Altair 102ED F11 Starwave ASCENT Refractor Telescope

Further details

A long awaited optical design for serious visual observers, the long focus refractor has always been a favourite but until now they have always been made with standard achromat optics. The new Ascent F11 ED boasts true extra low dispersion glass for the best possible corrections and optical performance in its class. See very fine detail on the Moon and Planets that would be impossible in a lesser design. It is not just the optics that are innovative, the mechanics are superb, a split tube allowing binoviewers, a dual speed focuser for precise control, CNC tube rings and a retractable dew shield. A premium telescope for serious visual astronomy at a remarkable price.

The ASCENT 102mm F11 ED Doublet refractor optical tube is optimised for detailed observation and imaging of the Moon and Planets, with a quality 4 inch aperture it can still show deep sky objects well. An evolution of the well respected "Red Tube Classic" Starwave 102 Achromat, now with ED optics and improved mechanics.

The result is improved colour correction and contrast thanks to the latest generation of affordable ED optics and anti-reflection coatings. It a geared focuser replaces the original Crayford style focuser allowing for heavier accessories, and the tube can be broken down offering 270mm of backfocus for binoviewing.

The ASCENT 102mm F11 ED is particularly effective for visual observation of planets, the moon and double stars and it copes with turbulent air (seeing) extremely well due to it's long focal length. It is also a very capable solar imaging telescope (with the appropriate filter) for white light (with the Altair Solar Wedge), and of course Hydrogen Alpha. It is easy to focus due to the extended depth of field and gives extremely sharp images. The long focal ratio minimises eyepiece aberrations, resulting an extremely flat field of view. Binoviweing is easy - just detach the focuser and unscrew the mid-section, then screw the focuser back into the tube. No tools are required to break the scope down for travel.

ED optics with geared focuser
The machined and powdercoated aluminium tube can be broken down into two parts for easier transport, binoviewing or solar PST Mods which require a shorter tube.
Proper Dual Speed Geared focuser with micro focusing (essential for fine detail).
The 2" pushfit adapter has 3x thumbscrews and a brass compression ring. Diagonal barrels aren't marred, eyepieces and binoviewers or heavy Ha solar filters are firmly held and aligned.
Flat field and superbly high contrast with easy focusing make this an ideal visual telescope.

Included in the box
Starwave 102mm F11 ED Doublet Objective, with full multicoatings on all surfaces in a collimatable lens cell with QC serial number. Guaranteed to arrive in perfect collimation.
2.5" Dual Speed Geared focuser with 1:10 ratio fine-focusing knob.
Rear 2" pushfit adapter with 3x thumbscrews and inner compression ring.
2"-1.25" Push-Fit Adapter with non-marring brass compression ring.
Optional 9x50 finder with metal body and front focusing lens. Metal mounting stalk is able to attach direct to the optical tube (screws provided) or with the Altair Universal Quick Release Finder Bracket (code: UNIFBR-QRB). High quality 23mm wide field eyepiece with laser etched, independently focusing reticule. (Not the usual fare on finder scopes).
Front push-fit metal dust cap, rear plastic plug style dust cap.
Genuine CNC machined tube rings, fully adjustable for balance and rotation.
Metal dovetail plate so you can use the scope with just about any telescope mount including iOptron, Skywatcher.
Metal dewshield 200mm length, 121mm diameter, retractable, can be unscrewed for lens cleaning.
The optical tube is 100cm length and weighs about 4.6kg.
The removable Binoviewer section is 120mm length therefore total tube length is 88cm when removed.
Backfocus is 150mm from rear end of focuser to image plane. (270mm backfocus to the image plane if Binoviewer tube is removed).

The ED advantage.
When compared to Achromatic refractors of similar size, length and focal ratio, the Starwave 102ED offers better geared mechanics for easier focusing, and truer colour rendition thanks to the ED optics. The Starwave 102 ED delivers a sharp "contrasty" image with good colour correction and tight star images. The 80mm aperture gathers about 63% more light than an 80mm refractor and the brighter image shows more detail. With a higher power eyepiece or Barlow lens, this telescope will show details withing the planetary disc of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot, cloud bands of different sizes and textures, as well as the four largest Galilean moons and their shadows cast on Jupiter. The contrast is very good enabling you to see a jovian moon against the brightly lit background of Jupiter. Saturn's rings and Cassini division are easy to see at higher magnifications and cloud bands are visible on Saturn as well as the polar caps. Mars shows surface features and polar caps easily. Thousands of craters are visible on the moon - enough for a lifetime of observation. Customers often reported the previous "Classic Red" Achromatic version of this telescope outperformed reflectors of 6 and 8" on planets and the moon in contrast and suble detail. The ED version improves on the "Classic Red" version both optically and mechanically with a modest price increase.

The convenience of a refractor.
This is the perfect scope to take out and just observe with. It cools down fast thanks to the aluminium tube and long focal length doublet objective design. Unlike reflectors, the optics do not require frequent collimation (alignment) before use, so the product is virtually maintenance free aside from the usual yearly cleaning of the lens.

Daytime viewing.
By adding an optional image-erecting prism diagonal, the Starwave becomes a real performer when it comes to terrestrial and nautical observation, offering performance in the same category as ED spotting scopes costing many times the price. Simply increase the brightness on the Red Dot Finder and you can use the scope with pinpoint accuracy during daytime.

Mount choices:
We recommend the Skywatcher EQ5 with motor drive for solar system imaging as a minimum, but the manual version of the EQ5 mount is more than adequate for visual planetary observation and you can add a motor drive later. If you prefer an electronic gadget-free experience, the Altair Sabre mount for visual observing, which requires no power. Please contact us for recommendations based on your intended observing style.

Starwave ASCENT 102ED F11 technical specifications:
Optical Design: Fully Multicoated ED Doublet lens in collimatable cell
Aperture (mm): 102 mm (4")
Focal Length: 1122 mm
Focal Ratio: F11 (F8.8 with 0.8x reducer)
Optional Finderscope: 9x50 focusing objective (206.6mm focal length). Finderscope Eyepiece: 23mm focal length with laser etched reticule, independent focusing for eyeglass users.
Highest Useful Magnification: 200 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13
Resolution (Dawes): 1.14 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): 212 x approx. (7mm pupil)
Optical Tube Length: 100cm / I metre
Optical Tube Weight: 4.6kg Approx.

Delivery charge £5.95

Reviews

  Great telescope  Only used the telescope a couple of times but nice sharp pinpoint stars and cleanly split doubles even in a bit of wind. Also good for deep sky, the dumbell nebula looked great floating against a dark crisp background. Robustly made but Not too heavy.  (08/06/2021) Terry - Seaford