AstronomyUkraine Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 In July I ordered a Skywatcher 120 Esprit refractor. The original delivery date was September. That was pushed back to the 15th of November. I thought OK, it is was it is, I can wait. Unfortunately, today I found out that the delivery date has been pushed back even further, to March next year. I'm not happy about it, but it seems all outlets in Europe are suffering from supply shortages due to the virus. I don't live in the UK, but suspect it is a similar situation there also. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carastro Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 That's a bit of a bummer. I guess all these factories are suffering with lockdowns and illness. Then there is the transportation from China where I assume they are made suffering similar problems. I ordered an Esprit100 at the beginning of July and was told it would be a 3 months wait. In the event it arrived on 4th August which I wasn't expecting. However as I wanted to get a focal reducer and not use the recommended flattener, that caused a delay instead and then getting the right spacing has caused further delay.I guess I was just lucky hearing what you have to say. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Posted by: @Carastro I guess I was just lucky hearing what you have to say. Hopefully things may change, and I might get an unexpected delivery. Looking at the website I ordered it from, the 100 and 150 Esprit will be delivered in November, but the 80 and 120 Esprit will be next year. At least I got some good news. I ordered an extra counterweight for my mount, for the Esprit. That is on it's way now, although not much use until I get the scope. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carastro Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 @astronomyukraineYes I wish I had known how heavy the Esprit was going to be as I might have thought twice about ordering it as I normally use a dual rig and only have an HEQ5.May have to knock that on the head now.Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Posted by: @Carastro May have to knock that on the head now.That would be a shame, you only have two options really, go for a one rig setup, or upgrade the mount. I'm looking to upgrade my mount soon. It's a toss up between the EQ6 R, or AZ/EQ6. I have heard a few negatives about the EQ6 R, namely the dreaded Alt/Az bolts being a pain to adjust. On the other hand, I have heard nothing but good about the AZ/EQ6. Although it's nearly 400 Euro more expensive, I think the AZ/EQ6 will win the day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPK_Astro Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I ordered an Esprit 100 in the first week of June and it was supposed to be delivered at end of July. That got pushed back to August and eventually it was 2nd week of September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I’m after an EQ6R but the wait is into next year now. I’m not that fussed as we have other household stuff to buy and I can wait. The clouds may even have cleared up by the time the second mount is ordered and delivered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 @RPK_Astro A three month wait is bad enough, but waiting for 9 months is ridiculous really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 @TerryMcK All Skywatcher products seem to be delayed, whether it's import restrictions from the EU, or lack of flights from China, I'm not sure. My wife has no problems at all ordering products for her business from China, and they only take 4 weeks to arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAR Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Posted by: @AstronomyUkraine I think the AZ/EQ6 will win the day.Good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carastro Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Posted by: @AstronomyUkraine A three month wait is bad enough, but waiting for 9 months is ridiculous really.I hope you have other scopes you can use.Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Posted by: @Carastro I hope you have other scopes you can use.Yes I have my ED80, and a 300mm f4 Newtonian. I was hoping to get the 120 for some galaxy work, the extra focal length would have been useful. The Newtonian is OK, but a beast to work with.Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPK_Astro Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I think there are multiple challenges. Production was interrupted. Demand increased a lot. Although factories have re-opened, they're not necessarily running at full capacity. There have been issues with some components supplied by other producers and those factories have not re-opened, or opened later. I suspect focus has been on the volume side of the business. Doesn't make life better for those waiting. It does highlight the weaknesses of the outsourced model... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incisive_Solutions Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 @AstronomyUkraine I’d recommend the AZ-EQ6-GT - I can’t say a single thing wrong with it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incisive_Solutions Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 @AstronomyUkraine I’d recommend the AZ-EQ6-GT - I can’t say a single thing wrong with it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 Posted by: @Incisive_Solutions I’d recommend the AZ-EQ6-GT - I can’t say a single thing wrong with it ! Great news Gillian. Just a couple of questions. How well does the scope perform with guiding, and is the adjustment for the polar alignment easier than with the old EQ6?Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incisive_Solutions Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 @AstronomyUkraine hi Brian - can’t advise on guiding since I haven’t tried that yet, but as for polar alignment, it’s pretty easy on it - all very clear and fittings are solid etc. I can’t compare to the other because this was my first proper mount. I cheat though and use a Polemaster now! I find it very smooth - it’s incredibly quiet as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 Posted by: @Incisive_Solutions I cheat though and use a Polemaster now! I use Sharpcap myself. I find it takes less than 2 minutes to get spot on accuracy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incisive_Solutions Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 @AstronomyUkraine I like Sharpcap too - I use that when using one of my other scopes on a tripod - but my main one on my pier I use Polemaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted November 18, 2020 Author Share Posted November 18, 2020 Some good news. The Esprit 120 I ordered a few months back, had delivery pushed back to March of next year. Yesterday I received news that my new scope was on it's way, delivery expected between 5 and 7 days. I'm very happy now, after thinking I would be waiting another 5 months to get it delivered. I have already ordered a ZWO guidescope for the Esprit, an extra weight, and a universal mounting plate for accessories. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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