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New in January: Taurus-Dobsons, APOs by Vixen, solar telescopes by DayStar, Atik Horizon cameras and a high-end mount by iOptron

January 12 2018, Stefan Taube

This year, too, we would like to present a small selection of items to you every month that we have recently included in the range:

  1. Taurus Dobson N 304/1500 T300 telescope

Taurus T300

Telescopes by Taurus have recently been added to our shop. The Dobson T300 with a 12-inch aperture is the first model that we would like to present to you. Other models will follow in coming days. The  Dobson T300 telescope has a wire-mesh tube, which means it’s easy to transport and can be set up without tools in just a few minutes. The entire system weighs just 15.9 kg, and the heaviest part weighs only 9.6 kg.

Unlike what you can see in the picture, the telescope does not come with a finder or an eyepiece. It does, however, come with a scattered light protector. It also comes with a high-quality 2” Crayford eyepiece holder with support.

The Dobson telescopes by Taurus are developed and made in Poland. We are pleased to be able to offer these telescopes to you now!

 

  1. Vixen AP 81/625 SD81S apochromatic refractor

Vixen SD81S

For those who prefer to take photographs, instead of exploring the night sky with their eyes alone, should make use of an apochromatic lens. The Japanese manufacture, Vixen, is offering three new models that have different lens diameters: SD81S, SD103S and SD115S.

The recently designed lens element with FPL-53 glass reduces chromatic aberrations to such an extent that they are barely detectable, ensuring an extremely clear and sharp picture! These three APOs are ideal for photography with DSLR cameras with full-format sensors.

 

  1. DayStar ST 60/930 SolarScout Carbon H-Alpha chromosphere solar telescope

DayStar SolarScout 60

The American company, DayStar, specialises in instruments for observing the sun. With the SolarScout 60, DayStar is adding another solar telescope to its SolarScout series. The telescope has an integrated QUARK H-Alpha filter.

When you buy this telescope, you are getting a finely tuned system that comprises optics, etalon filter and helical focusing with which you can enjoy observing and photographing the sun in H-Alpha light without risk!

Thanks to the light carbon tube, you can place SolarScout telescopes on a small mount. The integrated solar finder will help you to effortlessly and safely align the optics with the sun.

 

  1. Atik Horizon mono camera

Atik Horizon

This is the first camera by Atik with a CMOS sensor – the future of sensor technology. In this case, it is a 16-megapixel Panasonic MN34230. The small pixel size of 3.8 µm means high resolution and makes the camera interesting for short focal length apochromatic lenses and photo lenses. The integrated cooling system brings the camera down to 40° C below the ambient temperature. With the quiet electronics and the USB 3.0 port, the Atik Horizon is ideal for shots of weak nebulae with long exposure times.

Like the Atik Infinity, the Atik Horizon is also ideal for live stacking. This significant trend ensures more fun doing astrophotography and publicity work at observatories.

You will, of course, receive both an Atik Horizon and a colour camera. This colour variant saves you from having to use colour filters.

 

  1. iOptron CEM120 GoTo mount

iOptron CEM120

We have had good experience with the mounts by iOptron in recent years. They are long-established in the USA, and are now becoming more popular across the pond. iOptron is now putting a mount on the market that features a load capacity of over 50 kg for observatories: The CEM120 GoTo mount.

The design is reminiscent of the tried and tested CEM60 GoTo that has a load-bearing capacity of half that. The polar wedge of both mounts is supported in the centre of gravity, thereby achieving a high level of stability with low weight.

For those who are planning a garden observatory or a new acquisition for a club observatory, the CEM120 GoTo should be seriously considered. Speak to us, and we’ll be happy to advise you!

MEADE telescopes with a discount of up to 29%!

December 19 2017, Stefan Taube

We are now offering a large selection of MEADE telescopes at an extra special price!

LightBridge Dobson

LightBridge-12-Zoll

With Dobson telescopes in the LightBridge series, the grid tube structure became really popular. Thanks to the grid structure, the tube can be taken apart, i.e. you can take the telescope to a dark sky and set it up there. The main mirror in Dobson telescopes is, however, not exposed, and so it’s protected from dew.

Our offer:

 

Bracket mounting SC telescopes: LX90 and LX200

LX200-10-Zoll

MEADE is more well-known for its SC telescopes than for its Dobson models. The Schmidt-Cassegrain optics make it possible to have a very short tube with a high focal length. In combination with the bracket mounting, these optics offer astonishingly compact and sturdy full systems. The LX200 mount is fitted with computer control (GoTo).

The SC optics was further developed by MEADE: ACF stands for Advanced Coma Free – This means that you get pinpoint star images up to the edge of the field of view.

Our offer:

  • ACF-SC 254/2540 10″ UHTC LX90 GoTo currently at €2,550.00. You save €830.00.
  • ACF-SC 203/2000 8″ UHTC LX200 GoTo currently at €2,815.00. You save €735.00.
  • ACF-SC 254/2500 10″ UHTC LX200 GoTo currently at €4,009.00. You save €890.00.

 

LightSwitch: Telescopes with in-built astronomers

LS-8

Do you need a little bit more assistance? The telescopes in the LightSwitch series not only have GoTo control to find the stars, they carry out the necessary initialisation fully automatically at the start of the observation: You don’t have to enter the station, date or time; nor do you have to align the telescope to the stars in the sky. And there’s even more good news: LightSwitch telescopes have audio controls (in English).

Our offer:

  • ACF-SC 152/1524 LightSwitch 6 GoTo currently at €1798.00. You save €452.00.
  • ACF-SC 203/2000 LightSwitch 8 GoTo currently at €2120.00. You save €770.00.

 

Starlook LX600: Telescopes with autoguiders

LX600-12

The idea of equipping a telescope with a fixed camera for control reached its peak with the LX600 series. The camera is integrated into the telescope tube optics, with which the telescope remains very precisely oriented towards an object. This process, called autoguiding, is important for astrophotography.

Our offer:

  • ACF-SC 254/2032 Starlock LX600 currently at €5,609.00. You save €981.00.
  • ACF-SC 355/2845 Starlock LX600 currently at €9,120.00. You save €2080.00.

Both LX600 telescopes are assembled azimuthal. With the polar wedge they can, however, be set up parallactically for astrophotography too, with long exposure times. This wedge is also suitable for LX200 telescopes.

This offer remains while stock lasts – order now!

By the way: We don’t just do good deals; we offer the entire MEADE range, including an extensive array of accessories.

Good value set offer: Meade N 150/750 LX70 telescope

December 19 2017, Stefan Taube

The telescopes in the LX70 series by Meade have proven over many years to be good models for beginners. The basic set offered by Meade includes telescopes without motors and without pole finders.

So, we have put together a set that contains all these accessories: The Meade N 150/750 LX70 telescope set for only €699.00.

You save €279.00  compared with if you had bought all the items individually!

Meade_LX70

For this set, we opted for the Newton telescope with a 150-millimetre aperture, because we think that these optics make the ideal combination with this mount.

The LX70 telescope with Maksutov optics is over the budget of many beginners. The refractor has a very deep eyepiece for the LX70 mount. The Newton telescope with a 200-millimetre aperture  is a little heavy for the LX70 and has a relatively large leverage effect.

The N 150/750 LX70 telescope, however, is a well-matched system at a decent price! You can very easily use a camera for photographing the moon and the planets on this system. We are pleased to be able to offer the telescope as an entire package with really useful accessories at a very good price at the moment!

Sale: Beginner Telescope Bresser Messier-130 EXOS-1

December 12 2017, Stefan Taube

The Newton Telescope N 130/1000 Messier EXOS-1 von Bresser is an excellent beginners scope.  The primary mirror at 130 mm diameter allows for observations of brighter deep-sky objects, like the binary star Albireo in the constellation Cygnus, the “double-double” Epsilon Lyrae in the constellation Lyra or the famous Orion Nebula in the constellation with the same name.

Observing the Moon and planets is quite enjoyable  with the Newton, since it does not show any color distortions as a result of its build.

Bresser Messier N130

A tried and tested beginner telescope: N 130/1000 Messier EXOS-1

In combination with the EXOS-1 Mount, you can focus on an object and follow the rotation of the heavens by turning the flexible shaft.  You can even motorize the mount, as well as use a polar finder, to make using the scope a breeze and more exact.

We offer the entire set, comprised of the telescope and mount with tripod, currently for the price of only 298 Euros.  That means you save 131 Euros off of the recommended price.

Mit der EXOS-1 Montierung können Sie das Teleskop auf das gewünschte Objekt ausrichten und über Drehung an der biegsamen Welle der Himmelsrotation nachführen. Es ist auch jederzeit eine nachträgliche Motorisierung möglich, sowie die Verwendung eines Polsuchers, um dieses Nachführen bequemer und genauer zu ermöglichen!

Learn more about the Bresser Telescope N 130/1000 Messier EXOS-1 special offer below:

The set is delivered with a 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece.  Three other eyepieces are also available at special price:

That way you can get your telescope with a fitting set of eyepieces! The offer for the telescope and eyepieces is valid until the 31st December 2017 and only while supplies last.

The Apochromat VSD 100 by Vixen is now on special offer!

November 10 2017, Stefan Taube

We offer the apochromatic refractor VSD 100 by Vixen at the special prices of €5,399. You save € 600 compared with the recommended retail price! This offer ends on the 31st December 2017. Order now!

Der Astrograph VSD 100 von Vixen

The Apochromat VSD 100 is a dream for astrophotographers: With an aperture ratio of f/3.8 it is very fast. That means you only need a relatively short exposure time. That not only means that it can capture more detail in dim objects during your observation night, but that you can do without guiding and get by with a lighter mount. With the Reducer for the VSD 100 you can even obtain an aperture ratio of f/3!

The optical system of the VSD 100 comprising five lenses ensures an even field of view and reduces chromatic aberrations. That provides a sharp image right up to the edge – even with a relatively wide aperture of 100 mm!

This example shot taken on 09.01.2016 shows the comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina).

Catalina-VIXEN-VSD100

To achieve a field of view that is sufficiently large, the Reducer is mounted on the VSD 100. 25 shots with an exposure of 30 seconds each were taken with a DSLR camera and added to this overall image. Thanks to the short exposure time, neither autoguiding nor an especially precise alignment were necessary.

New from Omegon: RC Telescopes for Better Astrophotos

November 10 2017, Marcus Schenk

Are you an astrophotographer? Are you looking for an instrument for taking perfect astrophotos? In this case, you most likely may have reached the end of your search. Because there is something for you: the new Omegon RC telescopes.

The Dream Telescope for Any Astro-photographer

Almost all professional observatories use RC telescopes. Coincidence? Probably not. They produce a coma-free field of view by means of two hyperbolic mirrors. When it pans the field of view through an area full of stars, these remain sharp and round, right to the edge of the field of view. Another advantage: the large usable field of view. It is considerably bigger than any other system, like e.g. Cassegrain or Dall-Kirkham. This provides you as an astro-photographer with a higher level of freedom! Take photos even without a corrector with an APS-C sensor.

The reason for enthusiasm: These images were taken by our colleague Carlos with Omegon RC telescopes:

Advantages of the Omegon RC telescopes:

  • Hyperbolic mirrors: extremely sharp images, large field of view without correctors
  • Mirrors made of quartz (8″ and bigger): for stable focus and sharp image, no refocusing required
  • Available as full tube up to 6″-10″ or as truss tube from 12″-16″ aperture
  • High reflection: 92-94% dielectric mirror coating for bright, high-contrast observations and astro-photography
  • Quick cooling-off time due to the open design
  • High capacity electric fan (8″ and higher): minimizes tube seeing and accelerates optical cooling
  • With 2″ or 3″ eyepiece holder, depending on model

The new Omegon telescopes are the right choice for any amateur astronomer: Choose from six different instruments with apertures ranging from 6″ to 16″.

Die RC-Volltuben gibt es in den größen 6", 8" und 10"

Die RC-Truss-Teleskope für eine stationäre Sternwarte sind in den Größen 12", 14" und 16" erhältlich.

The full tubes of the RC telescopes are available with 6″, 8″ or 10″. With a Vixen style and 3″ Losmandy rail to match your mount. At the top, the tube offers ample space for other accessories, like a guiding system.

The RC truss telescopes with sizes of 12″, 14″ and 16″ are perfectly suitable for a stationary observatory.

Until recently, RC telescopes were very expensive for amateur astronomers. Now let your dream come true: a reasonably priced “professional telescope” for your own mobile or stationary observatory.

Interested? Click here to find the professional telescope for your own observatory. Or ask for a personal consultation on the phone.

By the way: If you are thinking about an own observatory with an RC telescope – why not have a look at our observatory domes. You are planning on a big scale? On request, we will organize the complete construction and accompany your project right to handing over the key.

New: Improvement to the Orion-Dobsons and the Skywatcher EQ-5, new QHY camera and apos by William Optics!

October 27 2017, Stefan Taube

We would like to present to you a small selection of items that we included in the range recently:

1.Orion Dobson telescope N 254/1200 SkyQuest XT10 PLUSOrion XT10 PLUS

Dobson telescopes with 10-inch aperture by Orion are, of course, nothing new. Orion now offers its 10-inch in an improved PLUS version.

New features:

  • Friction brake for the height axis. This enables the use of heavy eyepieces.
  • Filters for observing the sun in safety.
  • Crayford focuser with reduction for fine focusing.
  • 2″ wide-angle eyepiece and Barlow lens
  • Eyepiece tray

With the XT10 PLUS you will receive an easy-to-use telescope with small improvements for even better performance and more fun during your observation sessions!

There is also an 8-inch Dobson by Orion in this improved version: XT8 PLUS.

 

2. Skywatcher mount AZ-EQ-5-GT SynScan GoTo

The AZ-EQ-5 mount by Skywatcher is actually not new. You will receive this mount immediately with a classic tripod as you known it with other mounts. Until now, Skywatcher delivered the mount with a column where the tripod legs didn’t fit right under the mount. This tripod was very compact for carrying, but not as sturdy as the classic tripod.

The AZ-EQ-5 mount is a real all-purpose mount that can take up to 15 kg: It is very light to carry and can be operated in either equatorial or azimuthal position, so for either astrophotography or for simple observation.

The mount is, thanks to the toothed belt drive, relatively light and fitted with the latest version of the SynScan computer control system.

 

3. William Optics apochromatic refractor AP 61/360 ZenithStar 61

Are there any astrophotographers who don’t dream of an apo by William Optics? With the ZenithStar series you will receive a lens telescope in William-Optics quality at a fair price!

The small optics with an aperture ratio of f/5.9 weigh less than 1.5 kg and can be combined with a photo mount. You will receive a light, compact system for travel with which you will achieve amazing wide-angle shots of nebula regions of the Milky way – all that’s missing is the suitable flattener and a DSLR camera.

 

4. ALccd-QHY camera 9c Colour

Alccd-QHY-9c

We are constantly extending our range of cameras by ALccd-QHY. We have recently added the the 9c Colour camera. It has a Kodak KAF-8300 sensor: 8.9 megapixels with a 22.5 mm diagonal and 5.4 µm pixels.

The most important information;

  • The chip is fitted with microlenses.
  • The active cooling with a larger fan cools down the camera to 50 °C under the ambient temperature.
  • The 32 MB SDRAM buffer ensures a quiet transfer of the images.

This camera meets the high requirements of advanced astrophotographers.

New telescopes from Omegon: On the right track with Advanced X and ProDob Dobson

October 6 2017, Stefan Taube

The new Omegon telescopes are impressive instruments for any visual stargazer. With the Advanced X and ProDob Dobsonian telescopes, gazing at planets, nebulae and galaxies becomes a lot of fun. Just as with other equipment? No. Because these telescopes are in many ways a lot better than other Dobson telescopes.

Both new series are equipped with a particularly good mirror with up to 94% reflection for bright images. And with a fan which allows you to start observing even earlier.

The Dobson telescopes from Omegon consist of only two parts. Even if you have a stressful day and little time, these telescopes will provide you with many pleasant stargazing hours. Because set up only takes a few minutes, you can start stargazing almost instantaneously. And all this for a lower price than comparable models on an equatorial mount.

Omegon now offers two new Dobson series – in excellent workmanship.

Omegon Dobson telescope Advanced X

A fast telescope for easy observation of planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Excellent workmanship, consisting of only two parts and very easy to operate. Suitable for any Astro beginner, because no axes need to be aligned. A simple principle: Set up and watch.

  • Teflon pads in height and azimuth axis
  • Primary mirror with 94% mirror coating
  • Primary mirror fan
  • 2” Crayford focuser
  • 8×50 finderOmegon Dobson Teleskop Advanced X

Omegon Dobson telescope ProDob

To make sure that you always stay on track when observing!

Omegon Pro Dobson telescopes for successful stargazing nights.

The new friction system makes the exact alignment and tracking of sky objects an even simpler task. The axes run in needle bearings in azimuth and ball bearings in the height axis, instead of Teflon pads.

This allows even lighter navigation of the telescope and extremely soft following of your movements. Keep celestial objects in your field of view, even with high magnification. An unbeatable advantage! For this purpose the range of high-quality accessories includes: e.g. the Omegon SWA 32mm eyepiece. It is of a much better quality than many other eyepieces, which are normally part of the scope of delivery of other telescopes. Our customers’ reviews: “Super!”, “Simply high-class.” or “[…] just perfect and good”.

 

  • Friction system: ultra-soft and precise movement
  • Needle bearings: soft and exact movement in azimuth – even with just one finger
  • Primary mirror with 94% mirror coating
  • Primary mirror fan: quicker cooling, ready faster for stargazing
  • Red dot finder Deluxe, premium eyepiece 2” SWA 32mmOmegon Dobson Teleskop ProDob

No matter whether you’re a beginner or an advanced stargazer: With an Omegon Dobson under the dark sky, you will experience everything the universe has to offer. If you are looking for a telescope for visual observations you should buy a Omegon Advanced X or ProDob telescope.

Skywatcher AZ-5: The new azimuthal mount for small optics

September 29 2017, Stefan Taube

A small all-around mount for nature observations and star gazing. It does not always have to be the biggest telescope, many times you just want to have a glance at the Moon, planets or the Milky Way. For this purpose, the new mount AZ-5 Deluxe from Skywatcher is just ideal!

Skywatcher Montierung AZ-5 Deluxe mit Stativ

This mount is able to carry optics of up to five kilogrammes, whereby the standardised prism rail connection also accepts telescopes from manufacturers other than Skywatcher. With an optionally available L-holder one can also connect binoculars or a spotting scope with a camera screw.

The AZ-5 Deluxe is equipped with a friction clutch for quick adjustment of the desired object: Simply apply slight pressure to the tube to move the optics to the right direction. Sensitive fine tuning and tracking is then accomplished via two flexible shafts. The mount and optics rest on a sturdy aluminium tripod.

The mount can also be used for nature observations. The fork arm can be adjusted in various positions, so that looking down into a valley is also possible.

Skywatcher also offers the AZ-5 Deluxe in a set with different optics. We would like to briefly introduce these sets:

Explorer_130

The Explorer-130PS AZ-5 is a Newton telescope. Telescopes of this design offer the largest aperture for your money. They gather more light from faint star clusters and galaxies than other telescopes of the same price range.

This telescope in combination with the mount is well suited for beginners who would just like to watch, but not take any photos, and who are looking for a simple instrument for occasional observing sessions on the balcony.

Startravel-102

The name Startravel-102 AZ-5 stands for an achromatic refractor. This optical system is slightly more expensive than the Newton, but has some advantages. The refractor provides sharper images, because it has no secondary mirror in the optical path.

Even experienced stargazers may have lots of fun with this instrument, because it is very quickly set up for use and then enables the observation of large sky fields (“Rich field”) and comets. Equipped with a 45°-Amici-Prism, it is well suited for nature observations.

Skymax-127

The Maksutov Skymax-127 AZ-5 has been a very popular instrument for many years. With its large focal length, it brings the Moon, planets or other objects very close, even on a bright day, with sharp contours.

In combination with a motorised mount, this telescope’s optics are highly suitable for photographic purposes. Looking at it this way, the set Skymax-127 AZ-5 is an investment in the future or a supplement, if you already have an astronomical mount, but would additionally like to have a light AZ-mount and Maksutov optics.

 

 

Summer campaign: Celestron CGE Pro telescopes for particularly reasonable prices!

September 8 2017, Stefan Taube

Now is a good time to get prepared for the dark season: Celestron CGE Pro telescopes are now available with 20% discount!

CGEPro1400The CGE Pro is the most powerful mount from Celestron. It is able to carry the large 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics or the RASA astrograph without any strain. However, with its sturdy tripod, this mount is still suitable for mobile use.

Choose your CGE Pro telescope:

You already have a large telescope? No problem, we currently also offer the CGE Pro mount without optics for a very favourable price!

This offer ends on the 30th of September 2017. Order now!