First Light Optics Ltd Reviews 112

About two weeks ago I purchased a mount from this company costing over a thousand pounds, so not cheap by any means. After a number of attempts to use it I found out it wasn't working correctly, so I informed this company. At first the emails were quite amicable and it was agreed that the mount should be returned to this company, and that was when it went wrong.

This was at the end of last week, and I was assured it would be finalised early this week. I am an Ex Soldier and I have very serious mental health problems, which I duly explained to someone at this company. Monday came and went, Tuesday came and went and nothing! On Wednesday this week I sent another email asking what was happening, and the rather curt reply was-"I've Been Busy!"

Because of my mental health problems, things like this which are literally nothing to normal people, are insurmountable problems for me. So today, I sent an email explaining to these people that this issue was sending me to the point of suicide!

I have now stopped any new conversions with these people, and hope to start legal proceedings against them on Monday. Which of course will come to nothing because they know all the dirty tricks!

If it's not Labour ripping off poor old pensioners, it's companies like this.

I await the "Cry me a River" "Holier Than Though" response from this company.

If only I was fifty years younger, because then I wouldn't need Trustpilot to sort these people out!

I used First Light Optics to buy my first telescope after reading all the great reviews. I was not disappointed, they were super helpful offering advise and product recommendations for my specific requirements. I was also blown away by their amazing after sales customer service. Sadly I've not had a chance to try the telescope yet due to weather conditions! I would highly recommend FLO to anyone looking to purchase through them. Thank you for the great service and support.

I was looking for a Seestar S50 and came across this company and judging from the reviews, I felt compelled to buy. The service and communication with them was efficient. I received the item yesterday, just in time for my birthday. I will use them again as I progress with astrophotography. Keep it up guys.

For the third time I buy from this retailer, in two occassions what I would consider relatively expensive items, meaning puting a lot of trust on them.
Service is effective and friendly, delivery is fast. I just bough a Seestar S50 from them, costing me with VAT and import costs 10% more than from European retailers, just because of the level of confidence I have on them at this point.

I use First Light Optics for most of my Astrophotography and Astronomy purchases. Never had a bad experience. I pre-ordered a Smart Telescope that took forever to be released by the suppliers. FLO offered for me to get another telescope that was a big upgrade at no extra cost, which I jumped at. I didn't need to do anything, they just offered and it was sent same day, received the following day. Again yesterday evening, I ordered a solar filter and it was dispatched same day and arrived early this morning. Tremendous service and delivery.

Keep it going team!!

I bought a seestar s50 telescope, unfortunately it turned out to have a fault. We agreed on the return of the Seestar s50 and a new telescope was sent to me. No costs to me. Good service!

All prices don't include IVA on the site. That's why I didn't expect, that my local customs want to get additionally about 30% of the prices.

My telescope sky-watcher evostar 102mm refractor arrived today and I only ordered it a day ago! Great work from flo optics I am more than impressed with the speedy order to delivery. Although I am only in dorset but impressive. Also the telescope exceeds my expectations.. great job

Only a small order but handled so professional. I ordered some solar film to make a solar filter and it was with me the following day... before I had even finished designing and 3D printing the holder. The delicate film was so well protected by their packing, thanks

Outstanding customer service from FLO as always. A special thanks to Alex, who helped me through the purchase and setup of my first guidescope and camera. I initially encountered a few issues with the WO 50mm, but it was promptly replaced, hassle-free and at no extra cost, with a more compatible 30mm (Astro Essentials) for my setup. Thanks to Alex's guidance, I was up and running by the first clear night!

I purchased a Skywatcher EQ6-R mount from them, which had tracking issues. I contacted them and they agreed to look at the mount. They took it back and performed some calibrations. When I received it back, one tracking issue had been improved but a regular (every 7 minutes) significant "bump" remained in the tracking. This was a very significant issue for long exposure astrophotography. I raised this to them again. I was told that it would have to be dealt with under the Skywatcher warranty. I explained that it was still within the protection offered by the Consumer Rights Act. As it was now several months after the purchase and I was concerned that my legal protection would be affected, I requested a refund, and, in good faith, placed an order for a new mount with them. They eventually relented and refunded the product, but not before a senior member of staff emailed me. He completely ignored the fact that I had sent evidence showing that the "bump" still clearly existed (I had spent hours taking videos and screenshots to assist with any repair, but he gave no indication that he had ever looked at it). Instead he said that I "would never be happy" with anything they did, cancelled the new order and told me not to buy from them again.

It appears that they will have one go at repairing issues, but after that will refuse to believe that anything can be wrong (regardless of any evidence you provided to the contrary) and just write you off as "difficult".

If they choose to respond to this review, I would hope that they would make the effort to review the information I provided to them and, if they disagree with me, explain why I should have "been happy" with the still existent "bump", regardless of whether they had already attempted one repair.

Absolutely amazed by F.L.O's dedicated, professional, knowledgeable friendly customer service. Also their patience & understanding of new customers lack of knowing 'what they want/need' Being totally committed to guiding customers on their new path of Astronomy. Also such a rapid dispatching of large or small orders.

What is wrong with me, second time I have ordered something from this company and second time I’m giving a one star rating! This time there was a lovely picture of what I would be buying, but when the item arrived half of it was missing.

After I complained, I was directed through email to the “what’s in the box” section, and indeed there was no mention of the missing piece. I always go by the saying a picture paints a thousand words, and so do this company, because then it’s easier for them to scam people.

I later checked some honest companies who were selling the same item, and it was clear from their pictures that indeed this item did not come with the package. Pictures that were honest, and had no intention of trying to deceive others.

If it’s not the Labour Government ripping pensioners off it’s companies like this one.

Now someone from the company will arrive to add their piece. It will be all so wonderful and tell me I’m a “Silly Billy” for not reading the small print.

So very sad. All just a scam to grab a few more Sheckles.

Their Response.

"He then contacted us, insisting we send him a £65 counterweight free..." First line-first lie! I still have the email I sent which I am more than happy to post on here, which doesn't contain any insisting!

Then the usual nonsense with the small print, and they finish with: "Of course we will consider If we can make our description clearer...!" So they're only "considering" it! Hoping no doubt to snare another unwary pensioner before they do...or if they do!

The Irony of all this is, there are only two companies in this country (UK) that sell this particular mount (ioptron AZ mount pro) and after checking with the other one, it seems that if someone orders a "mount-head only" they send a counterweight with it, out of respect and sensibility!

I know where I'll be getting all my astronomy gear in the future!

Excellent service ordered my new skywatcher SKYMAX 127 AZ-GO2 at 2.30pm on Thursday and it arrived at 1.30pm on Friday I'm impressed with the speed of delivery. Just need some clear nights to test it out thanks flo.

The knowledge and friendliness of the staff is first rate. Astronomy and particularly astrophotography is a pretty challenging hobby, with all sorts of differrent options and opinions. Yet at FLO they just give you the info you need clearly and in such a helpful way. And then FLO sell just about every option you could need at competitive prices. I really can't imagine going anywhere else for my astro gear. Just brilliant!

Absolutely fantastic customer service and very helpful and knowledgeable staff. Good prices and fast delivery. Recommended.

Excellent Service.

Astrophotography can be quite involved and it requires the buyer to research well and know what to buy. With a lot of misinformation out there on the internet, FLO were there to offer real advice when needed, but they also did an excellent job of handling my multiple return requests and quickly helping me to eventually end up with the kit that I should have ordered in the first place. Highly recommend and will use again!

Helpful knowledgeable staff and fast shipping. Modern easy to use website with live stock levels.

Cheaters! I ordered a telescope for a child and only the base arrived without the telescope. They didn't send everything, they don't reply to messages, I'm waiting until Monday, if nothing changes, I'm reporting the matter to the police.

Have been using them for years. They are the favourite retailer for UK's amateur astronomers.
They are very knowledgeable, offer great support and give back to the community (e.g. the free clear outside app).