On Saturday (20th Feb, 2010) I was eagerly looking forward to taking a few more photos of Orion, but I had a nasty surprise when my SupaTrak Alt Azimuth mount refused to play ball.
When I switched on the handset/motorized mount, the Set and Go Cruise buttons starting flashing, and they wouldn’t stop. This rendered the the motorized mount useless as it refused to do anything.
Having put a post on a forum, it looks as though there might be a communication problem between the handset and the mount.
I bought my telescope (a Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P) just under a year ago, so it should still be under warranty if I need to return it. I hope it doesn’t come to that as I don’t want the hassle.
So, it looks as though for the time being I’ll have to revert to my 50mm reflector telescope … oh hum …
Update – 23 February
I put another post on a different forum, again asking the same question and, yes, it looks as though it is a communications problem between the handset and the alt-azimuth SupaTrak mount.
This morning I received an email from Telescope Planet asking me to return the handset. Hopefully, it is that rather than the mount, which would cost a lot more to send through the post.
Update – 04 March
Well, I’m still without a handset, so in effect I’m still without a telescope ! We’ve had some really clear nights recently as well, so it’s all a bit frustrating …
Update – 08 March
Still no word from Telescope Planet … and we’ve had some really clear skies just recently.
Update – 13 March
Today I received a new handset from Telescope Planet … but the problem still exists. I’ve sent another emal to Telescope Planet asking them what to do next. It’s looking as though the mount will need to be replaced.
Update – 18 March
I’m still without a working telescope. I feel frustrated at the moment because, although they are always very polite, I always feel that there is a lack of information from Telescope Planet as to what they are doing to resolve my problem.
I’m also aware that the nights are becoming lighter and I’m losing valuable astronomy sessions while my telescope is broken. I’ve also started looking at alternative telescopes – just in case I end up having to buy a new one. I need this situation with my broken scope to be resolved by the end of the month (March 10).
Update – 23 March
I’ve received an email from Telescope Planet asking me to package up the mount and handset so that they can be sent to the manufacturer for testing/repair. It feels a bit like pulling teeth, but I guess we’ll get there in the end.
Update – 30 March
Today I posted the mount, power supply pack and handset off to Optical Vision (the suppliers to Telescope Planet) so that the unit can be tested and, hopefully, fixed. I guess I just have to wait now.
Update – 08 April
I contacted Optical Vision today to see if they had made any progress with my ‘mount’ problem, but it was still waiting for a technician to test it. They rang me back later though to say that they had tested the mount and it was OK. They spoke to my wife so I’m not sure what was said exactly, but they’re returning everything to me – with another new handset (see 13th March entry above – I’ve been here before).
Anyway, everything should be with me by Monday (it’s Thursday today), so we’ll see.
Update – 16 April
Success – yesterday I received my mount, handset, and battery pack back from Optical Vision, and everything now works OK. The handset has been replaced so that must have been the problem (the replacement handset that Telescope Planet sent me a while ago must have been faulty).
So, in conclusion, a successful outcome even though it has taken eight weeks to resolve the problem. Everyone I have dealt with at Telescope Planet and Optical Vision has been very polite and helpful, although I have been frustrated sometimes by the slow progress.