Telescopes shouldn't get rained on

squeaky

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Is it advertised as an indoor telescope? Is it a decent (expensive / professional) one?

I'd argue that the nature of such an item it would be expected to be used outdoors and as such is not suitable for use outside if it could not take a brief shower.

It's a twelve inch computer controlled one. It's quite a big beast.

Like this: http://www.altairastro.com/product.php?productid=16389

somethingcorporate

It's quite a beast. I am not sure it would be reasonable to assume it was only usable inside. Ultimately if the company are unwilling to budge have you tried your CC company (assuming you bought it on credit card?).

If not you'll probably have to go to court and argue your case. If it cost that much though it is probably worth the extra £50 to pursue it!

squeaky

somethingcorporate wrote: »

It's quite a beast. I am not sure it would be reasonable to assume it was only usable inside. Ultimately if the company are unwilling to budge have you tried your CC company (assuming you bought it on credit card?).

If not you'll probably have to go to court and argue your case. If it cost that much though it is probably worth the extra £50 to pursue it!

There is no way on God's green earth that anybody expects this telescope to be an indoor one.

Granted that it's an amateur astronomer's telescope - but it's a serious scope.

I'm working via the shop I bought it from with the actual supplier. They have agreed to send me a set of "best guess" bits to try to resolve the problem, and they'll be on sale or return. Without the full test facilities I used to have available to me I can't say which bit is the problem. Nor can they, apparently. So it might be a case of a mere £50 or so for parts with a bit of luck and I'm on a promise for the best deal they can do me once we know what I use for the fix.

So a much better stance to date than where we started from, and I'll just have to see how it goes.

Oh, and it was a debit card. Not that I want to have to return the whole thing and start again waiting weeks for delivery.

verityboo

We have a motorised telescope but but it is designed to (& we us it to) look at the sky and stars etc. Hence it is not waterproof and nor does it need to be. You would not see anything through a rain cloud.

Not sure what the op would be doing with a telescope in the rain. Got an attractive neighbour?

somethingcorporate

Yep, consumer rights should be the long-stop position. Working with the retailer and manufacturer to an agreeable outcome is always better than resorting to threats and ultimately legal action.

Good luck!

baza52

squeaky wrote: »

Nope, doesn't say it is.

But it still begs the question... for an item of equipment with electronic controls that is meant to be used out of doors (in fact can ONLY be sensibly used outdoors) - holes in the covers over the electrics?

I had a lawnmower that could only be used outdoors (electric) but i couldnt use that in the rain. What about a cement mixer or kango? they are both primarily used outdoors but not if its raining.

If you had an electronic remote controlled car or similar and it got wet the retailer wouldnt cover you for water damage either.

I think you have to take some responsibility and must of had an idea it was about to rain. Surely you could see clouds.

squeaky

baza52 wrote: »

I had a lawnmower that could only be used outdoors (electric) but i couldnt use that in the rain. What about a cement mixer or kango? they are both primarily used outdoors but not if its raining.

If you had an electronic remote controlled car or similar and it got wet the retailer wouldnt cover you for water damage either.

I think you have to take some responsibility and must of had an idea it was about to rain. Surely you could see clouds.

OK... yes "some".

But there I was - looking at a clear black sky... concentrating on what my camera was producing, checking tracking and alignment... and from BEHIND me a cloud rolls up and then lets loose with no warning.

I got the scope covered in less than thirty seconds.

My camera, laptop and inverter - NONE of which are designed to be used in rain - all survived the experience.

And as for can I see clouds? Of course I can see clouds. But round here that doesn't mean that it IS raining, nor even that it is GOING to rain. I live in what is designated by the EU as a semi arid zone, so just because there are clouds about doesn't mean that I'm going to get wet. It hardly ever rains here in my little corner of Sunny Suffolk even when it's forecast - much less just because it's cloudy.

I didn't purposely go out and set up in the middle of a rainy night. I just got caught by a shower.

squeaky

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Yep, consumer rights should be the long-stop position. Working with the retailer and manufacturer to an agreeable outcome is always better than resorting to threats and ultimately legal action.

Good luck!

Yep, I haven't mentioned SOGA at all. I did make it clear that I thought that holes in the covers for electronics was not exactly a good idea and, while they are sticking to their guns to a point, they have accepted that I'm due some flexibility here.

They've even side-stepped their normal routine of sending parts to the shop, who would then send them on to me, and are sending direct. So it's possible I'll get them tomorrow. If not, it'll be Friday. So that's pretty good.

paddyrg

I'm afraid I err on the side of 'unlucky, mate' - the manufacturer can't be to blame for a sudden downpour of course, and like many other electrical items should not be allowed to get wet.

Have you considered getting an ezy-up so you can duck the weather in the future?

baza52

squeaky wrote: »

OK... yes "some".

But there I was - looking at a clear black sky... concentrating on what my camera was producing, checking tracking and alignment... and from BEHIND me a cloud rolls up and then lets loose with no warning.

I got the scope covered in less than thirty seconds.

My camera, laptop and inverter - NONE of which are designed to be used in rain - all survived the experience.

Out of interest, if the laptop or camera had suffered water damage would you be chasing the retailer/manufacturer for a resolution? In all fairness you could argue a camera is used outside but you still cant use them in the rain.
Whether it was in the rain for 5 seconds or 5 minutes makes no difference.