Posts Made By: Michael Frias

Joseph,
Go to: http://www.all-pelican-cases-4-less.com/sizes.html
This is the best place to buy Pelican Cases. All the sizes are listed, and the prices are the best I have seen. I now own about six or seven and I love them. I recently saw a Pelican 1500 at Fry's Electronics for $129.00, Cases4Less has it priced at $79.00. You do the math!
Michael

Try the Argo Navis Yahoo group, if you haven't already.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/argo_navis_dtc/

Actually I thought te 6" achromat was offered by Markus Ludes @ http://www.apm-telescopes.de/
I could be wrong or maybe Tom is offering them also.

I second the previous comments!

You can contact Markus Ludes at APM-Telescopes (link on Astromart homepage under sponsors). He is the main production contact for the TMB line and will be very honest about any concerns you may have regarding the TMB's. I own two TMB's and would not trade them for anything else. I have looked through AP's and Tak's and I honestly believe that I still have the better scope. The optics and mechanics of the TMB is impecable and you can't find this quality anywhere else. If you buy a TMB you'll NEVER regret it. I just hope that you have a mount big enough to handle it :>).
Good Luck

Paul,
My name is Michael and I live in Elk Grove, a very long stone's throw away from you. I am a member of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society (SVAS). We meet up at the Blue Canyon Airport once a month, when possible. I really feel it is important to make the new comer feel welcome and comfortable by being friendly and helpful when needed. And rest assured it sounds as though you did everything you possibly could have done in regards to star party etiquette. If you are ever in the mood, and don't mind a little driving, you are always welcome to join us at one of our star parties. I will personally meet you (and your family) there and introduce you to our members and show you around our facilities. I am usually there with at least one of my kids and sometimes my wife. If you are ever interested in joining us for an evening please feel free to check out out our website (http://svas.org/) for upcoming star party dates and times and then e-mail me and let me know you are coming and I will do everything in my power to make it there.
I hope that the rest of your star party experiences are nothing like your first!
Clear skies,
Michael

Being a TMB owner myself I may be a little biased, but I swear by these scopes. Thomas Back and Markus Ludes have designed some of the most amazing optics at very affordable prices. I own the 100/800 and 152/1200 and will never part with them. I have used all of the other telescopes available to us consumers and these are among the best of the best. Contact Markus @ APM and see what he has to offer on his website. He has just reduced the price of his 152mm, no telling what he'll do on a 175mm or even a 203mm. :>) I have never waited more than a few weeks for any of the products I have ordered from him. You can also call and talk to Thomas @ TMB Optical, he is one of the friendliest and helpful individuals around. Good luck I know you'll be happy wherever you decide to order from.
Michael

Matt,
Unfortunately there are people like this out there, and these transactions do happen. Did the seller have a 'good' rating history prior to this transaction? Has he removed his ad from Astromart? I usually hesitate, or at least use a little more caution, when dealing with sellers who have erased their transactions. I certainly would not leave him a very favorable rating in response to this transaction.

Danny,
I am happy to say that I am a proud owner of an original 152mm TMB w/CNC tube. I love the whole look and style of the scope. It is truly a masterpiece of engineering. I have added the Televue Starbeam on the TMB Starbeam adapter, a very cool addition. I also have added the Starlight Instruments Feathertouch Focuser for fine tuning (focusing). My first refractor was a TMB w/CNC 100/800. Which quickly grew into a TMB w/CNC 130mm. And finally into the 152mm. But after all was said and done I really missed the 100mm, so I bought one of the new LW versions with the Feathertouch Focuser, and boy am I happy. The 152mm is wonderful for the views that can be achieved with that much aperture. It is a bit bulky and just slightly heavy though. The 100mm is the ideal scope for it's portability and wonderful field of view. It only takes a few minutes to set up on an Alt/Az mount, and away we go. All said the TMB's are definitely at the top of the list when it comes to refractors. Thanks to Tom and Markus for their wonderful work!!

It can also act as an 'insurance policy' for the seller and buyer. As a buyer of a 'mis advertised' tripod and mount, on the other internet sales site, Paypal was there to make sure that I either got what I paid for, the necessary repairs were paid for by the seller, or I was returned my money. In the end I was returned my money by the seller. But, until I contacted Paypal regarding the problem I was having with the seller and his items, I was going nowhere with any kind of resolution. Paypal saved me once so I don't mind the fee anymore!!