TeleVue 85

I just purchased a TeleVue 85 new. After setting up the scope I noticed a fair amount of fuzz on the lens that looks like the flocking on the inside of the lens cap. Is this normal for a new scope? I have had a Pronto for many years and never had this problem.

Is the fuzz on the front (outside) of the objective, or on the inside? I've owned a TV85 for years and have never seen anything like this.

Ron
Equipment Forum co-moderator

That is not "normal" for new scopes. The TV85 I once bought
new did not have that particular feature. But there
certainly is some range of presentation on news ones.
Some are pristine like you would expect, others are
full of metal shavings, marks on the lens, stray black paint, etc.
There seems to be no correlation between reputation of
the company, $$ paid, and attention to these details.

Some lots flock paper I've bought do have a lot of
stray fibers. I suppose if they got a similar batch at TV, it could
leave a lot of stuff on the lens. One solution is to carefully
clean the flocking with a vaccuum cleaner and small brush.
Also can clean it (the flocking) with some adhesive product
like blue painters tape or these sticky rollers. I've done
this many times, and it will remove the strays and leave the
well-attached fibers in place.

As for the lens itself, the fibers should easily come
off with a blower bulb. (Do not use sticky stuff on the lens
-- it can leave a messy residue.) If they don't come
off easily, I'd call-up TeleVue and discuss it with them.
They've got excellent customer service, and will make
it right.

I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as it blows off with a bulb blower. I would worry about it if it continues to shed fuzz.
Buck

Another thing to consider, I try to avoid holding a refractor vertically with the objective lens down. Loose material in the tube can fall on your lens. I wince whenever I see photos of refractors in such positions.