Hi All,
Not posted in a while, but prompted to by the shabby customer service at Orion Optics.
I ordered a VX10, with 1/10 wave optics, larger secondary and a non-stock focuser. I gave them plenty of notice (five or six weeks, as I recall) as I had hoped to install it in my obsy when a few of us were at my place near Wigtown. Appalling communication on progress and was told with a week to go, that it wouldn't be ready in time. It seems their manufacturing process is to build everything from scratch, which doesn't seem very efficient to me. You would think that they would have a stock of 10 inch, 10th wave mirrors, but no.
I did get it 2 weeks later but on unpacking i could hear a rattling sound and found two grub screws loose inside the tube and a big scratch on the mirror. Where is their quality control? I sent it back, asking for a replacement and some compensation for the hassle. I was told that it would be sorted. Subsequent emails were ignored, including asking to liaise about delivery date and an update on what compensation they would offer. On Sunday I get an email from UPS saying it will be delivered on Tuesday, when I would be at work!
After picking it up from a local dry cleaners, unpacked and the scope seems fine, although no zygo certificate, but there was a £50 gift voucher for OO. Emailed and asked for cash instead as I don't intend buying anything from them again, and that email was ignored.
My confidence in them has been undermined by their obvious lack of quality control and their very poor customer relations. I'd be careful if ordering from them. BTW, if anyone wants a £50 gift voucher for £40 readies, get in touch, but I think you'd be mad to buy from them. I just hope everything is ok when i get first light.
Cheers, Martin