| This Astro-Tech telescope has: • 80mm f/7 fully multicoated ED refractor optics
• dual-speed rotating Crayford focuser with 11:1 ratio fine focusing
• both 2" and 1.25" brass compression ring eyepiece holders
• mounting rings with a separate Vixen-style dovetail for use on any German equatorial mount
• long-lasting white paint finish with anodized black trim
• aluminum-frame foam-fitted hard case
• two-year warranty The dual tube rings and Vixen-style dovetail and silky focusing feel of this Astronomy Technologies Astro-Tech AT80ED refractor will be the first thing you notice. The images of its outstanding ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) optics will be what you remember. Add superb mechanics to those outstanding optics, some unique features, and a low price, and this very economical telescope stands apart in an appearance and performance class all its own. The images from its 560mm f/7 ED air-spaced doublet optics are virtually color-free, even at high magnifications. At its low price, the optical performance is little short of astonishing. While we can’t claim it is a true apochromatic scope in the class of a multiple thousand dollar Takahashi, Astro-Physics, or TMB refractor, its optics are so good you’ll probably swear it is an apo. Those exceptional optics are even more impressive when you consider the package they come in. The finely-machined scope has a dual speed 2" Crayford-style focuser with a microfine 11:1 fine-focusing ratio. A simple twist of a knurled ring around the scope body lets you rotate the focuser a full 360° to put your eyepiece or camera in the most comfortable observing position. Both the 2" focuser and the supplied 1.25" eyepiece adapter use non-marring brass compression ring eyepiece holders that won’t scratch your eyepiece barrels. The Astro-Tech AT80ED has a retractable lens shade and comes in a locking aluminum-frame carrying case with room for accessories. If this Astronomy Technologies AT80ED was just another 80mm refractor, the quality of its optics alone would still make it a superb value. Add the deluxe features – like the rotating dual speed microfine focuser, dual mounting rings with a separate Vixen-style dovetail, and a hard case – and you have a scope that has no serious equal at its very affordable price. Features of this Telescope . . . - ED refractor optics: 80mm (3.1") aperture, 560mm focal length, f/7 focal ratio air-spaced doublet lens using an ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) element to reduce spurious color halos and fringing to vanishingly low levels. While we do not claim true apochromatic performance, the scope is so free from spurious color as to be virtually indistinguishable from an apochromatic system. And, as Mr. Spock probably said in one episode of Star Trek or another, “Any difference which makes no difference, is no difference."
- Multicoated optics: The objective lens has the latest state-of-the-art antireflection multicoatings on all four air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission and excellent contrast. This can easily be seen by looking into the objective lens of the scope. Virtually no reflection of your face will be seen. It’s a sure sign that the high transmission coatings are doing their job, by letting virtually all the light enter the scope, rather than reflecting some light back to your eye.
- Internal light baffles: There are contrast-enhancing knife-edge baffles in the optical tube and anti-reflection threading in the matte-black barrel of the focuser drawtube, for truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing internal reflections.
- Dew shield: A long (4") self-storing retractable dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves the contrast, similar to the effect of the lens shade on a camera lens, when observing during the day or when there is excessive ambient light at night, such as a neighbor’s backyard security light.
- Dual speed microfine 2" Crayford-style compression ring focuser with 1.25" compression ring adapter: The precision-made focuser has very smooth dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with 11:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during visual observing and critical 35mm or CCD imaging. The extra large focus knobs have ribbed gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate precisely, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather.
The focuser has a full 85mm of drawtube travel (3.35") for easy switching between visual and photographic use with no extension tubes required. There is a scale on the drawtube 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 knob under the focuser lets you adjust the drag on the focuser drawtube to accommodate differing equipment payloads. The drawtube ends in a 2" eyepiece holder that uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold a 2" star diagonal or photo accessories in place. The compression ring won’t scratch the barrel of your star diagonal and accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can.
One of those accessories might be the supplied 1.25" eyepiece adapter that slips into the 2" drawtube to let you use a 1.25" star diagonal or image erecting diagonal. Like the 2" eyepiece holder on the focuser drawtube, the 1.25" adapter also uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold 1.25" star diagonals and accessories in place. - Finderscope mounting holes: There are two holes drilled and tapped in the focuser at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions. These allow the installation of an optional red dot finder, such as the Astro-Tech #ATF illuminated multiple reticle finder, on the most comfortable side of the scope for the way you view. The holes are sealed by screws if no finder is installed, to prevent the entrance of dust into the focuser.
- Mounting rings and dovetail: The AT80ED has two hinged split mounting rings to allow you to install the scope on any of a number of telescope mount dovetail plates, such as one of those from Losmandy. The rings are drilled and tapped on the top as well as the bottom so you can mount an accessory plate on top of the AT80ED. In addition, the rings come with a removable Vixen-style dovetail plate for mounting the scope directly on an altazimuth or equatorial mount such as an Astro-Tech Voyager #ATV altazimuth, a Celestron CG-5 or Meade LXD-75 go-to equatorial, or a Vixen Porta altazimuth or Great Polaris or Sphinx equatorial. The dovetail also has a 1/4"-20 thread hole for mounting the AT80ED on any suitably sturdy photo tripod that has a standard 1/4"-20 thread mounting bolt. This allows grab-and-go astronomy as well as terrestrial observing.
- Tube finish: The optical tube is finished in a striking and durable white automobile-grade paint with anodized gloss black trim.
- Other supplied accessories: A slip-on metal dust cap is standard. A dust cap for the 1.25" eyepiece holder is also supplied.
- Shipping/storage case: The scope comes in an aluminum-frame locking hard case with carry handle. The foam interior of the case is die-cut to hold the scope, an optional 2" star diagonal, and four optional 2" eyepieces (including two oversized eyepieces such as the 2" Astro-Tech 70° field 38mm Titan Super Wide Angle).
Astro-Tech 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.
- Two year warranty: As an expression of the confidence Astronomy Technologies has in the quality of their products, the Astro-Tech AT80ED is protected by a two-year limited warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship (shipping case excluded).
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