Skywatcher Startravel-80 OTA - Rich Field Refractor 80/400 mm

Skywatcher Startravel-80 OTA - Rich Field Refractor 80/400 mm

The Skywatcher StarTravel Refractor 80/400 is an ultra compact astronomical telescope with good objective, well-suited for wide-field observations. When using adequate filters (see "recommended accessories" section), it is also suitable for lunar (item "Mondfilter") and planetary observation (item "BA2459360"). Optically this telescope is better than its price suggests!

Specification and optics are the same as the Startravel-80 (ST80), but supplied without equatorial mount/tripod (saves weight when travelling) and including a 45º erect image diagonal (necessary for the use as spotting scope).

Main advantages of the StarTravel Refractor 80/400 mm:

Very compact and lightweight - only 1.5 kg

Robust metal focuser with locking screw

Direct T2 connection

Multi-coated achromatic objective

Ideal for use as compact travel scope, telephoto lens and for astrophotography

Possible connections for eyepieces:

The telescope is supplied with a 45° Amici prism. This prism not only erects the image, but also shows it with correct left-right orientation. This is useful for terrestrial observations. The view is oblique from above, which allows a relaxed head position.

A 90° Amici prism can be used for the sky. This has similar characteristics as the 45° version, but allows observations up to the zenith. The non-mirrored image is astronomically less important, but it makes it easier to use star charts and atlases.

Usually, star diagonal mirrors provide a better image than Amici prisms. They are also suitable for zenith observations with a 90° deflection angle, but produce a mirrored image.

If you want to observe without prisms or mirrors, you will not be able to get into the focus with an eyepiece, because the optical path through the accessories is missing. Extension tubes solve this problem.

Use as telephoto lens:

With a T2 ring you can attach cameras with interchangeable lenses directly to the drawtube of the focuser after removing the camera lens. If the flange focal distance is very small, T2 extension tubes may be necessary.