Can you please put the following high end telescope refractor companies in order?
Please rate the following companies from first to worst in manufacturing refractors keeping in mind the following criteria: Price, Quality/Optics, Warranty, Support, Availability, Reputation.
The companies include: Takahashi, Vixen, Astro-Physics, Tele Vue, William Optics.
Please also justify your choices.
Takahashi and Astro-Physics are the top two of your choices.
In the same league, but not in your selection are the TMB Refractors.
Unfortunately Astro-Physics, while of top quality, does not rank high on my list due to the fact that they are just not available in any (to me) Reasonable time frame. You can spend a Year or more before you can even get on a waiting list. Me, I'd like to enjoy my Telescope for a while BEFORE I die.
This makes Takahashi and TMB the top choices with TMB having a wider range of products than Takahashi. Workmanship and quality is excellent to outstanding in these Telescopes. The other companies mentioned also build excellent quality Telescopes, but do not have the range of equipment available.
In the smaller sizes any one of these other companies will provide you with an Excellent Telescope. It depends a lot on what you are looking for.
Please note that folks who buy these scopes usually buy them as Optical Tubes only and provide their own mounts.
If you wish to purchase a complete system, then Takahashi would be your top choice.
For a slightly phenomenal sum, they'll get you all set up complete with go to mount and all the goodies. But be aware that Takahashi accessories are sold "a la Carte", you purchase each item separately.
Unfortunately modern society frowns on the practice to sell the wife and children into slavery to finance one of these top-of-the-line outfits. So, Good Luck 
Adolph
Vixen NLV 12mm eyepiece for sale
 |
£12.99
