Oceanside Photo and Telescope

[Mike]

It's Official! Oceanside Photo and Telescope in California is now a dealer for Istar Optical. It will take a couple of weeks to get things up and running but it's a go. Having a dealer with OPTs reputation will certainly give Istar the added credibility it deserves not to mention the increase in sales and publicity. I'm sure many of you are already customers of OPT and with good reason. I personally buy the majority of my "toys" from them. They have great stock, knowledgeable and friendly associates, good prices and great customer service. In other words, just the kind of company we want to represent Istar.
There was a question raised about the 5% discount for Istar Scope Club members. Dealers like OPT will not be able to honor such discounts. However, we will work out some kind of program to reimburse you the 5% whether in the form of a rebate check or some other means. Ales and I are working out the details now. It's important that we do as we want you to take advantage of OPTs location here in the US and the stock it will have.
Istar has and will always recognize and appreciate the loyalty the ISC and it's member have shown. I enjoy logging on every night in anticipation of what's newly posted. We especially want to mention Joe aka Watcher for the time and hard work he has given to our cause. I'm always amazed at how quick ISC members stand up for the company when it is unjustly criticized.
I also want to mention our other US dealer, Starizona in Tucson Arizona. Istar currently enjoys international dealers in the UK, Italy and Japan. We also have a number of new dealers ready to come on board. I'll have some good news for you loyal customers in Canada soon. So... stay tuned as Istar Optical is a company on the move.

Mike

[Watcher3]

OOOOh! I guessed right. I've used OPT for a lot of stuff. I'll be using them for even more now. I think ISTAR is a great fit for the quality optics that OPT lists. Hope you and Ales can keep up!

Joe

[Watcher3]

I'd like to thank you and Ales for finding a way to maintain the discount for club members. We all share a vision of what's good for amateur astronomy, and saw beyond the skepticism that, carried too far, could have lost a most valuable addition to our hobby. I don't think any members stick up for ISTAR for ISTAR's benefit. It just works out that ISTAR's success is good for everyone who likes to look up.

I'm sure scopes will start flying off the shelf now, and it's nice to think that it might be happening just a little sooner than it would have without our members questioning unfounded criticism on open forums. I'm sure all the members feel as appreciated as I do. To continue to offer a club discount/refund on the eve of ISTAR's stepping into the big time, is IMO a very classy act. Then again, we have been supporters because Ales and ISTAR, and now you, Mike have been a class act from the beginning.

On behalf of The ISTAR Scope Club, thank you.
Joe

[glenm]

That is very good news indeed,congratulations.

Clear Skies.
Glen.

[Watcher3]

Istar scopes are up on OPT's site! Looking good, Mike, but you gotta get them some pics of the newest scopes. That, and I think it should be really spelled out what the bare ota is. I don't think there will be too many happy campers if they order an ota from OPT and find it doesn't come with a focuser.

[Mike]

Actually, I didn't know Istar would be up yet as we are just starting and the pages are not finished. I am very happy to see Istar on their site though. I don't have all the images to them yet. Give me a couple days guys and we'll have it looking good. And yes, the bare OTA thing must be carefully explained. Offering a choice of accessories seems to be confusing to many people. They are obviously used to cookie cutter scopes and not custom made for you scopes. Keep me on my toes guys!

Mike

[istarmullet]

I was in OPT yesterday buying a nice new Nagler eyepiece and the OPT employee pointed out the ISTAR 6" f12 they had on display. We chatted a bit after I told him I had the 6" f15. He mentioned they took the scope to a dark sky site to give it a test run so they could provide informed commentary on the scope. This OPT employee has a 7K 5" APO, he said the views through the 6' f12 were better, there was some color, but the ISTAR beat the APO for visual.

Just FYI.

[Mike]

Wow! Thanks for that. Makes my night. I knew they really liked it. They not only wrote a great review (according to them as I haven't seen it yet) but they also ordered 2 of them for stock. Do you live close? Ales and I would do about anything if we could have a picture of the scope as displayed in their showroom.

Which Nagler?

[istarmullet]

I might (should know by tomorrow) be passing by their shop Thursday, I could stop by if you cleared it with them for picture taking purposes. I don't want to go in and start snapping photos.

I got the 22mmType 4.

[Mike]

Great choice in a Nagler. Had one for many years. Would still have it but got a "steal" on an Ethos 21 from a good friend. Noticed I wasn't using it anymore so sold it on AM. If you took a picture or two and told them the reason why, I can't imagine they would care. But, I will send an email to Craig and Eric right now. Thanks we really appreciate it.