Orionoptics Reviews 

I've just had my 14in Newtonian mirror, and 3in minor axis matching flat re-aluminised at Orion Optics, this is the second time I've been there for re-aluminising, the last time being in 2013, previously I went to David Hinds, when they used to do aluminising, and at one time had the lion's share of aluminising in the UK.

I can speak quite highly of their Hilux Coatings, and find them quite durable, the previous coatings were still in quite good condition after 12 years, and only decided to have them re-done to improve the visibility of the fainter satellites of Saturn while the rings are edge on (and based on my view of Saturn last night it has made a difference), and maybe also my first glimpse of Neptune's Triton (although I have managed to photograph it on one occasion).

With living only about 50 miles away from Orion Optics in Newcastle under Lyme, I decided to take and collect the mirrors in person, rather than risk them getting damaged or last in transit. When I spoke to John Pemberton over the phone, he was quite helpful (previously I dealt with his father Barry), in addition to the re-aluminising, I also asked him to put a central marker on the main mirror (to aid collimation), and to remove and re-glue the secondary on its holder, for which there was an extra charge.

My only criticism was the timescale, originally I was quoted 2 weeks, but it was nearly 5 weeks before the mirrors were ready for collection, otherwise I would have given them 5 Stars. Maybe the extra work of marking the main mirror, and removing the secondary from its holder and re-gluing it place, resulted in it taking a bit longer.

This was my first time using OOUK, and I was excited at the thought of my mirrors being recoated with their HiLux coatings. After about a week, I got an email saying they were all done and ready to return to me, and that the total cost including postage would be £286.80. I tried to pay them the same day but it seems they go home at 5pm, anyway I manged to get hold of them on the following Monday when I paid in full, and was told my telescope mirrors would be sent out that day with UPS. Next day I was told that UPS had not arrived to pick up the Mirrors, so they would be sent out that day, and they were as good as their word. Orion Optics took my mirrors to the post office and posted them to me. The only complaint I have " Orion Optics charged me £24.00 plus VAT for P&P so a total of £28.80 and my mirrors are valued at about £500.00 to replace them. But Orion did not send them on an overnight/insured service, they used a 48hr tracked service with a maximum compensation of £150.00. They paid £7.95. This is my only problem, and if I ever deal with them again I will offer to pay extra to get the fully insured service, or get my own courier to pick them up for me. The service and communication from them was perfect, and the workmanship is second to none. I fully reccomend them to anyone who needs optical work done.

Lost my scope (10' Meade) a while back and has never made amends. Rude and obnoxious. Even recently, as per date below, [John] tried to sidestep his responsibility as a Director of the organisation blaming his father [Barry]. In the end he resorted to a new low with emotional blackmail. Never again!