JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)

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JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
I purchased one of their motorized focusers. Delivery was as promised, and packing was excellent, but the focuser arrived with one thumb screw bent as though it had been dropped at the factory and packed anyway. The overall machining was good, but the product was marred by the use of cheap hardware and half-assed electrical connectors. The thumb screws that clamp eyepieces and other parts all have unfinished metal ends (no nylon tips here) and cut into the metal on eyepieces.

The coiled electrical cord from the hand controller was too short, and it used 10-cent audio connectors that wore out after a few uses. The hand controller has a speed adjustment "knob" that is really just a bare potentiometer sticking out of the case. Given the wide variety of parts available, there is really no excuse these days for this king of junk electronics on a product like this.

To their credit, JMI has good customer service. Damaged parts were replaced quickly. That said, why don't they save their customers and themselves a lot of grief by using decent hardware to begin with? It would cost them a buck or two more, and on a $260 focuser, it is silly to skimp on the very parts (thumbscrews, electrical connectors) that customers use most often.

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46106

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Bought a Reverse Crayford Focuser from JMI and had expert advice over the phone regarding the size extension tube I would need, the mounting plate and how best to alighn the whole thing. Was very pleased with the service. The product? Can't say enough good about the workmanship, and quality of the focuser. Mine is a RDF-1 and it does exactly what it is supposed to do. No wobble, no shift, and that's with a long Barlow with a 14mm Meade UWA hand grenade sitting on top!
Price was very reasonable and was delivered as promised in about 7 working days.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46107

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
JMI seems to be a model of diversity - the more you deal with them, di-verse it gets! I bought one of their NGF motorized focusers, and had some intitial trouble with bent hardware which they replaced. After about six months of use, the motor that drives the focuser stopped working. The electrical connector on the motor seemed to be intermittent, so I called their tech support department, got an RMA number, and sent the unit back to them (at my expense) for repair under their 1 year warranty.

A few days later, one of their technicians calls me to say they fixed my focuser and the problem was due to a mistake in assembly when it was built. Then, to top it off, the tech tells me I'll have to pay them $7 so they can ship the unit back. When I commented that it was unusual to pay for return shipping on a warranty repair, the tech started poor-mouthing, telling me they were experiencing "budget cutbacks" and they had to do it. There was no apology for their mistake, or any acknowledgement of my trouble or expense, just a demand for a credit card number if I wanted the focuser returned.

Now $7 isn't much money, but it tells me a lot when a company expects me to pay for their admitted screw-ups. After this experience, I wouldn't purchase anything else from JMI again. If they are willing to take this approach on a small item, what will they do on one of their big-ticket scopes?

Overall Rating: 3
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46108

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
My comments very much mirror one of the others here. I love their products, but had a problem that was supposed to be under warranty, and I had to pay for them to ship it back to me! That's a crock! Then I order a focuser (in writing), they mess up the order, and I have to pay for their mistake. Come on JMI, get it together.

Overall Rating: 3
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46109

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Hmmmm... I'm sure people have had problems like any retailer, but my experiences have been much differnt. I've owned one JMI scope, 2 NGF, 1 NGF-s, 5 Moto Focus, 5 Moto Dec, 1 NGC-Max, and 2 encoder kits. Over 10+ years. Never a problem. Not one. Several calls for tech help with great service. I give a 9 'cause nobody gets a "10", and they have no online ordering!

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46110

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
A class act. Provide a great service for astronomers. Recommend, prices are a bit high but these guys really provide the service and technical support to justify. They solve problems!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46111

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
I have purchased much from JMI over the years - great service, products, and WEB page!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46112

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Their service was great when I needed it. The tech worked with me to solve the problem and even sent a replacement BBox unit before I sent the original product back to them. However, the quality of their products varies. An illuminated polar scope for my Losmandy mount was nicely machined, but the crapy push button illumination switch was made with bent sheet metal and a plastic backing that didn't fit because it was drilled cockeyed and cut without square edges. The sheet metal had sharp edges and an unprofessional fit and finish. This is a company that has some nice products, but they are not fully executed. It is as if one part of the product is manufactured by a qualified producer, but then JMI tacks on a second part made in bubba's machine shop. I've seen it more than once. Excellent tech support from good people. Generally good products, but quality is not a feature that appears throughout their products with consistency.

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46113

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
I purchased an NGF-SE focusser for my LX-200,and it arrived with one of the set-screws missing, a problem cheaply rectified,or so I thought! The company obviously did not believe that it short-changed on an item, and had the audacity to charge me for a "Hardware package" of assorted screws & knobs,most of which I'll probably never use! $25 for a (missing) set-screw is a bit steep!
I also cannot recommend their so-called Organizer/Work station for the LX-200. At $98,all you get is a couple of pieces of flimsy aluminium that flop around the top of the tripod, and which are too steeply angled to hold the heavier style 1.25" eyepieces stably. You need to fit rear lens caps to Pentax XL or Vixen LVW eyepieces(after slipping them into the tray) just to stop them falling out! Disappointing!

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46114

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Great focusers. I have 3 total. Service very good, as was shipping. Prices a little high maybe.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46115

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
It's always a risk ordering expensive kit from a 'foreign' company, but JMI made the experience of acquiring encoders, fixing kit and DSC computer a very pleasurable experience. Pre-order queries were answered promptly and in full; the goods were dispatched on time and the comprehensive accompanying paperwork made my accountant happy. The goods worked as advertised and the installation instructions, whilst looking 'rough', were in fact exactly what was required, being succinct and accurate.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46116

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Excellent transaction, although there wasn't much to it. Just called up to order a case for my LX90 OTA; they took my info, gave me an approximate ship date, and it arrived close enough to that date to satisfy me.

I should mention that they make this case themselves, and it turned out to be *very* well done, perfect fit, etc.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46117

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
I purchased an NGT 6 telescope from JMI. Prior to receiving the scope, the service was excellent and emails were returned promptly. After I received the scope and was having difficulties, several emails were unanswered. My only choice was to pay for long distance phone calls to get help. When I described the problems with the scope, it seemed there was an element of disbelief. But finally I was told to return the controller (at my cost). Meanwhile the scope did not track smoothly and the GOTO was inconsitent. Again, no response to emails. I finally called to return the scope. After JMI received the scope back from me, I then got a call from JMI indicating that indeed the scope was damaged in shipment to me. But by that time I had invested in another scope, and even if I wanted to, could not give the scope "a second chance" as they wanted me to. It cost nearly $50.00 to return the scope, and even though by JMI's admission the scope was damaged when the scope was orginally shipped to me, they charged me the 10% re-stocking charge. In addition, It took several emails and a long distance call to get the credit on my Mastercard. Considering the difficulty I had with JMI, I would be hesitant to buy another high-value item from them. (Note: On his website, Todd Gross mentioned that the NGT-6 he received from JMI was malfunctioning as well).

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46118

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Bought the reverse crayford kit from them. Customer service was great when ordering. The person pointed me to a more appropriate focuser for my ATM project which was actually cheaper than the one I was inquiring about.

Shipping was not prompt though. After a week waiting I called them. They claimed that the focuser was being manufactured and would take extra time. Nothing was said up front about such a delay. Nice focuser but don't get in a hurry as it may take a while to get to you.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46119

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
I very much enjoy their focusers. I have a DX-3 that came with my Dob. I ordered a Mini-2 for my Mak-Newt. But then I ordered one for my Ultima 8. Despite calls and ordering via mail(have only done that twice)with a detailed letter with what item(including part#)I wanted, they sent me a unit with DRO instesd of DFC. I kept the original so I know what I sent. To add insult to injury, they forced me to pay for shipping both ways to correct their mistake. I didn't screw the order up, they did. When the focuser w/DFC arrived I saw that their DFC unit is a cheeseball add-on. I later needed warranty work performed on a dec. motor, also because of a cheap design. I e-mailed as to why it was taking so much longer than they had promised. It was ready but they said I didn't include funds for return shipping(which they never mentioned). They pulled the shipping cost stunt again! I asked them why they hadn't contacted me about that and all I got was a crappy attitude and a "it's not our responsibility" answer. They were literally holding my motor for ransom! Mix ups can happen but I see a very real trend here.

Overall Rating: 3
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46120

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Jim's Mobile is something of a contradiction...good, for the most part, products--very good, usually--but customer service bordering on the very poor.

Last year I ordered the Reverse Crayford Focuser Kit from them to use on my little daughter's Christmas Dobsonian. Elizabeth and I were excited about this scope...I had a wonderful Parks mirror set to put in it and the prospect of a very affordable 2" focuser seemed great. Called JIM's. No problem...quoted me the appropriate price,a nd promised to ship the kit soon.

When it arrives (in a reasonably timely manner) I note that also included in the kit is the motofocus attachment, and that I've been billed an additional 100 dollars on my credit card. I call 'em and the woman who answers the phone is, shall we say, less than accommodating. She pretty much claims that I MUST have ordered the motofocus attachment. I demur, saying that I know what I ordered and what I agreed to pay for it. She finally agrees to give me an RMA for the motofocus after making sure that I understand that _she's not crediting me for anything until they receive the part back_. Ok, whatever, quite understandable. What bothered me was the rudeness.

I then proceed to assemble the kit and find that a vital part has not had two required holes drilled. Without these holes, which would need a good drill press to drill, the focuser cannot be assembled. Period. Call 'em back on my dime again. THIS time I speak to an engineer who'd a little nicer and more apologetic. Return the part and we'll take care of it. I mention this is for my daughter's scope, and that I need it a.s.a.p: "We'll try to do our best." Frankly, the proper thing to do would've been to ship me the part _immediately_, whether they'd received the defective yet part or not. I mean, why not? Why would I rip them off for a part that would have no conceivable use other on the focuser kit. And there would certainly be no reason I'd want TWO. This was an understandable attitude with the motofocus but not with their DEFECTIVE PART.

Whatever. Into a box goes the motofocus device and the bad part. Off to the post office I go. I did, indeed, receive the needed part and a refund for the motofocus in a timely manner. And the focuser, once assembled works very well. I believe they even reimbursed me for shipping on this transaction. My complaint is just that I was treated in a rude manner by my initial contact who just assumed that I MUST be at fault.

I'd run into the same problem a couple of years previously on an NGF focuser I bought from 'em and which failed to appear after weeks of waiting. Good product, but rude treatement by (apparently) the same woman as the one involved in the later RCF buy when I called to try to find out what had happened to my NGF.

I'm inclined to give JMI _one last chance_ to get an order right/treat me decently, as they _do_ make good products. But three strikes and you're out, Jim.

Peace,
Rod Mollise

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46121

JMI (Jim's Mobile, Inc.)
Easy to work with on special applications. Good communications.

Overall Rating: 8
Price:7 Service:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=120781

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