I just want to add my recommendations here. In the past 12 months I have had both binocular and telescope malfunction and have taken both to Stockport Binocular & Telescope Centre. I have received excellent service on both occasions and am really happy that I now have my scope again and I don't have to tread on the plovers at Audenshaw anymore before I can identify them! Now I need a Scopac though
Rick Donkin said
Thu Apr 7 6:04 PM, 2011
I too thoroughly recommend Stockport Binocular & Telescope Centre at Edgeley in Stockport.
My Optolyth TBS 80 GA was blown over by a strong gust whilst sea watching in Rye in 1994 smashing the internal optics. Fast and very reasonable repair costs and no trouble since. As good as new.
They also repaired the focusing on my old Carl Zeiss Jena Notarem bins about 5 years prior to that and they still work perfectly, although I now use these as a spare standby pair. Rick.
John Rayner said
Thu Apr 7 4:14 PM, 2011
Nikon ED50 problem and fix.
Recently the metal 'helicoil' pulled out from my ED50's plastic body. This wasn't due to excessive misuse and this is a well documented problem.
As I wasn't the first owner of this scope Nikon's warranty is not transferable so I looked into a DIY job.
I first phoned Nikon spares and they supplied a new helicoil plus mount for £5. The mount is fixed by 1 large and 4 small screws and comes in 2 parts which eventually need glueing together.
But on further investigation the old helicoil needs a special extractor and then the body re-drilling to ¼ inch Whitworth. This was getting outside my comfort zone.
I phoned Nikon Repairs and they wanted £70 plus postage. Optrep Optical Repairs were even dearer. Then I was pointed in the direction of this thread (thanks Mark).
Today I took my scope to Stockport Telescope and Binocular shop and they did a while-you-wait repair for £20. Not only that but they inserted a much longer helicoil than the one Nikon supplied so this should be a better fix than the original. 10/10 for service.
I'll still not use a shoulder strap though.
Cheers, John
Pete Hines said
Fri Jul 6 7:18 PM, 2007
I can also praise Focalpoint for prompt repairs to my Kowa a couple of years ago.
Judith Smith said
Thu Jul 5 9:48 PM, 2007
They've always been good there - I too have heard nothing but good (but never had to use them). They also sell the bird report for us!
pete berry said
Thu Jul 5 3:28 PM, 2007
I recently dropped my Kowa scope and damaged some of the internal workings.I took it to Stockport Binocular & Telescope Centre at Edgeley in Stockport for repair.I dropped it off on the Tuesday and my scope was repaired(including getting a replacement part from Kowa) by the following Saturday.Thats what I call good service,and the price was very reasonable as well.As the repair was carried out on the premises there was no charges for postage either.Well reccomended!!
My Optolyth TBS 80 GA was blown over by a strong gust whilst sea watching in Rye in 1994 smashing the internal optics. Fast and very reasonable repair costs and no trouble since. As good as new.
They also repaired the focusing on my old Carl Zeiss Jena Notarem bins about 5 years prior to that and they still work perfectly, although I now use these as a spare standby pair.
Rick.
Recently the metal 'helicoil' pulled out from my ED50's plastic body. This wasn't due to excessive misuse and this is a well documented problem.
As I wasn't the first owner of this scope Nikon's warranty is not transferable so I looked into a DIY job.
I first phoned Nikon spares and they supplied a new helicoil plus mount for £5. The mount is fixed by 1 large and 4 small screws and comes in 2 parts which eventually need glueing together.
But on further investigation the old helicoil needs a special extractor and then the body re-drilling to ¼ inch Whitworth. This was getting outside my comfort zone.
I phoned Nikon Repairs and they wanted £70 plus postage. Optrep Optical Repairs were even dearer. Then I was pointed in the direction of this thread (thanks Mark).
Today I took my scope to Stockport Telescope and Binocular shop and they did a while-you-wait repair for £20. Not only that but they inserted a much longer helicoil than the one Nikon supplied so this should be a better fix than the original. 10/10 for service.
I'll still not use a shoulder strap though.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by pete berry at 16:56, 2007-07-05