TMB Optical Telescopes

More Information  · Recommended Accessories  · Images of Some Features Price $1,999.00 Shipping $29.95 Highest Useful Magnification 204x Visual Limiting Magnitude 12.3 Focal Length 510mm Focal Ratio f/5.5 Resolution 1.26 arc seconds Aperture 3.6" Net Weight 8.5 lbs. Warranty 2 years

• 92mm f/5.5 apochromatic triplet optics using FPL-53 ED glass
• collimatable lens cell for peak imaging and optical performance
• 3" dual-speed Feather Touch rack and pinion focuser
• ultra-short 13.25" length for travelling
• rotating eyepiece holder for quick camera/eyepiece orientation
• 2" and 1.25" compression ring eyepiece holders
• retractable dew shield, dust covers, and hard case
• sales limited to 100 scopes per year to maintain the value of your investment
• normally available from stock – with no multi-year waiting list

    The TMB-92 Signature Series 92mm f/5.5 triplet apo is a very compact refractor for the serious observer and traveler. Measuring only about 13.25" long with the focuser and dewshield retracted for storage and travel, the TMB-92 optically and mechanically fills the void left by the discontinued 90mm Astro-Physics Stowaway (a legendary scope that sells for up to $6000 on the used market).

    The TMB-92 puts exceptionally high optical and mechanical quality in a truly tiny package. It is ideal for the serious observer who will accept nothing less than unsurpassed imaging and visual observing performance in a supremely portable body you can take with you anywhere in the world.

    The TMB-92 is an exceptional grab and go scope for observing and imaging – both within the solar system and out to the furthest reaches of infinity. Its images of subtle low-contrast lunar and planetary details are razor-sharp, with realistic and highly saturated color. Those images are free from chromatic aberration of any type, thanks to the ED (Extra-low Dispersion FPL-53 glass) element in the scope’s triplet optics.

    The latest antireflection multicoatings and knife-edge internal baffles assure the maximum image contrast possible. Image excellence is limited only by the seeing conditions, not by any aberration or short-coming in the telescope.

    How does the TMB-92 perform in the real world? A customer emailed to tell us “I have a 92 from the first batch. Visual performance defies the laws of physics." While we can’t claim that the TMB-92 really does defy the laws of physics, that kind of comment is typical of the enthusiastic response the TMB-92 has be generating among knowledgeable astronomers.

This Telescope’s Optical and Mechanical Systems . . .

• Apochromatic triplet ED refractor optics: 3.6" (92mm) aperture, 510mm focal length, f/5.5 triplet lens. It uses an FPL-53 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element for a sharp and flat field and images that are high in contrast and free from spurious color (chromatic aberration).

• Multicoated optics: Fully multicoated on all surfaces with the latest antireflection materials for exceptionally high light transmission and excellent contrast. Light transmission is so high that the optics seem to virtually disappear when viewed from head on.

• Collimatable lens cell: The lens cell has three sets of push/pull collimating screws that will let you tweak the optical collimation after rough handling or extensive travel. This assures that optimum visual and photographic performance is only a few moments away.

• Internal light baffles: Contrast-enhancing knife-edge light baffles in the optical tube and focuser provide truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing stray internal reflections.

• Retractable dew shield: The self-storing retractable dew shield/lens shade slows the formation of dew on the lens to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves visual and photographic contrast by shielding the lens from off-axis ambient light (the neighbor’s yard light, moonlight, etc.)

• Dual-speed microfine #3025 3" Feather Touch rack and pinion focuser: The precision-made 3" diameter drawtube non-vignetting focuser is a genuine Feather Touch from Starlight Instruments, a company known world-wide for making the finest and most reliable focusers available to the amateur astronomer. The focuser has dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with a 10:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during very high magnification visual observing, and during critical 35mm or CCD imaging. All focus knobs are ribbed, so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. Multiple internal baffles in the focuser drawtube assure high contrast.

• Rotating eyepiece holder: The entire focuser can be rotated a full 360° without disturbing the focuser drawtube position. This lets you rotate the eyepiece/accessory holder to line up a camera in either a landscape or portrait orientation (or any orientation in between) without disturbing the focus, as well as put a star diagonal and eyepiece into the most comfortable observing position. Three large locking knobs on the focuser body let you temporarily lock your camera or accessories in the desired orientation, then change that orientation with a simple twist of the wrist.

• Focusing scale: The 65mm (2.65") travel focuser drawtube has a scale marked in 1mm increments so you can note individual focuser positions for easy return to the correct focus when switching between visual use and photography. A large lock knob on top of the focuser lets you lock in your photographic focus.

• Extension tube: The minimum length of the TMB-92 is 13.25" with the dew shield and focuser retracted for traveling and for long equipment train CCD imaging. A supplied 2" extension tube can be threaded between the optical tube and focuser body to combine with the focuser travel to provide the proper back focus for visual use and 35mm/webcam/Deep Sky Imager type astrophotography. When the extension tube is not used, the available back focus allows you to reach focus with virtually any combination of photographic accessories (CCD camera, filter wheel, electric focuser, adaptive optics system, etc.). When the supplied 2.7" diameter by 2" long extension tube is threaded into place between the focuser and the optical tube, the maximum overall scope length is increased to 20.5", the proper length to achieve visual focus with a star diagonal and eyepiece.

• Compression ring eyepiece holders: The focuser drawtube ends in a 2" eyepiece holder that uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold a 2" star diagonal and accessories in place. The compression ring won’t scratch the barrel of your star diagonal and accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can. Also supplied is a 1.25" eyepiece holder that slips into the 2" compression ring holder to let you use a 1.25" star diagonal or image erecting diagonal. Like the 2" eyepiece holder on the eyepiece holder rotation mechanism, the 1.25" adapter also uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold 1.25" star diagonals and accessories in place. The 2" accessory holder can be removed from the drawtube to allow the installation of custom A-P type photo accessories available directly from Starlight Instruments.

• Tube finish: The 114mm o.d. optical tube is finished in a durable baked-on automotive white paint with a black-anodized focuser and trim.

• Shipping/storage case: The TMB-92 comes standard in an aluminum frame 22.25" x 12.75" x 8" locking hard case with a carry handle for transportation and general protection purposes.
      TMB Optical is one of the very few manufacturers to provide a case at no charge for protection during shipping and as a storage convenience when the scope is not in use. Unfortunately, FedEx, UPS, and the Postal Service are very good at treating packages roughly. Occasionally, your scope can arrive in perfect condition, but with the walls of the shipping case dented in transit from rough handling, or the aluminum frame sprung, rendering the appearance of the case less than pristine. Damage to the shipping case in such instances is not covered by warranty.

• Other supplied accessories: A slip-on metal dust cap is standard. Threaded holes for installing a finderscope bracket are located on the upper right side of the focuser body.

• Two year warranty: As an expression of the confidence TMB Optical has in the quality of their products, the TMB-92 is protected by a two-year limited warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship (shipping case excluded).