Buying A Telescope IN JAPAN: What You Need To Know Before You Go

CLICK ON THESE AFFILIATE LINKS TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL:
* Click on the "Thanks" button in the toolbar located underneath this video.
* Like, subscribe, comment on this video, tell your friends about it, etc.

DESCRIPTION:
With the Japanese yen at a 34 year low, it is a great time to visit Japan! In this video, I talk about my experience buying a telescope in Japan and bringing it back to the United States.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO (your web browser should be able to translate these automatically):

FOLLOW ME!

[darkskygeek]

CLICK ON THESE AFFILIATE LINKS TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL:
* Click on the "Thanks" button in the toolbar located underneath this video.
* Like, subscribe, comment on this video, tell your friends about it, etc.

[CuivTheLazyGeek]

First! Also that's a nice t-shirt :p

[NebulaPhotos]

Very cool Julien! Giving me some ideas 😁

[douglasfleming]

Thanks Julian !
I just happened to be in Japan and followed your advice to the letter. Great shop. Great price. Great scope.

[MattVentureNL]

Fun video! What a great idea to bring a souvenir.

[Chris-astrophoto]

I travel to Japan 2 to 3 times a year. Although I visited the Starbase shop I never purchased there yet. So far all my purchases (including today) 😊 were at the Kyoei shop - amazing service!.
ZWO equipment especially are so much cheaper than in Europe. I travel to many countries for work but Japan is my favourite.

[Jcastleinfo]

I used to live not far from Starbase and would cycle past all the time, but never went in. Now that I've moved and am actually doing AP I've never been to the shop! I have visited Kyoei but their hours tend to be erratic and one time they were "closed" even though it was technically open hours! Congratulations on your purchase and taking advantage of the great forex rates. Come visit again!!

[DSOImager]

Nice! My brother lives in Japan.. this is very tempting, lol.

[EMAINC]

Fun video! Used to travel to Tokyo for business quite a bit but before getting into the hobby.

I noticed on your CEM70 that you have what looks to be a nice 3D balance set-up on the counterweight bar (@ 11:05). Mine is a more basic approach using washers on a threaded rod. Appreciate any details on the components you used as it is much nicer!

[nathantw]

I placed an order for the new Takahashi FCT-65D thinking it was a good price. Ever since I watched this video, though, I felt I definitely wasn't getting the best price available, especially if it's selling for almost 1/2 price compared to the United States. Trying to put that feeling aside I priced out cost of the necessary spacers, rings, and reducer (just took a guess at the prices) to use with an astro camera and realized that the $1600 was now going to be closer to $2500 - $3000 after tax. That's quite a bit to pay. Maybe that's the Takahashi norm but it's definitely not something I'm going to jump into at the moment, so I canceled my order.

[southbronxny]

Unbelievable you bumped into The Lazy Geek!!!!

[heavyjohnny]

You spent 1500 on airfare to save 700 lol. But you got a trip to Japan out of the deal which is super cool. I've lived here for about a three years now. I love JAPAN! FJB! Great Video Love your content!!! Keep up the good work.

[Astro_Shed]

Great video, but would not touch an FSQ85 with a barge pole, awful scopes when used with modern small pixel cameras….so good luck with it, and I hope you have not got a lemon there….because if you have, the only option is to go back to Japan with it…👍🏻

[anata]

There is a review on YouTube of this scope and comparison with Esprit 80. Tak FSQ85 is supposed to be worse Tak ever produced.
By the way, you are not set as yet. Missing 12-14” RC or DK with more serious FL.

[neilhankey]

Wow, you found I favorite telescope store in Japan. I use to live & work in Japan. I bought two Takahashi telescopes from Starbase, a big thank you to Matsumoto san who is retired by now! TOA130F and a Mewlon250 Special tube ring version. Still have them and will never sell either. Since then my Takahashi telescope collection has grown. You are right the warn people about the waranty, however, its a Takahashi, what can go wrong?