| As a special limited time introductory bonus, we’ll give you a $119.95 retail Astro-Tech 2” dielectric star diagonal for free when you buy this TMB-80 apochromatic refractor. The 99% reflectivity of the diagonal’s 1/10th wave accuracy nicely complements to superb optics of this TMB triplet. There’s no need to add the diagonal to your shopping cart. We’ll put your Astro-Tech 2” diagonal in with your scope automatically. This TMB Optical TMB-80 refractor has:
• 80mm f/6.3 apochromatic triplet optics using FPL-53 ED glass
• 2" dual-speed rotatable Crayford focuser
• 2" and 1.25" compression ring eyepiece holders
• retractable dew shield, dust covers, and hard case
• combined dovetail/tripod bracket for use on a photo tripod or a German equatorial mount
• sales limited to 100 scopes per year to maintain the value of your investment
• normally available from stock – with no multi-year waiting list
The TMB-80 Signature Series puts exceptionally high optical and mechanical quality in a tiny portable package. It is ideal for the serious observer who will accept nothing less than unsurpassed imaging and visual observing performance. The TMB-80 is an exceptional 15.25" long grab and go scope for observing and imaging – both within the solar system and out to the furthest reaches of infinity. Its images of subtle low-contrast lunar and planetary details are razor-sharp, with realistic and highly saturated color. Those images are free from chromatic aberration of any type, thanks to the scope’s ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) triplet optics. The latest antireflection multicoatings and knife-edge internal baffles assure the maximum image contrast possible. Image excellence is limited only by the seeing conditions, not by any aberration or short-coming in the telescope.
This Telescope’s Optical and Mechanical Systems . . . - Apochromatic triplet ED refractor optics: 3.1" (80mm) aperture, 504mm focal length, f/6.3 triplet lens using an FPL-53 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element for a sharp and flat field and images that are high in contrast and free from spurious color (chromatic aberration).
- Multicoated optics: Fully multicoated on all surfaces with the latest antireflection materials for exceptionally high light transmission and excellent contrast. Light transmission is so high that the optics seem to virtually disappear when viewed from head on.
- Internal light baffles: Contrast-enhancing knife-edge light baffles in the optical tube provide truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing stray internal reflections.
- Retractable dew shield: The self-storing retractable dew shield/lens shade slows the formation of dew on the lens to extend your undisturbed observing time. Also improves visual and photographic contrast by shielding the lens from off-axis ambient light (the neighbor’s yard light, moonlight, etc.)
- Dual-speed microfine 2" Crayford focuser: The precision-made focuser has dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with an 11:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during very high magnification visual observing, and during critical 35mm or CCD imaging. The coarse focus knobs have knurled rubber gripping surfaces, while the fine focus knob is ribbed, so all are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather.
- Rotating focuser: The anodized red ribbed locking ring on the body of the scope allows the focuser to be rotated a full 360°. This lets you rotate the focuser to line up a camera in either a landscape or portrait orientation (or any orientation in between), as well as put a star diagonal and eyepiece into the most comfortable observing position, and then temporarily lock the focuser in that position. Turn the ring to the left to loosen the focuser, and back to the right to tighten it in place again.
- Focusing scale: The 80mm (3.1") travel focuser drawtube has a scale 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 lock knob under the focuser lets you lock in your photographic focus.
- Compression ring eyepiece holders: The focuser drawtube ends in a 2" eyepiece holder that uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold a 2" star diagonal and accessories in place. The compression ring won’t scratch the barrel of your star diagonal and accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can. Also supplied is a 1.25" eyepiece holder that slips into the 2" compression ring holder 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.
- Combined equatorial dovetail/tripod adapter: The TMB-80 has a removable L-shaped dovetail mounting shoe/tripod adapter. The 1.75" wide x 2.85" long mounting shoe is sized and shaped (with slanted sides) to fit the dovetail slot on the head of many equatorial and altazimuth mounts. It will fit, without modification, Celestron Advanced Series, Meade LXD-75, and Vixen Great Polaris, Porta, and Sphinx mounts, among others.
In addition, the mounting shoe has 1/4"-20 thread mounting holes that allow it to be installed on any camera tripod that has a standard 1/4"-20 thread mounting bolt. The bracket has two tripod mounting holes to allow you to balance the weight of a camera or heavy 2" eyepieces and accessories. The front hole balances the scope for 1.25" diagonal and 1.25" eyepiece use with the lens shade extended. The rear hole balances it when a camera or a 2" diagonal and 2" eyepiece are mounted. The mounting shoe can be removed from the scope body if desired, rotated 180°, and reinstalled. This will move the balance point back further on the scope body to help balance the TMB-80 if very heavy 2" accessories are used.
Cork pads on the underside of the mounting shoe help keep the scope from swiveling when mounted on a tripod.
- Tube finish: The optical tube is finished in a durable baked-on automotive white paint with a liquid-anodized black focuser and trim and a red-anodized focuser rotation locking collar.
- Shipping/storage case: The TMB-80 comes standard in a 22.5" x 12.75" x 8" locking hard case with a carry handle for transportation and general protection purposes.
TMB Optical 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.
- Other supplied accessories: A slip-on metal dust cap is standard. A threaded hole for installing a finderscope (such as the Astro-Tech #ATF multiple reticle finder) is located on the upper left side of the scope body in front of the focuser lock ring.
- Two year warranty: As an expression of the confidence TMB Optical has in the quality of their products, the TMB-80 is protected by a two-year limited warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship (shipping case excluded).
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