The Skywatcher Startravel 80 is an 80mm F5 achromatic refractor with a decent rack and pinnion focuser.
It comes complete with tube rings and makes an excellent little guidescope or travel rich field telescope.
The Altair Lightwave 80mm F6.25 is a portable ED refractor for imaging and visual use. The doublet F6.25 ED optics feature a Synthetic Fluorite Ohara FPL53 ED element for very good colour correction and high contrast images. Colour aberrations are almost invisible with well corrected eyepieces even on bright objects at high power. For terrestrial spotting use, this multi-purpose instrument outperforms spotting scopes costing up to 4x the price with ease when an astro eyepiece is used. The design objective was to keep weight low for portability, while adding a rack and pinion focuser, tube rings, and a proper, rigid, imaging compatible interface for CCD and DSLR camera users. This product combines all the features our customers have been asking for, and then some.
Several features make the Altair Lightwave 80mm F6.25 solid choice for imaging or visual use. The dual speed rack and pinion focuser with a 1:10 ratio fine adjustment knob makes accurate focusing easy. That means sharp images at the eyepiece, or on your camera CCD chip (focusing is especially easy in "live view mode" on a DSLR). 8x steel roller bearings support the focuser tube along it's length, making the focuser more rigid than focusers of comparable size, while keeping the overall optical tube as light as possible. A rack 'n pinion gear improves the "lifting power" of the focuser, making it similar to a large Crayford, but keeping weight and size down to fulfill the portability requirement. Proper tube rings grip the optical tube, with a standard M6 hole spacing. This enables use of the Altair TMS 180 Vixen-format dovetail bar so you can mount this telescope side-by-side, or "piggyback" it on another telescope with a solid connection. By allowing the use of a proper tube ring / dovetail bar system, the whole system is more rigid compared to designs using an L-Shaped foot attached to the focuser by one bolt. With dual tube rings, the telescope is supported along it's length, allowing easier balancing. The included aluminium-finish carry case is padded with protective foam, and protects the scope for travel.
Adapters: The rear of the focuser sports a M54x0.75mm thread, enabling direct connection of several cameras and filter wheels and keeping the aperture as clear as possible. The telescope includes an M54x0.75mm to standard 2" push-fit adapter enabling the use of standard astro 2" eyepieces and diagonals. What's more, the adapter has 3x clamping screws (one thumbscrew and two slotted) with 120 degree separation, to ensure a rigid connection and a tight grip on your visual or imaging accessories. To make the system even more compatible with modern imaging equipment, an optional M54x0.75mm to M48x0.75mm (e.g. Standard filter thread) adapter is also available. This lets you screw the Altair M48 variable spacer system directly to the focuser, to connect M48 CCD cameras, filter wheels and field flatteners, or your digital SLR via any standard M48 DSLR camera adapter.
Mounts: For imaging, this telescope enables you to use a very light weight mount indeed so just about any mount from about EQ5 size upwards will do, and unguided exposures are possible provided you polar align accurately. For visual use or solar observing, this telescope is an ideal companion for the iOptron Cube PRO and this would be an airline portable package similar in size to a medium camera zoom lens.
80mm Doublet, Ohara Synthetic Fluorite FPL-53 ED lens, 500mm focal length. Max practical power 160x (approx.) 540mm folded length, weight 3kg (approx.) Dual Speed 1:10 ratio Rack n Pinion focuser with internal baffling. M54x0.75mm rear thread > 2 push-fit adapter with 3x clamping screws and brass compression ring included. Alu-finish case with foam padding. Optional M48 male-thread imaging adapter, compatible with Altair M48 variable spacers or a DSLR M48 adapter. 2x Tube rings, enabling use of a proper Vixen-format dovetail bar for maximum compatibility with mounts, and a very short fold-down length for travel.
The Altair Astro Wave Series 102mm f715mm EDT APO is a highly specified triplet APO refractor offering premium class visual or imaging performance. This telescope is a natural choice for customers wanting the best possible optical performance in a portable package, and has attracted rave reviews from our Beta testers. It fits nicely in the range, with smaller dimensions than the famous Altair 115mm Triplet APO.
The Altair 102-715 EDT is the ideal multi-purpose telescope platform, suited for the amateur astronomer interested in both visual and imaging use, and offering excellent performance in both areas. It offers a wide-field or a high power view and is therefore more versatile than a Cassegrain type reflector, enabling high contrast views of planets and wide field deep sky objects.
Hand crafted optics: The 102-715 EDT APO optics are hand finished at the final stages of production and repeatedly tested until signed off by the optician in charge. Each lens cell has a unique serial number, guaranteeing it's originality as a genuine Altair Astro optic. A laser interferogram image in 532nm green light with corresponding lens serial number, is available for an additional £85 at the time of ordering.
3" Field flattener for astro-imaging: A optional, dedicated large format field flattener is available separately with this telescope package for use with CCD imaging chips. The large format 3" field flattener screws directly to the rear of the focuser (the 2" push-fit adapter can be removed) to reduce flex in the imaging train, resulting in tighter star images, and sharper images. A conical T-thread adapter is included which screws into the rear of the focuser, with the correct spacing for Nikon or Canon EOS DSLR cameras. All you need is an M48 camera adapter to attach your DSLR. If you have a CCD camera, try our variable M48 spacers to get the right distance to the chip which is approx. 65mm from the base of the conical adapter rear M48 thread. (See associated products below).
3" Focuser for astro-imaging: The large format rotating 3" CNC machined focuser offers a rigid and stable platform for imaging use. The pushfit adapter accepts all 2" accessories for visual use, such as star diagonals. It features 3x clamps, and a brass compression ring, offering increased rigidity compared to single screw designs. The focuser can be fully automated and motorised within minutes with the optional USBnStep motor focusing systems we offer separately. We are currently testing an optional Starlight Feathertouch focuser is also now available to fit the Altair 102-715 and Altair 130-905 EDT APOs which all use the same focuser. Our USB nStep motor focuser unit is also offered with adapter set to fit the Starlight Feathertouch 3" focuser available separately. Please enquire as to pricing and availability for this option.
What performance improvement does the 102mm triplet ED lens offer? The Altair 102-715 APO sports a triplet air-spaced FPL-53 lens system for better colour correction than normal doublet or dual lens telescopes. This results in higher contrast, and a cleaner sharper image with no spurious colour visible at all in the image. Blue colour correction is particularly good.
The combination of a triplet ED lens system with very high surface accuracy, and the fact that this telescope does not have a central obstruction like a reflector telescope, means that it will deliver increased contrast compared to a reflector telescope such as a Schmidt Cassegrain or Newtonian of slightly more aperture, revealing more detail.
What magnification will eyepieces produce? As an example, the following common eyepiece focal lengths will give the following magnification:
Eyepiece: Power: 31mm 23x 24mm 30x 19mm 38x 15mm 48x 11mm 65x 9mm 79x 4mm 179x
Click here to see 60mm Finder, Mini Guider and 3" Planostar Flattener
The Altair Astro 80mm ED Triplet APO refractor uses a 480mm focal length lens cell with Japanese FPL53 ED glass from Ohara.
A rigid aluminium tube with two tube rings allows stable mounting for astro photography, and the 3.5" rotating dual speed focuser can handle heavy loads, with a direct threaded connection to the optional dedicated Altair 1.0x M48 field flattener (option available in dropdown menu below).
Tube rings are provided with standard M6 hole patterns to fit most hardware mounting systems on the market, and are fully compatible with the Altair TMS Telescope Mounting System TM.
We recommend the Altair Astro 60mm Deluxe Finder Scope (see drop dpwn menu below) which is a perfect fit and can double as an autoguider for imaging by adding the Altair Miniguider adapter.
As a portable wide field refractor for astro imaging or visual use, this is an extremely capable telescope in all areas. Colour correction is excellent, and contrast is very high, enabling faint and subtle details to be observed visually or in images. The optical tube assembly is perfect for the iOptron iEQ30 or iEQ45 mount, Avalon M-UNo and Linear mounts .
The 3.5" focuser is compatible with the Lakeside Motor Focus systemfor perfect PC automated or manual focusing via the hand controller or USB port.
Hand crafted optics: These 80/480 EDT APO optics are hand finished at the final stages of production and repeatedly tested until signed off by the optician in charge. Each lens cell has a unique serial number, guaranteeing it's originality as a genuine limited edition Altair Astro optic. A laser interferogram image in 532nm green light with corresponding lens serial number, is available for an additional £85 at the time of ordering. We need to know in advance if you need a test report.
Altair Astro 80mm F6 ED Triplet APO Features: 80mm multi coated objective lens, 480mm focal length, FPL53 ED Optics from Ohara Japan Highest practical magnification 150x, light grasp 131x human eye 43cm length, approx. weight 2.85kg (without optional finder). 1:10 ratio dual speed focuser with direct fit for optional 1.0x field flattener and 3x clamp compression ring for 2" accessories 2" to 1.25" eyepiece adapter Tube rings with standard M6 30mm hole pattern (enabling the telescope to be balanced more easily for imaging, or dual-mounted as a guide scope). Standard Vixen-format dovetail bar included. FREE Protective case with foam padding (note the case is designed to protect the telescope during shipping and is therefore offered as "free". We cannot provide replacement cases if marked or damaged, however the telescope itself is of course fully insured against any damage in transit).
Click here to see the 60mm Mini Guider and 10x60 Finderscope
The new Sky-Watcher Professional Esprit-100ED Quintuplet 5-Element ED apochromatic refractor offers very high optical performance rivaling or exceeding similar telescopes of even the most famous high-end telescope brands.
Designed for the most demanding astro-imagers but is also a fine telescope for visual observations. The premium, superbly-corrected optical system delivers high-contrast images full of detail with pin-point stars right up to the edge of the field and zero detectable colour fringing, even on the brightest of objects.
The compact 5-Element design includes two ED elements. Most importantly, the design puts all five lenses in front of the focuser, leaving a free back focus of more than 150mm. A large variety of accessories, both widefield visual and widefield photographic can be combined, without the need for additional corrector lenses. The large field covers more than 5-degrees of sky. Astrophotographers will also appreciate the fast f5 focal ratio.
Main Features:
5-Element Design, Focal Length 500mm, Focal Ratio f/5 (two Ohara ED lenses and 3 x Schott Lenses 2.7 CNC Machined 11:1 Dual-Rotatable Dual-Speed Linear Power Focuser Full-frame Corrected Focal Plane (44mm) Excellent Field Flatness Zero detectable Colour Fringing even on Bright Objects Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings Knife-edge Baffled Optical System High-precision Mechanical Components Aluminium OTA material (superior to plain carbon-fibre for this application) Retractable Dew Shield OTA Weight 7kg (without visual accessories), 10kg (with visual accessories & dovetail bars)
2.7 Dual-speed Linear Power Focuser
High Load Capacity 2.7 LPF with 2 and 1.25 eyepiece adaptors and indexed scale Zero focus-shift during focusing New drawtube with steel sheet held by four large bearings makes focusing smoother than ever The smooth focus motion and 11:1 fine focus wheel allows precision adjustment and critical focusing of eyepieces & cameras Patent-pending design
Accessories Supplied:
2 Dielectric Star Diagonal, 28mm 2 LET Eyepiece, 9x50 Right-Angled Erect Image Finderscope, M48 Canon T-Ring, Photo Adaptor Tube, Tube Rings, 75mm Dovetail Mounting Bars & Aluminium Carrying Case
The new EVOSTAR DS-PRO Series ED Apochromatic refractors in their stunning Black-Diamond livery, house premium optics of the same quality and performance level as our legendary Equinox series, making them superb instruments for both imaging and visual observations.
Apochromatic Refractors, due to their unobstructed, text-book like diffraction patterns, produce the sharpest, highest quality optical imaging available, bar-none, aperture for aperture, of any telescope optical system.
These high-end telescopes all feature a doublet objective lens. One element is made from premium Japanese Ohara FPL-53 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass, which virtually eliminates chromatic aberration to deliver true colour reproduction. Top quality Schott glass is utilized for the Crown element.
Each air-to-glass lens surface has exotic anti-reflection metallic coatings applied, to ensure optimum light through-put of approaching 99.5%!!
The proprietary Sky-Watcher Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHC) are the finest photon anti-rejection coatings in their class.
Package Includes
Evostar DS-PRO 80mm F/7.5 optical tube assembly (OTA). Optics made in FPL-53 glass. 2" (50.8mm) Di-Electric Star Diagonal. 2" Eyepiece 28mm LET. 9x50 Finderscope. Dual speed 11:1 2" Crayford focuser. Tube rings and mounting plate. Aluminium carrying and storage case.
F7 120mm APO Triplet Refractor
The new Sky-Watcher Professional ESPRIT 3-Element ED apochromatic refractors are probably this year's most anticipated new telescopes with optical performance rivaling or exceeding similar telescopes from even the most famous high-end brands.
Designed primarily for demanding astro-imagers wanting high-contrast images full of detail with pin-point stars right to the edge of the field and zero detectable colour fringing, even on the brightest of objects!
MAIN FEATURES:
3-Element Objective Lens, Focal Length 840mm (one Ohara FPL-53 and 2 x Schott lenses) 3 CNC Machined 11:1 Rotatable Dual-Speed Linear Power Focuser Full-frame Corrected Focal Plane Excellent Field Flatness Zero detectable Colour Fringing even on Bright Objects Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings Knife-edge Baffled Optical System High-precision Mechanical Components Aluminium OTA material (superior to plain carbon-fibre for this application) Retractable Dew Shield
3 DUAL-SPEED LINEAR POWER FOCUSER
3 LPF with 2 and 1.25 eyepiece adaptors and indexed scale Zero focus-shift during focusing High Load Capacity - holds up to 5kg of accessories whilst focusing and up to 10kg when locked. New drawtube with steel sheet held by four large bearings makes focusing smoother than ever The smooth focus motion and 11:1 fine focus wheel allows precision adjustment and critical focusing of eyepieces & cameras Patent-pending design
ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED: 2 Dielectric Star Diagonal, 28mm 2 LET Eyepiece, 9x50 Right-Angled Erect Image Finderscope, Tube Rings and Dovetail Mounting Bar
F7 150mm APO Triplet Refractor
FEATURES:
3-Element Objective Lens, Focal Length 1050mm (one Ohara FPL-53 and 2 x Schott lenses) 3 CNC Machined 11:1 Rotatable Dual-Speed Linear Power Focuser Full-frame Corrected Focal Plane Excellent Field Flatness Zero detectable Colour Fringing even on Bright Objects Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings Knife-edge Baffled Optical System High-precision Mechanical Components Aluminium OTA material (superior to plain carbon-fibre for this application) Retractable Dew Shield
ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED:
M48 Doublet Field Flattener (x1), 2 Dielectric Star Diagonal, 28mm 2 LET Eyepiece, 9x50 Right-Angled Erect Image Finderscope, Tube Rings and Dovetail Mounting Bar.
Skywatcher 100 ED DS Pro with 0.85x Reducer/Corrector Special Short Term Offer - May be discontinued at any time with no prior warning.
The Meade Series 5000 Triplet APO refractor package offers outstanding value and performance.
The package includes the 127mm F7 Triplet APO OTA comeplete with Hard CAse, 8 x 50 finderscope and 99% reflectivity 2" diagonal.
For crisp wide field observing and imaging, nothing can beat a true triple-element apochromatic refractor (APO). This is especially true in astrophotography, where APOs have produced some of the most beautiful images of the heavens ever taken from earth. But not all APOs are created equal. Todays market is filled with semi-APOs (with two lenses instead of three) that dont bring all the colors to focus in the refractor. Thanks to a two-year design process and a triple objective lens made from the highest quality ED (extra-low dispersion) glass, Meade Series 5000 ED APO Triplets are virtually free of chromatic aberration (color fringing). This means they outperform the most expensive semi-APOs at a fraction of the cost. Expert observers will be delighted by the total absence of color fringing and the scopes textbook-perfect pinpoint star images. Even beginners will notice the breathtaking high contrast and resolution of a Series 5000 APO. The focuser is a precision Crayford with dual speed for the ultimate control for visual and imaging. The scope is complete with rings, dovetail and aluminium carry case at this amazing price.
Unlike competing models using Chinese ED glass and standard coatings the Meade 5000 series boasts the following premium specification.
PREMIUM ED GLASS: Meade uses the finest Japanese FCD1 ED (Extremely Low Dispersion) glass. This glass is created to achieve a very small change in refractive index with different wavelengths of light. This makes it the perfect choice for a fast, high performance optical design like the Series 5000 APOs.
FULLY MULTICOATED LENSES: Meade broadband multicoated lenses ensure maximum light transmission.
TRUE ED APOCHROMATIC TRIPLET: A true triplet optical design guarantees the textbook color correction you expect from a premium APO.
FULLY EXTENDABLE DEW SHIELD/SUN SHADE: An essential accessory built-in to the design for your convenience.
INDIVIDUALLY TESTED: Each premium 127mm triplet is tested optically and tuned in Europe to ensure maximum performance.
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