgrade not be done at AEC?
Gary

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by gbeal

Can the upgrade not be done at AEC?
Gary

:rofl :

Oh...you are serious, sorry...no... AEC can't. If they can't set themselves up to do simple collimations on the scopes they sell I doubt they would/could do something a bit more complex like this upgrade. Personally I believe it would be a good investment for AEC to go to Japan and learn from the Takahashi Technicians how to offer technical services (collimations/Repair/Upgrades) to Australian/NZ customers like TNR does for the North American Takahashi customers.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA

Hi Hans,

I would have thought that Claude at Astronomy & Electronics Centre (Takahashi Australia) could have done that and you wouldn't have to worry about all the Australian Customs documentation.

I remember having to do documentation when I sent something back to Meade for repair, so I would suggest check that. Don't know if things have changed in that regard.

Cheers Peter

Hi Peter,

I got the impression from the e-mail I got back from Claude that AEC isn't really interested in coordinating the shipping to/from Takahashi Japan. I believe AEC would prefer if I purchase a new EM200 TEMMA 2 from them. I purchased the EM200 USDII Mount rather cheap off a seller on Astromart and I know Claude doesn't like handling Takahashi gear not purchased from AEC even though I have purchased eyepieces, Mewlon 250S and an FSQ-106ED from him in the past.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Hi Peter,

I got the impression from the e-mail I got back from Claude that AEC isn't really interested in coordinating the shipping to/from Takahashi Japan. I believe AEC would prefer if I purchase a new EM200 TEMMA 2 from them. I purchased the EM200 USDII Mount rather cheap off a seller on Astromart and I know Claude doesn't like handling Takahashi gear not purchased from AEC even though I have purchased eyepieces, Mewlon 250S and an FSQ-106ED from him in the past.

Hi Hans,

Oh well, it was a thought. Hope you work something out.

Cheers Peter

[gbeal]

Likewise Hans, it was a serious "thought", but at least you got a laugh.
Gary

[anj026]

Maybe you could send it to TNR in the US instead. Or at least call them for advice about sending it direct to Japan.

I guess the alternative is to sell it here in Australia and buy a new complete EM200 TEMMA 2 system from Claude!

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by gbeal

Likewise Hans, it was a serious "thought", but at least you got a laugh.
Gary

My apologies Gary if you took offence, it wasn't intended and I appreciate your input. Why I found the suggestion of AEC carrying out the upgrade funny was a thread a while back where an IIS member had issues with having a Takahashi refractor collimated. AEC suggested sending it to a third party and it turned into a nightmare for the owner whom ended up having to send it back to Takahashi Japan.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by anj026

Maybe you could send it to TNR in the US instead. Or at least call them for advice about sending it direct to Japan.

I guess the alternative is to sell it here in Australia and buy a new complete EM200 TEMMA 2 system from Claude!

TNR likewise won't touch any Takahashi gear outside the US and they don't really answer any enquiries from outside the US, I have tried on other issues in the past.

As for selling the mount, that is an alternative but is there still a market for Non-GoTo mounts. I did see another IIS member try and sell a EM200 USDII but it didn't move.

Thanks all for the suggestions but it might be an idea to close this thread down.

[bert (Brett)]

Another option is the German goto system fs2. I have a friend that installed it on his em200. Worked well.

Brett

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Hans, you could try contacting Exfso on this forum. I know he has sent a scope back for repairs independently of AEC and has some contact details for someone in the firm he said was very helpful.

[Stardrifter_WA]

What surprises me is that you would think that having a premium product, and you don't really get much better than Takahashi, that you would get a premium service. Apparently not. Maybe they think it is that good that they don't need a premium service.

[johnt (John)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Any Takahashi aficionados ever shipped a mount back to Japan, if so what courier did you use?

With the excellent JPY/AUD exchange rate I am contemplating sending a EM200 USDII Mount back to Takahashi Japan for upgrade to TEMMA 2.

There are a few sites that mention a EM200 USD to TEMMA 2 conversion kits. If the kits are still available, it may be simple enough to order one and do the conversion youself, or with the help of someone who is good at these things. Maybe you could get AEC to order a conversion kit for you?

http://telescopes.net/store/tck0002-...sd-mounts.html

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=613

[Tandum (Robin)]

That's a temma 2 Jr upgrade and they don't do that anymore. He is talking about a Temma 2M upgrade -> http://www.takahashijapan.com/ct-new...110113T2M.html

It's not cheap and it's not a kit. About $3500 for a USD2 upgrade + freight and possibly customs.

[johnt (John)]

Originally Posted by Tandum

That's a temma 2 Jr upgrade and they don't do that anymore. He is talking about a Temma 2M upgrade -> http://www.takahashijapan.com/ct-new...110113T2M.html

It's not cheap and it's not a kit. About $3500 for a USD2 upgrade + freight and possibly customs.

OK, so its expensive. It was however mentioned that AEC should provide a service of doing such conversions. But if its not offered as a "take away kit", then how is AEC expected to offer a service of doing the conversion?

Perhaps the conversion is too involved and requires special equipment, only available at Takahashi Japan. If that's the case, that could be a reason that AEC would not be able to do it.

Or, perhaps the conversion involves the use of special skills, and Takahashi would not guarantee the conversion unless they do it themselves, with their own highly skilled technicians. That could be another reason that AEC would not be able to do it. If special equipment or highly specialised skills are not required, and it is only a matter of someone having a few tools, and knowing how to follow strict instructions, then, perhaps any technician / technical person could do it. If that was the case, I'm still not surprised that AEC may still refuse to do it, if they don't employ such a technician.

My understanding is that AEC is an Australian distributor, not a service centre. A service centre would require the employment of more people.That would require a minimum critical mass to make it worthwhile. Perhaps the market in Australia for Takahashi is just not large enough to make a Takahashi service centre a worthwhile proposition. Isn't it good that we at least have a distributor in Australia, rather than say some other Asia-Pacific distributor?

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by johnt

OK, so its expensive. It was however mentioned that AEC should provide a service of doing such conversions. But if its not offered as a "take away kit", then how is AEC expected to offer a service of doing the conversion?

Perhaps the conversion is too involved and requires special equipment, only available at Takahashi Japan. If that's the case, that could be a reason that AEC would not be able to do it.

Or, perhaps the conversion involves the use of special skills, and Takahashi would not guarantee the conversion unless they do it themselves, with their own highly skilled technicians. That could be another reason that AEC would not be able to do it. If special equipment or highly specialised skills are not required, and it is only a matter of someone having a few tools, and knowing how to follow strict instructions, then, perhaps any technician / technical person could do it. If that was the case, I'm still not surprised that AEC may still refuse to do it, if they don't employ such a technician.

My understanding is that AEC is an Australian distributor, not a service centre. A service centre would require the employment of more people.That would require a minimum critical mass to make it worthwhile. Perhaps the market in Australia for Takahashi is just not large enough to make a Takahashi service centre a worthwhile proposition. Isn't it good that we at least have a distributor in Australia, rather than say some other Asia-Pacific distributor?

This thread should not be viewed as a criticism of AEC, as a distributor of Takahashi products they offer excellent service, although Claude can be a bit overly enthusiastic. I believe the original conversion kits that were on offer a few years ago, but discontinued recently, was a simple installation of encoders. The new TEMMA 2 conversion seems a bit more involved and not even TNR are performing the conversions. Yes it is expensive but that goes with the Takahashi brand.

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Back in 2010 when I had to send my EM400 back to Japan to replace an encoder it cost $575 through DHL. It was nearly twice as heavy as an EM200 so I'd guess it would probably cost you around $350. After speaking with Claude I dealt directly with a very helpful fellow in Japan. They also did a complete overhaul and upgraded the polar scope reticle. It was gone for 6 weeks.

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by bert

Another option is the German goto system fs2. I have a friend that installed it on his em200. Worked well.

Brett

Yes, I've had the FS2 fitted to my Takahashi NJP mount since 2006, works beautifully and I control pointing through STAR Atlas PRO....it can't do Meridian flips though

The motor kit took me just a few minutes to install and worked straight away.

Mike

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Back in 2010 when I had to send my EM400 back to Japan to replace an encoder it cost $575 through DHL. It was nearly twice as heavy as an EM200 so I'd guess it would probably cost you around $350. After speaking with Claude I dealt directly with a very helpful fellow in Japan. They also did a complete overhaul and upgraded the polar scope reticle. It was gone for 6 weeks.

Cheers, Marcus

Thanks Marcus, this is the information I was after. Did you only have to sent the mount head away?

I might have to off load some gear...sorry FS-78, SBIG STV