Helix Observing Accessories

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Name:Helix Observing Accessories
Web Site:http://www.helix-mfg.com
Address:PO Box 490
Gibsonia Pa 15044
Phone:
Orders:724-316-0306
Inquiries:724-316-0306
Fax:
Other:
Types of Stuff:
un-checked Telescopesun-checked Eyepiecesun-checked Binoculars
un-checked Tripods/Mountschecked Accessoriesun-checked Books
un-checked ATM Materials
Methods of Purchase:
un-checked Storechecked Phonechecked Web(checked Secure)
Methods of Payment:
checked Visachecked MasterCardchecked Discover
un-checked American Expresschecked Checkun-checked Money Order
checked CODun-checked Financing 
Description:Laser Collimators, LED Swivel-Head Flashlights, Sky Commander Digital Setting Circles,Binoculars, University Optics eyepieces,Barlows,Oberwerk
Binoculars,and Discovery and TAL telescopes.
Vote Highlights Vote
Helix Observing Accessories
I wonder if we're talking about the same Helix? Contrary to the majority of comments I wasn't all that thrilled doing business there.

After email confirmation from Tim that the eyepiece was in stock I placed my order. A full 7 days later he finally dropped it into the mail. When it finally arrived, (day 9 now) it was wrapped in a single layer of bubble wrap loosely bouncing around the inside of the box. After one night under the stars it seems to have survived the trip but seeing wasn't the greatest so I'll hold judgement on that.

The one redeeming thing is he did send it Priority mail. In the future I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

Overall Rating: 5
Price:8 Service:3
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=522766

Helix Observing Accessories
Tim's a good guy to deal with. I've gotten a couple of eyepieces and a great laser collimiator, Fast shipping and great service.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=450300

Helix Observing Accessories
Tim Hagan of Helix Mfg., where I purchased my Oberwerk binos, took the trouble to help me by testing out numerous Oberwerk 15x70’s until he found one that had the most available minus diopter adjustment. He shipped this 2nd pair to me and it made all the difference I needed. I can now reach best focus with room to spare while wearing my glasses and also, although not perfect, I can even get good performance without my glasses.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=105500

Helix Observing Accessories
Very easy to deal with. The Helix is the ultimate for collimating the MN61 Mak/Newt!!

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=90046

Helix Observing Accessories
Tim is outstanding to deal with. Helpful is an understatement. His laser collimators are a fantastic value. I am glad to see his variety is growing. Thanks Tim for a wonderful resource.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=86019

Helix Observing Accessories
We were given a Meade DS-2114ATS "Short-tube" reflector for Christmas. This is Mead's DST (department store telescope) which is assembled in Mexico with parts made in Taiwan. It has problems.

Not the least of these is that the scope uses a focal extender lens that fits into the bottom end of the focuser tube to give a nominal focal length of 1000mm in a tube only 16" long. That also means that the secondary is a bit oversized.

The Helix collimator revealed that this focal extender was causing serious vignetting due to improper alignment of the secondary along the primary axis. This could not have been detected, much less fixed, using a single dot laser.

The excellent holographic pattern of the Helix collimator made it possible to eliminate the vignetting entirely, simply by moving the secondary along the primary axis until the entire pattern was visible on the wall.

The rest of the collimation process (centering the laser dot in the primary donut and centering the secondary holder shadow in the pattern on the wall) seemed almost too easy by comparison. When I star collimated... it was PERFECT!

The bottom line is that I could not be more pleased with the collimator! It is extremely well made, perfectly aligned and flawless in operation. It fits quite snuggly in the cheap focuser on my scope, minimizing the error due to wobbling. I don't have much experience, but I surmise that this scope presents as difficult a collimation problem as one could find, and I doubt that I could ever get it this close with any other tool.

By the way, I bought this collimator on Ebay, but Tim Hagan at Helix cared enough about his product to send me a manual and give me valuable advice about solving my scope problem. That's going the extra mile and then some.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=72408

Helix Observing Accessories
I sent 10 (ten) e-mails during an entire week asking about some technical information and stock availability and get NO RESPONSE, not even a single reply.

I would like to rectify my vote.
Tim told me about the problems he had with the e-mail server. I really appreciate this consideration to the customers.

Overall Rating: 9
Service:9
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=197791 

Bottom line …  customers DO NOT get treated like this at Helix. See any previous votes. Emails are promptly answered within 24hours. There must be some type of technical problem with the emails. I've even check emails that have been screened out by spam killer, but can find no reference to Mr. Foster.  I've sent him an email to call me so we can rectify this, but have not heard back yet. If you see this message Mr. Foster give me call at 724-316-0306 any night except Sunday until 10PM Eastern.

Thanks,
Tim
Helix Observing Accessories
Tim Hagan, owner of Helix, is an avid amateur astronomer. He knows this hobby as is demonstrated by the way he treats his customers and in his knowledge of his product line. His in house laser collimators are as good as any on the market and at great prices. His selection of product lines offer interesting and enticing alternatives to expensive ultra premium products like TeleVue. A great store for those who like quality products but want a little left over for food! Tim’s friendly personable service and competitive prices allows me to give Helix a 10 with no shame. I’ve had many dealings with Helix and have zero complaints.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=333893

Helix Observing Accessories
The Helix laser collimator is recommended by many people as an essential tool to accurately collimate a reflecting telescope. After paying two area stores to collimate my 'scope with mediocre results, I decided to get my own tools and do it myself. The Helix laser collimator was promptly shipped and came with excellent instructions... I now have a Meade DS-127 that performs better than it did when it was new. Thanks, Tim!

Shop here with confidence.

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=288589

Helix Observing Accessories
Tim is a great guy to work with. He promised me an eyepiece at a discount that he later found was not in stock. When he realized his error, he obtained one from the manufacturer and still honored his original price. He also maintained good communications with me throughout the process. I would definitely buy from Helix again!

Overall Rating: 10
Price:10 Service:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=257887 

The discounted eyepiece was a demo eyepiece that I thought I had, but must have already sold.
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