Our newest "ED" refractor was designed with the astro-imager in mind. Outstanding 102mm optics, heavy-duty Crayford-style focuser, and superb fit and finish combine to set a new standard for quality and performance. The Premium 102mm ED has a 714mm focal length and a moderately fast focal ratio of f/7.0, delivering higher magnification and bright, high-contrast images with modest exposure times. Its fully multicoated, air-spaced 102mm doublet objective has one element made from extra-low dispersion (ED) optical glass for shade. The machined aluminum 2" Crayford-style focuser provides ultra-smooth dual speed focusing. It handles heavy cameras and accessories and rotates for optimal camera positioning. Includes metal tube rings and an 8" long dovetail mounting plate for attachment to most Orion EQ mounts. Also includes dovetail base 7214 for an Orion finder scope (finder scope not included).

The 102mm f/7 telescope from Explore Scientific is an air-spaced triplet ED APO refractor that utilizes Hoya ED glass. The telescope is equipped with a 99% dielectric-coated 2-inch diagonal as well as a 8x50 viewfinder making it easy to search for celestial objects. A case with a foam insert is also included with the telescope.

The Skywatcher ED-APO refractors provide the finest images obtainable-bar none-in their design class. If you are on a quest for the ultimate in pristine, near textbook-perfect astronomical imaging, look no further. Skywatcher ED-APO refractors deliver dramatic coal-back skies and faithful, contrast-rich views of planetary and deep-space phenomenon that are second to none. Skywatcher ED-APO refractors are the logical choice as an investment in advanced instrumentation for exceptional viewing or photography. The Skywatcher ED-APO design assures virtual elimination of secondary, residual "false color" normally present in 2-element achromatic lens designs using Crown and Flint glass. Skywatcher APO refractors utilize a second lens element made from the mineral fluorite instead of Flint glass. Fluorite, CaF2, is a halide with unique properties and a hardness of only four. It is an exotic and difficult material to fabricate into a lens. Hence the cost of manufacturing a fluorite lens is quite high compared to a Flint lens element, for instance. Fluorite's molecular properties have several distinct advantages. First, it has superior dispersion characteristics compared to pure silica-based glass. It functions as a high-index lens with very low dispersion. The term ED to signifies "Extra-low Dispersion". Fluorite also corrects well for spherical aberration. Skywatcher utilizes only the very finest available fluorite lens, FPL-53.

The Explore Scientific 152mm f/4.8 is a rich field telescope (RFT), capable of showing faint objects over a wide field of view (generally two degrees or more). Explore Scientific has co-designed a Maksutov-Newtonian telescope with comet hunter and author David Levy that can help support the Sharing the Sky Foundation through the sale of this telescope. The Comet Hunter comes standard with a two-inch, 30mm focal length eyepiece with a wide 70° apparent field. This eyepiece combined with the short focal length of the telescope produce an amazing 2.86 ° true field of view with a 6.2mm exit pupil. Each Comet Hunter special edition telescope will come with a certificate signed by David Levy.

The latest model in Meade's popular ETX line, the ETX105EC with premium Ultra High Transmission optical coatings (UHTC), is one sweet portable package. The included Autostar controller delivers excellent tracking and pointing. The #884 Tripod combined with the aluminum frame and ball-bearing chassis delivers vibration-free viewing. And the optics are simply the best I've ever seen in a small Maksutov-Cassegrain or Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

Although Meade recommends the UHTC coatings package for improved brightness, I find the improved contrast is much more impressive. I compared the ETX105EC, at 4.13 inches of aperture, side by side with my 5 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain. The view of Saturn at 200X magnification in both telescopes was nearly identical. The Cassini division in Saturn's rings was obvious, and I could see 5 moons around Saturn with both scopes. The inner moons Tethys and Dione were easier to spot with the larger SCT. The ETX105EC with UHTC, however, was the clear winner on contrast and color. The UHTC coatings simply eliminated much of the scattered light that robs contrast from the views in my SCT. Saturn's equatorial belt was the same apricot color in the 4 inch ETX that I see in much larger scopes. When I looked at Jupiter with the ETX105EC, the pale orange-tan color of the famous Great Red Spot was plainly visible.

The Autostar controller delivers excellent pointing accuracy. My usual set-up starts with centering Polaris in the scope, then leveling the optical tube. This automatically sets the telescope's "home position" within one degree of true North and level. After a careful setup the other night, the "easy align" routine put the first alignment star, Rigel, inside the field of view. And the second star, Procyon, was just outside the edge of the field. Easy as can be. (Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson will introduce you to these brighter stars by name.) Even w

The Vixen VMC110L, a 110 mm (4.33 inch) aperture modified Cassegrain f/9.4 optical tube. Its features include a curved vane secondary mirror spider to reduce diffraction effects, and a correcting meniscus lens just ahead of the Secondary Mirror as its larger cousins the VMC200L and VMC260L incorporate. The Skypod is a unique portable alt-azimuth computer controlled "Go To" mount that evolved from the very successful Vixen Sphinx mount. The Skypod incorporates a compact computer controlled Alt-Az system that automatically slews the telescope from one object to another. The 22,000 plus object data base provides an endless variety of objects to view and is upgradeable.This new and portable GoTo travel mount uses the modified Starbook S hand controller that offers the same practical user concept of the Sphinx controller. A display shows a map of the sky so that you always know where you are. The controller is integrated into the mount. You can take it off for remote control, but you can always put it back for save storage and transport. This means that for transport you can avoid all the separate small parts that are otherwise easily lost.Because the Skypod it is based on Vixens flexible mounting system, a wide variety of telescopes will easily and quickly attach to this mount. Skypod provides good portability combined with ease of use and versatility. You can store the mount and the telescope separately. For airline traveling you can take the VMC110L along as carry-on luggage while the mount goes with the rest of your luggage.

Astro Blue GPS Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial Dual Mount "The Cube"...The SmartStar-A comes with the patented Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial,...The Cube. This compact mount design is probably the most functional and flexible unit on the marketBoth axis motors are built into a small single unit which is universally compatible with all telescopes using dove-tail connections. The mount can be level for Alt-Azimuth or locked into position for German EquatorialAlso, there are no "dead spots" so you can point your telescope to ANYWHERE above the horizonThis mount also comes standard with AC connection. An optional DC adaptor is available so you can plug your telescope motor into your car if you're camping or at any remote locationOTA's with dovetail connection & a weight limit of less than 11 lbs.(including finder scope & camera) are compatible with the SmartStarTM-A GPS AltAzi-EQ Dual Mount(If you do not have a dovetail connection, attach OTA using mounting rings & dovetail made by the OTA manufacturer) The most easy to understand controller on the marketThe GoToNova Controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has the largest LCD screen on the market with 8 lines of content compared with others that only have 2 lines. Using the easy-to-use hand controller, you can easily set up your tele scope & select wher

The R130Sf 5” Newtonian telescope comes standard with the 6 x30 finder and dovetail tube plate that attaches quickly to the Porta II Mount. It’s the perfect medium aperture, pick up and go package. The PORTA II gives great performance when viewing objects at high magnification, the damping and vibration being significantly reduced as compared to other lesser quality telescope mounts.

The Skywatcher SW 102AR AZ4S 102mm Manual Refractor Telescope features "grab-in-go" design which makes it the logical companion to take with you for casual observing of land or sky at a moment's notice. Its ability to knock your socks off while viewing solar system favorites like Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon is a testament to the remarkable high contrast and richness of detail this instrument delivers to your eye. View distant terrestrial detail close up and personal including landmarks, animals and people. The Skywatcher 102AR 2-element, color corrected achromatic lense is fabricated to the highest optical standards from Grade-A Crown & Flint optical glass. Each lens set is individually pitch-polished and hand figured by a master optician ensuring premium optical performance. Each lens system is air-spaced with high transmission optical coatings. The Skywatcher 102AR-AZ4S offers 62% more light gathering than a smaller 80mm lens, this telescope excels at every astronomical and terrestrial endeavor. Jupiter's bands reveal ripples, whirlpools and discontinuities; the Moon shows additional crater detail, rills, fault lines, etc. that are simply indiscernible with smaller aperture scopes; deep-space objects start to display their essential structure like the beehive of stars surrounding the core of the globular cluster M13; emission nebulae exhibit extensions of glowing gases and dust filaments far from the central area of luminosity, plus the characteristic shape

The Vixen ED 100Sf APO refractor features high-grade glass and quality components. Coupled with a medium f/9.0 focal ratio, the ED "S" series provide a sharp, color-free image of high contrast. For the astronomer that wants the best value for the dollar in a 4" APO, this is the one to buy. Apochromatic refractors from Vixen have extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses that depress residual aberration to achieve a high level of performance. The ED100Sf features a Crayford focuser for smooth operation without backlash. Performs nicely on the Porta Mount for visual observing or as a travel scope, or mount the OTA to a larger telescope for use as a guidescope.