Warranty question...

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Wondering what others have had in the way of experience with warranties on astro stuff in general and in particular with Meade...

I have had a Lightbridge for around 6-7 months, I took it out for a quick viewing the other night and noticed some serious looking blotches on the secondary mirror.
The next day I took the mirror out for a better look and I'm pretty sure the mirror surface is permanently etched, and if I'm not mistaken there appears to be pinpoints within the white blotches that look like the mirror coating is gone.

Now as I said, this is a six-ish month old scope which unfortunately has seen rather light use so far. According to the Meade booklet it comes with a 1 year limited warranty, what do you think my chances are of having this addressed under warranty?

I don't have pics yet, I should have taken some when I had it out, I was probably too disheartened too bother at the time.

Opinions and advice much appreciated...

[g__day (Matthew)]

Check with the Dealer - I hope you will find you have very good luck.

Also did you purchase it on credit card - thereby coming under the protections of the credit card act - giving you up to 120 days coverage for good not fit for service?

[astronut (John)]

First question, Did you buy it new? If yes what dealer?
They should always be your first port of call.
I've had mine for just over 18 months, in the first couple of months the plastic alt brake material started gouging the alt bearing, I bought this to the attention of Don Whiteman at Bintel.
He sent me a new set of bearings and the replacement material for the brake.
This had now been changed to teflon. All this was done n/c to me.
So as long as the mirror hasn't been exposed to anything toxic that would cause this problem, the mirror should be exchanged.
As I said contact your dealer first.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Yeah John, it was bought new from Astro Optical, I had it on back order for months.
The scope hasn't seen a great deal of use really in the 6-7 months I've had it, and no there hasn't been anything spilled or sprayed etc on it, I haven't touched it - no need, until now...

[astronut (John)]

Astro are a very reputable company, I bought my first Unitron refractor from them in 1970!!!
Contact them, I'm sure they will fix the problem.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Agreed - AO are great guys when it comes to warranty and service.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

I'm just waiting for my camera to come home, then I'll shoot an email off and see what they have to say.
Heres' hoping..

[davidpretorius]

yup, make sure you address it with supplier before 12 months is up.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Well, just as an update..

I sent an email off to Astro Optical a few weeks ago followed shortly after by the offending secondary.

After inspection, Shane at Astro advised they would be replacing it with a new one as soon as it arrived from Meade..and I received it today!

All went very smoothly and hassle free (as expected)...thank you Astro Optical.

And now for some observing...hmmm damn moon

[Dennis]

Well done AO - that is top service indeed and worthy of some good old fashioned customer loyalty.

Cheers

Dennis