Altair Wave Series 115 F7 ED Triplet APO

Product Description

The latest 2021 version of the superb 115 Triplet with many new features and a superb striking look. SFPL-53 Synthetic Fluorite lerns provides stunning results both visually and for imaging.

Newer more refined OTA design with X-Rings and ultra hard pearl matt powdercoat.
Large 3.5" CNC Rack 'n Pinion geared focuser with self-centring 2" aperture and 2" to 1.25" adaptor.
Now with a 100mm removable binoviewer extension
Carry case included

The Altair Astro 115mm F7 EDT APO is a highly specified triplet APO refractor which significantly outperforms 4 inch refractors both in resolution and light grasp, whilst still remaining virtually as portable.

The Altair 115mm F7 EDT is the ideal multi-purpose telescope platform, suited for the amateur astronomer interested in both visual and imaging use, and offering excellent performance in both areas with perfect colour correction.

This Astronomy Now Magazine review of the Altair Astro 115-805 ED Triplet APO covers the optical performance, although of course the product has evolved considerably since the time of the review in 2011.

Altair Wave Series optical test report: Wave Series optics are repeatedly tested and re-figured at the final stages of production, until signed off by the optician in charge of the production batch. The best quality Japanese glass is used, which is fully annealed and cooled over several days to relieve internal stresses. Each lens cell has a serial number engraved on the front ring. All Wave Series lenses go through a unique quality assurance process, to ensure the highest quality and lowest chromatic aberration. Altair Astro first used this approach in 2010 with the Wave Series telescopes and our optical contractors have a fully bedded-in process. The lenses are first tested on original test-plates to ensure conformance to the correct curvatures, then adjusted in both rotation, centring and spacing. Of course we start off with far superior lenses to the "normal" production quality lenses offered by most manufacturers, using the original test plates. Star tests speak for themselves, and colour aberration is not visible, as can be seen from the various observing reports and images taken with Wave Series refractors over the last 11 or so years. Blue stars show negligible bloat in long exposure images, because the blue channel is particularly well controlled, making this telescope ideal for astrophotography. Astigmatism and Coma are included in the test report output and the test is conducted in green light. Each fringe image is a "snapshot in time" of the lens on the test bench. Air currents and other environmental factors can influence the image and the outcome of the report slightly, but steps are taken to minimise these during testing. Providing a test report is a useful way for us to assure that our our internal production quality is consistent from batch-to-batch. A paper printout is included with your telescope, which corresponds with the lens serial number.

What performance improvement does the Wave Series triplet ED lens offer?
The Altair 115mm APO sports a triplet air-spaced lens cell for better colour correction than normal doublet or dual lens telescopes. This results in higher contrast, and a cleaner sharper image with less spurious colour. The combination of a triplet ED lens system with high surface accuracy and the fact that this telescope does not have a central obstruction like a reflector telescope, means that it will deliver increased contrast compared to a reflector telescope such as a Schmidt Cassegrain or Newtonian of slightly more aperture, revealing more detail. Because there are more optical surfaces and materials involved, a triplet APO triplet refractor costs more than a comparable ED doublet or "semi-APO" - as well as reflectors of similar aperture. An additional advantage is that you get a wide-field view and a high power view in one package, offering more flexibility than Cassegrain designs.

Specifications
Aperture - 115mm F805mm Focal Length
Resolution - 1.01 arc seconds
Limiting Visual Magnitude - 11.1
Highest Useful Magnification - 230x (atmospheric conditions permitting)
Air spaced ED triplet APO lens with optical test report and interferogram image
Fully multi coated on all optical surfaces for high transmission
Aluminium with white stardust paint
Retractable, lockable dew shield
CNC 2.5" Dual speed Rack 'n Pinion focuser (360 degree rotation with Teflon tipped screws)
2" to 1.25" Self-Centering Adapter
1:10 ratio micro focuser knob
Optional 60mm Deluxe right angled finder scope with illuminated reticule
CNC machined tube rings compatible with Altair TMS M6 hole spacing.
Vixen format dovetail plate
2" adapter with brass compression ring and two clamping screws
Scope Weight - approx.7.2kg including tube rings, without accessories
Scope Length 72cm with dewshield retracted, 88cm with dewshield extended

We have published an article explaining the merits of ED refractors, read about The ED Refractor Telescope.