Price : $679.99
Tube Assembly, 100mm ED Apochromatic Refractor, Orion (1-Box Only)39x9x9 in USA - Orion Tube Assembly - 100mm - You could pay more than $2,500 for a premium 4" refractor from one of those "boutique" telescope outfits, but here's something more practical: our 100mm ED apochromatic refractor. It's the best value in high-end portable refractors we've ever offered. -- The ED100 delivers images remarkably free of chromatic aberration, thanks to its fully multi-coated 100mm objective doublet. It's crafted with one element of FPL-53 extra-low dispersion "ED" optical glass from Japan. The 100mm aperture gives it 56% greater light grasp than our ED80. The 900mm focal length (f/9.0) is ideal for visual planetary and lunar study and also excels for imaging work. -- The baffled, 36"-long aluminum tube is outfitted with a 2" Crayford-style focuser for exceptionally smooth focusing with no backlash. It accepts both 2" and 1.25" diagonals. A molded-in dovetail base accepts any Orion finder scope. Weighs 7 lbs.
Feature Tube Assembly, 100mm ED Apochromatic Refractor, Orion (1-Box Only)39x9x9
- Includes Starry Night software and dust caps. Sold as optical tube only, accessories sold separately
- Outfitted with a 2" Crayford focuser for exceptionally smooth focusing with no backlash, and features a built-in dovetail finder scope base (finder scopes sold separately)
- The Orion ED100 is an ideal refractor telescope for capturing detailed astrophotographs of the Moon, planets, and brighter celestial objects beyond our solar system
- 100mm aperture and 900mm focal length (f/9.0) telescope is ideal for extensive planetary and lunar study
- Apochromatic refractor made with extra-low disopersion ED glass delivers images remarkably free of chromatic abberation
This review is from : Tube Assembly, 100mm ED Apochromatic Refractor, Orion (1-Box Only)39x9x9
Pinpoint starfield images with this Apo . For the price this Orion ED 100mm "Apo" is one of the best values on the market. However, this is just an optical tube assembly (OTA), with no telescope mount to go with it. There are a variety of mounts to choose from, and one that is fairly large and sturdy is typically necessity for this size OTA.
The mark of a "good" quality telescope is in the optics, transmissiveness and fully multi-coated lens. In this case, the optics are of exceptional quality as would be expected from any true apochromatic refractor. The 100mm air spaced doublet objective lens is made of specialized, extra low dispersion "ED" glass manufactured in Japan. This type of objective lens has the characteristic of eliminating color fringing of bright objectts, such the Moon, higher contrast, and much sharper looking images.
I was very impressed with Orion's ED optics and the focuser's ability to produce crystal clear, sharp star field images under average night sky "seeing" conditions.
Orion also offers a lower cost 80mm, and (much) pricier 120mm ED "Apo" OTA of the same basic design as this 100mm, with shorter/longer focal lengths and dimensions respectively. The bigger the aperature the better and more optimum viewing of the image, but the bigger and heavier the OTA. Thus, "bigger" is not necessarily PRACTICAL. All Orion ED OTAs come standard with lens caps and provisions mounting for a variety of Orion finder scopes sold separately.
For higher quality, fit and finish, Orion also offers the slightly more compact, "EON" series. The EON design is also available in 80 and 120mm "ED" OTAs, with the addition of an ultra compact, 72mm OTA. They all are finished in lustrous ebony black, truly exquisite looking, with more standard features including a extendable-retractable dual purpose shade/dew shield. EONs also have a rotatable micro focuser with 11:1 adjustable wheels, and provisioned with a tripod "anvil" mounting foot or dovetail mounting bar secured with tube rings on the 120mm OTA. The EON series also comes with a handy aluminum carrying case for each of OTA. All these things add to the cost of EONs, but the older "no frills" Orion ED OTAs are optically just as good as the EONs, without becoming budget busters.
Due to their much greater cost, apochromatic refractors are generally for used by more serious astronomer, and unquestionably better than the scopes typically sold in a department or toy store. You get what you pay for, and for telescope braggin right, almost any APO is among the most coveted refractor type telescopes.
Unfortunately, Amazon's free shipping is not offered (remember telescopes, even OTAs, are bulky, rather heavy items that normally run up shipping charges); otherwise there would be a significant savings on this item. Telescopes by their nature are "fragile" and must be well protected during shipping, so a careful inspection is essential upon delivery by mailorder.
Without something "extra" to make up for lack of free shipping, I gave this product 4 stars. I reserved a 5th star for the newer Orion EON OTA series, albeit with higher prices, however they have more useful standard features for Orion's "ED" grade refractors. Also, the EONs are far more elegant looking and "WOW" factor going for them.
Pinpoint starfield images with this Apo . For the price this Orion ED 100mm "Apo" is one of the best values on the market. However, this is just an optical tube assembly (OTA), with no telescope mount to go with it. There are a variety of mounts to choose from, and one that is fairly large and sturdy is typically necessity for this size OTA.
The mark of a "good" quality telescope is in the optics, transmissiveness and fully multi-coated lens. In this case, the optics are of exceptional quality as would be expected from any true apochromatic refractor. The 100mm air spaced doublet objective lens is made of specialized, extra low dispersion "ED" glass manufactured in Japan. This type of objective lens has the characteristic of eliminating color fringing of bright objectts, such the Moon, higher contrast, and much sharper looking images.
I was very impressed with Orion's ED optics and the focuser's ability to produce crystal clear, sharp star field images under average night sky "seeing" conditions.
Orion also offers a lower cost 80mm, and (much) pricier 120mm ED "Apo" OTA of the same basic design as this 100mm, with shorter/longer focal lengths and dimensions respectively. The bigger the aperature the better and more optimum viewing of the image, but the bigger and heavier the OTA. Thus, "bigger" is not necessarily PRACTICAL. All Orion ED OTAs come standard with lens caps and provisions mounting for a variety of Orion finder scopes sold separately.
For higher quality, fit and finish, Orion also offers the slightly more compact, "EON" series. The EON design is also available in 80 and 120mm "ED" OTAs, with the addition of an ultra compact, 72mm OTA. They all are finished in lustrous ebony black, truly exquisite looking, with more standard features including a extendable-retractable dual purpose shade/dew shield. EONs also have a rotatable micro focuser with 11:1 adjustable wheels, and provisioned with a tripod "anvil" mounting foot or dovetail mounting bar secured with tube rings on the 120mm OTA. The EON series also comes with a handy aluminum carrying case for each of OTA. All these things add to the cost of EONs, but the older "no frills" Orion ED OTAs are optically just as good as the EONs, without becoming budget busters.
Due to their much greater cost, apochromatic refractors are generally for used by more serious astronomer, and unquestionably better than the scopes typically sold in a department or toy store. You get what you pay for, and for telescope braggin right, almost any APO is among the most coveted refractor type telescopes.
Unfortunately, Amazon's free shipping is not offered (remember telescopes, even OTAs, are bulky, rather heavy items that normally run up shipping charges); otherwise there would be a significant savings on this item. Telescopes by their nature are "fragile" and must be well protected during shipping, so a careful inspection is essential upon delivery by mailorder.
Without something "extra" to make up for lack of free shipping, I gave this product 4 stars. I reserved a 5th star for the newer Orion EON OTA series, albeit with higher prices, however they have more useful standard features for Orion's "ED" grade refractors. Also, the EONs are far more elegant looking and "WOW" factor going for them.
Product Details
MPN : 9975Brand : Orion Telescope
Binding : Electronics
Manufacturer : Orion Telescope
Publisher : Orion Telescope
Studio : Orion Telescope
Where To Buy
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