Tele Vue - 102

Tele Vue - 102 Refractor.

102mm (4") Apochromatic Refractor From Tele Vue. New Tele Vue -102

Tele Vue has introduced a new 4" telescope, the Tele Vue - 102. This is a 102mm (4") f/8.6 apochromatic refractor.

The new model, an apochromatic doublet, looks similar to the current ivory Tele Vue - 101. In addition to excellent performance, it is designed to provide exceptional value. High power planetary performance will be superb, and a maximum 3º true field is available using Tele Vue's 55mm Plossl eyepiece (not included).

The telescope is supplied as a complete package. The TV-102 is available in Ivory & Black.

The Tele Vue - 102 Complete Package includes 2" Everbright diagonal, 2"-1¼" reducing adapter, mount ring, 20mm Plossl eyepiece and carrying case.

Specifications: Telescope type - 2-element apochromat refractor using special dispersion glasses Clear aperture - 102mm (4 inches) Aperture gain - 208 (compared to a 7mm exit pupil) Focal length - 880mm (34.6 inches) Focal ratio - f/8.6 Resolution (visual) - 1.1 arc-sec (Dawes limit for a 4" aperture) Resolution (photo) - 163 line pairs per mm Magnification - 10x to 250x using Tele Vue eyepieces and Barlows Focuser - 2 inch, rack and pinion type

** Specifications subject to change without notice **

Following is a few comments from well known telescope reviewer Ed Ting (www.scopereviews.com).

"This is Tele Vue's newest refractor, and one of its best designs ever. I was immediately won over by its sharp images, the simplicity of its design, its well-constructed mechanics, and the attractive price. The focuser is the same super-smooth unit found on all Tele Vue scopes. The foam-lined case is almost a work of art. You might expect the AP and Celestron baffling systems to work better than the Tele Vue's but this wasn't the case. Contrast, sky blackness, and glare were well-controlled in all three scopes. I couldn't tell any difference between them. Maybe there's something to be said for simplicity. All four members of Nu Scorpii were glimpsed at 350x in patches of good seeing, even the 0.9 arc-second pair. Like all great telescopes, the TV-102 soaks up high power with poise and composure. The slight chromatic aberration came into view only at stupid-high powers, and only when viewed immediately after the same stupid-high power view on Vega through the Traveler. In fact, this high power false colour test was the only measure in which the expensive AP could be said to have readily beaten the TV-102. In virtually all other side by side tests, I could not tell the difference. $2000+ for an optical tube is a lot of money for a telescope, but in the premium refractor world, it's a bargain. The new Tele Vue-102 combines great optics and solid mechanical construction in an attractive package. It takes its place as one of the great 4" refractors available today. It's a solid value as well. If you're in the market for a premium apochromat in this size, the TV-102 is enthusiastically recommended."

See the Sky & Telescope review of the TV-102 in the February 2001 issue (www.skypub.com) and September 2006 issue of Sky at Night.

A Personal View.

"Kieron Just a quick email to let you know that I am very happy with the Televue 102 refractor you sold me. Astronomical viewing has been very limited but I got some beautiful lunar views in the first couple of days with sharp images at magnifications up to 220x and Altair gave me a clear Airy diffraction at magnification of around 165x upwards. I've not yet had a chance of any planetary views.

Working during the day I have had no trouble resolving two printed lines with centres 0.2mm apart at a distance of over 40 metres, giving resolution at 1.0 seconds! With regard to useful magnification, my wife could not resolve these at 110x was a bit dubious at 165x but had no trouble at 220x."

Dr.John Wykes, Derby, .

"Thanks Kieron, I will probably go for the 2.5x Powermate on the 'walk before I can run' line! The detail on both the Moon and Saturn with the TV102 just defies belief, I shudder as to what a TV127 can do! Sincerely the best astro product I have bought, ever. If you want to quote me on that please feel free!" Matthew Bell