Company Seven Astro Optics - Laurel, Maryland

Metro AB

Como fanático del espacio, Company Seven Astro-Optics ha sido una experiencia increíble para mí. Sus telescopios son de una calidad excepcional y me han permitido ver el universo de una manera que nunca imaginé. El personal es muy conocedor y siempre está dispuesto a ayudarme a encontrar el equipo perfecto para mis necesidades. Recomiendo totalmente esta tienda a cualquier entusiasta de la astronomía. ¡No hay mejor lugar para los amantes del espacio!

Patrick Kelly

I've been a customer of Company 7 for over 20 years. Marty and William came through for me once again outfitting my telescope with the appropriate sized solar filter just in time for the 2024 solar eclipse. This little shop never ceases to amaze, in a sometimes disturbing contemporary economic climate of dollar-centric cost-cutting e-tailers and a market flooded with questionable-quality (as well as motives and principles ) China-made mass production where quality takes a back seat. In the 70's-80's there were still a few small telescope shops around the Baltimore area but Company 7 is the sole survivor. Their business model is split between government optical/engineered project side (business conducted via phone and e-mail from the SAME tiny shop) and retail sales of carefully vetted Product Lines...a situation requiring the SAME attention to detail, high ideals and perfection. If you are looking for toy op[tics, online price-shopping for cheapest introductory telescope or are easily offended by the lack of sales small-talk (this isn't a car dealership), I'm sorry but Company 7 may not be the shop for you. Marty, William (and Bruce RIP) and their meager retail resources and time constraints are required to focus on the needs of the dedicated domestic and international stargazer, amateur astronomer, professional and community. For Eclipse 2024, Company 7 came through for me once again!! Thanks guys!

david whiting

I have visited their store for years - often just to wonder at their exhibits; its as much a museum as anything else. They are just getting back after having water damage last year that caused them to evacuate everything - its a pleasant surprise they decided to rebuild.

They've been here decades, so I did expect them to promote themselves better and ask their customers to write nice reviews especially since they seem go many years without having a telescope returned by an unhappy customer. But they do not self-promote much. I and most whom I know in my astro club that buy here after very happy withe the advice and services. What few rare complaints there seem to be about Company Seven do not originate from people who actually are their customers. Some were sorry they did not know about C7 before they bought elsewhere.

Their store has an amazing exhibit of telescopes, samples of what they can sell. Their collection of antique amateur telescopes and optics was just as fascinating.

I visited a couple of weeks before Christmas and saw one of their salesmen spending (must have been over two hours) checking out a new customer on his new telescope mount (Losmandy G8) this is after their people had taken an hour or two to fully assemble and check out the newly arrived mount to be sure it works, well before they called the new owner to come in.

The day after Christmas I stopped by (photo attached), thinking they closed on Federal Holidays - guess what? They were there helping some family that stopped by with their old shaky, beat up, Orion 4-1/2" Newt on a Dept store style German Mount - that C7 does not even sell. Who does customer service like this any more?

Most who visit have had a good first visit and sooner or later come back. I read a couple of reviews flaming them; I think damaging any of the few remaining well-intentioned small businesses is short-sighted. Company Seven taught me what to consider about getting into the hobby, they showed me to the local astronomy clubs (they helped build), and I buy here - they are an amazing resource the likes of which exist no where else.

I conclude if they are the only game in town, then we're lucky they are in our town.

D Whiting

Adam Eig

Visited for the first time last weekend. Amazing experience! Knowledge like this is rare, any time. Explain what you’re looking for, listen, and allow yourself to be guided. In my experience, the cheapest product is the right one, the first time - and it’s also magically satisfying (to me, at least).

Daniel D.

Went to Company Seven Astro Optics for the first time yesterday, the customer service couldn't have been better. I explained what I would like to be able to do, my experience level (virtually zero) and the budget I had in mind. They spent the time to explain the different telescopes their advantages and disadvantages and what I could get within my budget. For what I want to do I need to be more realistic and up my budget, will be going back to them in the near future to buy a telescope.

With taking with them, one huge advantage over ordering online, is when you purchase from Company Seven Astro Optics, they assemble it test it and make sure it's working, then tech you how to use and maintain your telescope.

Scott Spillers Sr

About two weeks ago I had work done to my Celestron 9.25.I first talked to them about options and decided on what I wanted and they ordered the part. I brought my scope in and they installed it in no time. I got it home and it worked perfectly. Thanks you Company 7. Please consider them when you need anything done.

John Shields

I purchased a new Questar 3.5 telescope from Company 7 in October 2022. Mr. Martin Cohen and the staff at Company 7 were extremely helpful in assisting my selection. Mr. Cohen spent more than two hours with me during my first visit to their Laurel, MD showroom, discussing my needs and offering recommendations on the most suitable telescope. Company 7 personally inspects every telescope they sell before sending it to their clients, and it was a great reassurance to know that my new instrument had been inspected by expert professionals and that I did not have to be concerned about possible flaws. Along with the telescope Mr. Cohen sent a long email with helpful information for a new user and patiently provided answers to my questions after the scope arrived. I have only praise for Company 7 and hope to continue as their customer for many years.

RunEveryday

Been a long time since I've walked into a store and was just struck by the quality and wow factor.