{"product_id":"takahashi-starbase-80-80mm-f-10-achromatic-refractor-with-alt-az-mount-and-tripod","title":"Takahashi Starbase 80 80mm f\/10 Achromatic Refractor with Alt-Az Mount and Tripod","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Starbase 80 is Takahashi's entry-level telescope and a complete observing outfit rather than an optical tube. It is an 80 mm f\/10 achromatic doublet refractor at 800 mm focal length, supplied with an alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls, an adjustable tripod, a star diagonal, and two orthoscopic eyepieces at 6 mm and 14 mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is made in Japan under contract to Takahashi at a factory in Hanamaki. From lens coating to final assembly, every step is carried out there by the factory's craftsmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you want a complete, ready-to-observe refractor with Takahashi's build behind it — particularly for the Moon, planets and double stars, which is where an f\/10 achromat is at its best. Everything needed for a first night is in the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80 mm f\/10 achromatic doublet:\u003c\/strong\u003e 800 mm focal length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete outfit:\u003c\/strong\u003e alt-azimuth mount, tripod, star diagonal and two eyepieces included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6 mm and 14 mm orthoscopic eyepieces:\u003c\/strong\u003e roughly 133x and 57x on this telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlt-azimuth mount with slow motion controls:\u003c\/strong\u003e intuitive up-down, left-right movement with fine adjustment for tracking by hand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.25″ single-speed rack-and-pinion focuser.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in Japan:\u003c\/strong\u003e built at Hanamaki under contract to Takahashi.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn f\/10 achromatic doublet is a deliberate choice rather than a compromise. Achromats show some colour fringing on bright objects, and the amount depends strongly on focal ratio — a fast achromat shows a great deal, a slow one very little. At f\/10 the 80 mm objective is slow enough that false colour is well controlled on the Moon and planets, which is what this telescope is built for. The trade is a longer tube and a narrower field than a fast apochromat would give.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe two supplied orthoscopic eyepieces suit the same intent. Orthoscopics have a modest apparent field but excellent contrast and sharpness on axis, which is exactly the priority for lunar and planetary observing. At 800 mm, the 14 mm gives about 57x for general viewing and the 6 mm about 133x for close-up work — a sensible pair to start with.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVisual observing of the Moon, planets, double stars and brighter deep-sky objects. Its size and the alt-azimuth mount also make it straightforward to carry outside and set up quickly, and it works for terrestrial viewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe focuser takes 1.25″ eyepieces, so the whole standard 1.25″ range works with it, including Takahashi's own TPL Plössl and Starbase orthoscopic eyepieces — both of which we stock if you want to extend the magnification range beyond the two supplied. A 6x30 finder and bracket are available separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mount is alt-azimuth, which moves in altitude and azimuth rather than following the sky's rotation on one axis. That suits visual observing well; for long-exposure astrophotography an equatorial mount is the usual requirement, and we can talk that through if imaging is where you are heading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for visual observing:\u003c\/strong\u003e the alt-azimuth mount and f\/10 achromatic optics are aimed at the eye rather than a camera. Short exposures of the Moon are within reach; long-exposure deep-sky imaging asks for a different setup, and we can point you at one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome colour fringing on the brightest objects:\u003c\/strong\u003e that is inherent to an achromatic doublet, and f\/10 keeps it modest — on the Moon and planets, which is this telescope's purpose, it is well controlled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo case included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEverything needed to observe is in the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e mount, tripod, diagonal and two eyepieces, so there is nothing else to buy before the first night.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — the tripod legs adjust, the mount head takes the tube, and the alt-azimuth movement is the intuitive kind: up-down and left-right, with slow-motion controls for fine adjustment. There is no polar alignment to perform.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 80 mm optical tube, alt-azimuth mount, tripod, star diagonal, and 6 mm and 14 mm orthoscopic eyepieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat magnifications do the supplied eyepieces give?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbout 57x with the 14 mm and about 133x with the 6 mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Moon, planets, double stars and brighter deep-sky objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I photograph through it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShort lunar exposures work. Long-exposure deep-sky imaging needs an equatorial mount and a different optical approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I add more eyepieces?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — the focuser is a standard 1.25″ fitting. Takahashi's TPL and Starbase eyepieces are natural additions and we stock them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA complete 80 mm f\/10 refractor made in Japan — mount, tripod, diagonal and two orthoscopic eyepieces included, set up for the Moon, planets and double stars from the first night.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Takahashi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54086148063343,"sku":"TAK-STK08000","price":903.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/starbase80_2_2.jpg?v=1787329332","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/takahashi-starbase-80-80mm-f-10-achromatic-refractor-with-alt-az-mount-and-tripod","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}