My Ioptron Skyguider Pro (bought used Cloudy Nights) has performed quite well. However, the clutch to secure the imaging load has been hard to set and release. So, I emailed tech at Ioptron and they sent me a PDF showing how I could dismantle and affect repairs myself. I chose to send it to them to do the work. Here is the note I got back after only five days:
"Hi, Frank,
Your SkyGuider Pro has been serviced. See log:
Clutch condition bad, poor grip. Cleaned grease, reconditioned the surface of steel plate, problem fixed.
Gear meshing bad, adjusted.
iPolar: ok
tested for 4 hrs, good.
The mount is ready to ship. Service fee $60, S&H $9.95. Please include RMA 30133 when pay, $69.95:"
Got it back in two days and the clutch works great! I feel this is very good service at a very low cost.
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Frank N
Stellarvue 80mm APO, Skyguider Pro, Celestron AVX
"I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be"
It's always great to hear about success stories like this. I've personally had wonderful experiences with the mount manufacturer 10Micron. I sent them a description of an intermittent startup problem with my mount on a Friday afternoon, and by Monday afternoon they had released a new firmware version that completely fixed the problem.
At the other end of the spectrum I contacted the manufacturer of one of Martha's sewing machines for some help, and asked to purchase the technical service manual for the machine. Their response: "The contents of our technical service manuals are proprietary and we will not sell them to an end user."
- Mark
Mark M, AJ1B
Portsmouth, RI
Celestron 14" and Meade 10" SCTs
QHY268M + SBIG ST-9
GM2000 (10Micron)
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) observer code: MMU
