Fell over..

[arcticandyb]

I was in the middle of ordering a medium powered eyepiece and a barlow for my new telescope (Meade DS 2090 refractor) when my wife calls to tell me one of her daycare kids has pulled over my scope, probably trying to use it to stand up.<br /><br />Obviously the kid didn't have the decency to use his body to break it's fall, so the scope fell to the floor.<br /><br />So what do you think my chances are of finding an undammaged telescope when I get home from work?<br /><br />What should I check for to make sure that everything is still in alignment/colminated correctly?<br /><br />Or should I just forget it, re-pack it up (thank god I kept all the packaging) and return it for a replacement ? - it's only two days old, and Costco have a fairly good returns policy.<br /><br />Any answers would be much appreciated.. and no, the kid was not damaged, and the fall was not loud enough to trouble my wife who was in the next room (although she doesn't have the world's best hearing)..

 

[the_masked_squiggy]

Depending on how far the fall was (i.e. off the patio vs. tipped over), you could have a mirror out of alignment. If you notice problems viewing and it's easier on you to just go to Costco and see if they have another in stock, then that's probably the way to go. Do you have a warranty, and if so, does it cover this kind of thing? If Costco gives you problems, I would suggest looking for a local astronomy club (there are probably people there who know how to check on the collimation for you and even fix it) or even a local telescope dealer if there is one. And if Costo wants you to ship it back to the manufacturer...shipping on a telescope is probably going to be pretty expensive. So check the length and details of the warranty, and if all else fails, try attending a meeting of a local astronomy club and asking around there.

 

[vogon13]

Euthanize the brat, you'll feel better. OK to force sterilize the bio parents too.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[the_masked_squiggy]

So, how's the scope now?

 

[mpai]

By the time, I make this post, it should be ten days since the accident took place. Could you please give us and update on what happened to both the scope and kid?<br /><br />With best wishes