The AT130EDX is the next evolution of instruments from Astro-Tech. The instrument quality is what you come to expect from an Astro-Tech with an eye on optical and mechanical performance, as well as value. It can be a hard balance to strike, but we try with every product we sell. The AT130EDX is no different.
This new Astro-Tech AT130EDX refractor has:
- 130mm f/7 fully multicoated triplet apochromatic optics using an FCD100 ED center element, and one of the mating elements is lanthanum.
- a dual-speed 3.7" rack-and-pinion focuser with 10:1 ratio fine focusing
- cordura nylon style carrying case
- 3.7" rotatable focuser
- a camera angle adjuster
- retractable lens shade/dew shield
- dual hinged split tube rings with a Losmandy-style dovetail and Vixen-style carry handle
- 100mm removable section to assist with binoviewing
This is truly the golden age of astronomy. Gone are the days where you have to spend big dollars on 130mm-range apo scopes that can cost up to $6500 and more. Now that level of performance is within reach at a fraction of the price. The EDX series is not a compromise in any term and will please even the most discerning astronomer.
The Astro-Tech AT130EDX triplet optics, FCD100 ED glass center element, and state-of-the-art optical multicoatings are even more impressive when you consider the package they come in. The finely-machined scope has a dual-speed 3.7" rack-and-pinion focuser with a microfine 10:1 fine-focusing ratio. The focuser can rotate a full 360° to put your camera or eyepiece in the most comfortable observing position. In addition, a built-in camera angle adjuster lets you fine-tune the composition of your astrophotos. The supplied 2" and 1.25" eyepiece holders use non-marring compression rings that won't scratch your eyepiece barrels.We thought about what astronomers desired in their instruments and then went about trying to produce it.This feature-laden 130mm Astro-Tech EDX triplet apochromatic refractor offers optical and mechanical performance that will leave you satisfied night after night.
Features of this Telescope . . .
ED apochromatic triplet refractor optics: 130mm (5.12") aperture, 910mm focal length, f/7 focal ratio. It uses an FCD100 ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) center element as well as one of the two mating elements is lanthanum. This combination produces a true apochromatic telescope free of spurious color halos. All three lens elements are slow-polished for smooth surfaces, with less scattered light. We also spec the EDX series to have a .95 or higher strehl ratio giving you essentially a perfect optic.
Fully multicoated optics: The triplet objective lens has the latest state-of-the-art antireflection multicoatings on all air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission and excellent contrast. This can easily be seen by looking into the objective lens of the scope. Virtually no reflection of your face will be seen. It's a sure sign that the high transmission coatings are doing their job, by letting virtually all the light enter the scope, rather than reflecting some light back to your eye.
Internal light baffles: Contrast-enhancing knife-edge light baffles in the 140mm diameter optical tube provide truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. The edges of the lenses are blackened to reduce internal reflections and further improve image contrast.
Dew shield: A self-storing retractable dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves the contrast, similar to the effect of the lens shade on a camera lens, when observing during the day or when there is excessive ambient light at night, such as from a neighbor's backyard security light.
Dual speed 3.7" rack-and-pinion 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 a 10:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during high magnification visual observing and critical imaging. The focuser also has a payload capacity of 15 pounds, so even the heaviest load will not be an issue.
The focus knobs have ribbed gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. The focuser has 100mm of travel as well as a millimeter scale on the drawtube to let you return to an approximate focus when switching between visual and photographic setups. A lock knob under the focuser lets you lock in your photographic focus.
The 3.7" focuser can be rotated a full 360° 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. Simply loosen the knob on the top of the focuser housing, rotate the focuser to whatever angle is most convenient for you, and then tighten the knob to lock the focuser at the desired angle.
Built-in camera angle adjuster: In addition to the entire focuser rotating, the focuser drawtube's 2" eyepiece/accessory holder includes a built-in camera angle adjuster that lets you quickly make final small adjustment tweaks to the angle of your camera or star diagonal without having to disturb the heavier focuser proper.
A knob on the 2" eyepiece/accessory holder lets you unlock the accessory holder, rotate it to the desired final angle, then lock it in place at whatever angle is most convenient for you. Many observers will find this camera angle adjuster to be even more convenient that the focuser rotation system and will use this method of adjusting the viewing angle exclusively.
Compression ring eyepiece holders: The focuser's 3.7" drawtube terminates in a 2" eyepiece holder that uses a non-marring compression ring to hold a 2" star diagonal and/or accessories in place. The compression ring won't scratch the barrel of your star diagonal and accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can.
A supplied 1.25" accessory adapter slips into the 2" eyepiece holder to let you use a 1.25" star diagonal, image erecting diagonal, or photographic accessories. Like the 2" eyepiece holder, the 1.25" adapter also uses a non-marring compression ring to hold 1.25" star diagonals and accessories in place.
Threaded connections: People have asked for a variety of options, so this scope has an M92x1 female thread as well as an M68x1 female on the focuser body.
Optical tube (size subject to change): The 32.4" long optical tube and focuser (37.5" long with lens shade extended) are finished in a durable white powder coated finish, with grey anodized trim. There are two finderscope mounting shoes that accepts Vixen-style finderscope mounting brackets. A slip-on metal dust cap is standard, as is a dust seal for the eyepiece holder.
Tube rings and dovetail: Dual split hinged tube rings are supplied for the 140mm o. d. optical tube. The rings are lined with white felt that will not stain the white finish of the scope over time. A Losmandy-style dovetail is bolted to the bottom of the tube rings. The AT130EDX also comes with a handle on the top of the tube rings to help with carrying and mounting the optical tube.
