Astro-Physics vaporware complaint

All right... this is by no means a blanket indictment of AP in general. I have loved every AP product I have ever owned. BUT...

I recently received notice from AP that I am no longer on the list for the 600EGTO mount that I have patiently waited nearly 3 years for. No. Now I am on the list for the new mount that will replace the 600. My complaint?

The mount doesn't exist as of yet and there is no definitive information on what the mount will support, what the price will be (but based on the huge leap from the discontinued 155 to the new 160 I can venture a guess), or how much longer we who have been waiting for years must wait now.

Why didn't AP announce that it will no longer take names on the 400 and 600 notification lists, and then fulfill the product for those already waiting, BEFORE announcing this new mount?

Your opinions??

P.S. Thanks for letting me vent!

>>Why didn't AP announce that it will no longer take names on the 400 and 600 notification lists, and then fulfill the product for those already waiting, BEFORE announcing this new mount?<<

It would really stifle innovation if they had to grind through 3-4 more years of continued production to clear out the list before introducing a new/replacement product.

Right. Rolando is designing new products and working on his business plan. After crunching the numbers, it looks like it makes sense to consolidate the line into two new products. You knew that there was a long waiting list for AP's products AND that if they drop a line, your place on the list for the old product would be consolidated into the new product. This has been their history, and has been printed clearly on their product sign-up info. You are shocked and surprised...why?

AP is a small company in a niche market. They have to be nimble in order to adjust to the market. At the end of the day, you are still high up in line for a VERY much in demand product. Why should they continue to manufacture a product that their business model says that it makes no sense to make, when 1.) it makes more sense to manufacture another product, and 2.) they warned you that this may happen.

Vapourware? GARBAGE! They have made the 600 for several years. When you added your name to the list it was still in production. Things change. You were made aware that things could and probably would change. Get over it. You'll more than likely get something better. If you're still really cranky, I'll buy out your place on the list. Seriously.

- Craig

Sorry that I have to do that. The 600 mount is extremely difficult for us to machine and assemble, and we were basically losing money on every one we made. It is not very easy to adjust in the field if something should go out of wack.

The mount is more than 15 years old now. It definitely has run its course, and there are better ways to make mounts today. We want to take advantage of new thinking and new technology, and to beef up the weak spots in our products.

Thanks for letting me explain.

Rolando

Posted previously on the AP forum:

Re: AP
Posted by Bill Burghardt on 11/27/2004 2:11 PM in response to AP "Vaporware" Complaint
I just went to the AP website and noticed that they fully documented their change and respect for the current list of customers waiting for the smaller mounts on or before the end of October, 2004. (See PRODUCTS, and note the last update listed at the bottom of the page)

I think that AP deserves credit for their continuing efforts to keep its customers up to date on their products.

FWIW.