Has anyone delt with Starlight Insruments?

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #1 04-07-2013, 08:54 PM

Does anyone know who deals with Starlight Products in Australia. I am wanting to purchase the feathertouch micro focuser to suit my LX200 GPS. I have been trying to deal with them in the USA Via thier website, but its been a very slow process. Slow email response with back and forth emails just to get a shipping price. Been a week now and still have not been able to place an order. Have read that they make great products, but how do these Companies survive with such poor Customer support. I hate to think what might happen if I have a problem.

If I can deal with a local dealer, I think that might be a better option. Any assistance would be great.

Mardy

Satchmo · #2 04-07-2013, 09:17 PM

Why not just pick up the phone and talk to them ? International calls are literally cheaper than interstate these days .

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #3 04-07-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Why not just pick up the phone and talk to them ? International calls are literally cheaper than interstate these days .

Yes I am aware of that, but not knowing the the nature of my conversation does not allow you to understand the frustration in obtaining the required information. I am not sure a phone call is going to assist, the Guy is simply very slow and forgetful it seems. That's why a local dealer may be a better option for me if thier is one. Thanks for the idea anyway.

Starless (Brian) · #4 04-07-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackWidow

Does anyone know who deals with Starlight Products in Australia. I am wanting to purchase the feathertouch micro focuser to suit my LX200 GPS. I have been trying to deal with them in the USA Via thier website, but its been a very slow process. Slow email response with back and forth emails just to get a shipping price. Been a week now and still have not been able to place an order. Have read that they make great products, but how do these Companies survive with such poor Customer support. I hate to think what might happen if I have a problem.

If I can deal with a local dealer, I think that might be a better option. Any assistance would be great.

Mardy

I recently bought a focuser for my ED80 from the USA and had no problems or delays.
I emailed an enquiry about what adapter I needed for the Orion
and got a response in less than 24hrs with the answer.
Placed my order and a couple of weeks later it arrived.
I dealt with a guy named Wayne Schroeder, email him.
wayne@starlightinstruments.com

UniPol · #5 04-07-2013, 10:03 PM

Takahashi Australia who advertise on this site sell them.

rustigsmed (Russell) · #6 04-07-2013, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starless

I recently bought a focuser for my ED80 from the USA and had no problems or delays.
I emailed an enquiry about what adapter I needed for the Orion
and got a response in less than 24hrs with the answer.
Placed my order and a couple of weeks later it arrived.
I dealt with a guy named Wayne Schroeder, email him.
wayne@starlightinstruments.com

+1 for Wayne he was pretty helpful with me.

Julian · #7 05-07-2013, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackWidow

Does anyone know who deals with Starlight Products in Australia. I am wanting to purchase the feathertouch micro focuser to suit my LX200 GPS. I have been trying to deal with them in the USA Via thier website, but its been a very slow process. Slow email response with back and forth emails just to get a shipping price. Been a week now and still have not been able to place an order. Have read that they make great products, but how do these Companies survive with such poor Customer support. I hate to think what might happen if I have a problem.

If I can deal with a local dealer, I think that might be a better option. Any assistance would be great.

Mardy

I would talk to Peter Read from SDM Telescopes
he imports feather touch focusers, for his DOB's that he makes.
from what I have heard you might have a problem getting them over the phone as well.

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #8 05-07-2013, 09:41 PM

Thanks Guys. I think it's a holiday in the States as well so I can't expect a reply from them for another 5 days. I will try the takaheshi dealer on Monday.

casstony · #9 06-07-2013, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackWidow

Thanks Guys. I think it's a holiday in the States as well so I can't expect a reply from them for another 5 days. I will try the takaheshi dealer on Monday.

thursday was a holiday, with fireworks everywhere including illegal fireworks on most streets in san francisco. Friday is not though many take it off for a 4 day weekend.
5 minutes later - just had to jump out of bed to shift the car for street cleaning to avoid another $70 fine - lots of rules to keep track of in the land of the free

PRejto (Peter) · #10 06-07-2013, 04:15 PM

I have purchased from Wayne directly. Yes, a bit slow, but I received quality service and exactly what I was looking for. I really think a phone call will resolve your problem.

Peter

fornax (Phil) · #11 08-07-2013, 01:59 PM

Matthew Lovell in Adelaide also sells them. See here

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #12 18-07-2013, 11:09 PM

Well I have now placed the order and was waiting for confirmation of my order. I contacted them and they advised 2 days later that they had received my order and would start to process it within the next two weeks.... WOW. This is going to take a long time. Fingers crossed the product is as good as all I have read. Anyone wanting this product needs to accept that it could take a month or two to get. A friend on mine purchased a Moonlight Focuser and got it within 7 days of placing the order online... Very fast service... I really don't like waiting once my mind is made up... Sigh!

Octane (Humayun) · #13 19-07-2013, 12:28 AM

Just think how glad you will be when you get it.

Their gear are works of art. There's a reason why they fit them on Astro-Physics scopes.

H

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #14 19-07-2013, 12:33 AM

I would prefer to wait 7 weeks and end up with a Feathertouch than 7 days for a Moonlite. The Moonlite is a very nice focuser, especially compared to any OEM focuser, however IMO the Feathertouch is the cream and a notch above the Moonlite.

Cheers,
John B

marki · #15 19-07-2013, 01:24 AM

Not any more.

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #16 19-07-2013, 08:30 AM

Well it sounds like its going to be worth the wait.

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #17 31-07-2013, 10:36 PM

We it arrived today and I am really pleased with it. Piece of art I must say. Well worth the wait for sure. Easy to fit and is as smooth as silk. Octaine was correct,,,, I am really happy now I have it on my scope..

Octane (Humayun) · #18 31-07-2013, 10:42 PM

h