AIRY APO80 apochromatic refractor,
80mm diameter, 500mm focal length (f6.25), FLP-53 apochromatic doublet,
aluminum tube with 50,8mm Hybrid-Drive focuser with fine focus knob,
50.8mm OnAxisLock adapter, photographic tripod connection (mounts
support rings available), rigid transport bag.
Optical power, mechanical quality and design features at the highest
levels, all in a compact and easy to transport product: our AIRY APO80
apochromatic refractor offers all of this at an unbelievably low price!
Thanks to its extraordinary lens with FPL-53 element, it offers a
perfect chromatic aberration correction for images with no false color
and very high contrast. Thanks to the short focal length (500mm), it can
be used in astrophotography even with compact equatorial mounts (eg
type HEQ5). In addition, the compact and lightweight body makes it a
perfect instrument even for travel. Telescope collimation and optics test included in the price!
AIRY
APO80 apochromatic refractor, 80mm diameter, 500mm focal length (f6.25),
FLP-53 apochromatic doublet, aluminum tube with 50,8mm Hybrid-Drive
focuser with fine focus knob, 50.8mm OnAxisLock adapter, photographic
tripod connection (mounts support rings available), rigid transport bag.
The AIRY APO80 apochromatic refractor offers all this along with other first-class features:

FPL-53 80mm apochromatic lens, perfect colors
The
apochromatic refractor AIRY APO80 uses as lens a doublet with FPL-53
lens fully multi-coated for a perfect chromatic aberration correction
generating images with no false color, high contrast and rich in detail.
This feature is perfect for long exposure astrophotography with color
cameras (like DSLR), where the color aberration ruins photographs in not
perfectly corrected telescopes.
The
short focal length (500mm) and the fast focal ratio (6.25) make it ideal
for shooting wide field extended objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy
(M31), the Orion Nebula (M42), or the Veil Nebula (NGC6992) that will be
shown in their full extent also with cameras equipped with not too
big sensors (and not too expensive).
In order
to maximize the quality of this apochromatic refractor using cameras
with more than 15mm diagonal sensors (such as DSLRs), we recommend the
use of field flattener which makes pinpoint stars up to image edges.
|
50,8mm Hybrid-Drive focuser
Often
refractors are provided with Crayford focusers suitable for visual use
but not for photo applications. In fact, during the long exposures
required by astrophotography, this type of focuser can cause camera
slippage moving the sensor out of focus. For this reason we have chosen
to provide our AIRY APO80 telescopes with the new 50.8mm Hybrid-Drive
focuser that adds, under the focuser tube, a rack and pinion thereby
maintaining in position even heavy cameras (capacity of up 8 Kg). Below
the focuser there's also a locking screw: closing it, you will be sure
that your camera will not move any more!
The 50.8mm Hybrid-Drive focuser features
a convenient 1:11 fine focus gear, particularly useful when you need to
focus at high magnification. The
focuser has a very long ride (95mm) to allow the use of both
photographic instruments (cameras with accessories) and visual
(eyepieces and diagonals). For visual use, we recommend our 50.8mm
XP dielectric diagonal for the observation of the sky or our XP
45° erect image prism for the one of terrestrial objects (use as a
spotting scope).
OnAxisLock 50,8mm adapter
Using
heavy photographic accessories such as DSLR or cooled CCD (often with
filter wheels) cameras, it is crucial to avoid flexions when we insert
them into the telescope's focuser. This also applies also to visual use
when we connect large diagonal and wide field eyepieces (which are often
very heavy). For this reason, the AIRY APO80's focuser has the new
OnAxisLock locking device instead of normal thumbscrews. This allows you
to perfectly lock the inserted accessory by rotating the outer (red)
ring: a special inner ring tightens accessories with a uniform pressure.
The OnAxisLock device also helps keep perfectly aligned on axis the
accessories inserted into the focuser: you'll be so sure that the
camera's sensor will be perfectly centered in the telescope optical
axis.

|
Precision mechanical construction and 360° quality
You will
be amazed of the mechanical quality of our AIRY APO80: full aluminum
intubation made with precision CNC machine is rugged yet lightweight.
All the components are treated at the highest levels to provide an
instrument with which is a real pleasure to photograph or watch the
sky! The aluminum front dew
shield can be closed to make the telescope more transportable. The front
cap is completely aluminum made. The focuser can be rotated freely
through 360 degrees (without changing the focus point) to position the
camera with the right angle and perfectly frame the object you want to
record.
Below
the optical tube there's a metal plate which allows installation on
photographic tripods (perfect for use as a terrestrial spotting scope).
This plate has the shape of a Vixen dovetail bar then the telescope can
also be installed directly on mounts with this connection. For long exposure astrophotography use we suggest our 90mm PLUS system support rings. The
AIRY APO80 refractor is an optics and mechanics jewel, and to carry it
or keep it protected at best, it comes with a beautiful hard case.
 |
PLUS system support rings:
Forget
about the uncomfortable and weak support rings that are often found
in cheap telescopes! Our AIRY APO80 apochromatic refractor can be used
(optional) with beautiful aluminum anodized support rings, made with
high precision CNC machines, which are part of the PLUS (Prima Luce Universal System)
system. This gives you maximum freedom in adapting the telescope to
your request; at the same time, it has all the threaded holes, holes and
slots suitable for connecting all the PLUS compatible elements, always
with simple M6 screws.
For
example, you can choose to install either a Losmandy or Vixen plate
type, or you can use the holes in the upper part of the rings to install
a telescope in parallel (through the guide rings PLUS compatible) or
another dovetail plat equals to one located below the telescope (to
position where you want guide rings or to allow the sliding Vixen +
Losmandy dovetail clamp).
|
A complete line of dedicated accessories:
Our
complete line of accessories for AIRY let you personalize your telescope
according to your needs. Always with quality and operating certificated
instruments!

|
4 years extended warranty and Q-certified controls
All our
AIRY apochromatic refractors are equipped with extended warranty, 4
years (instead of 2 of the most telescopes)! This way you will be sure
not only to have a great product but also with quality that lasts over
time! Each telescope is identified by a unique serial number which is
also listed in the manual provided with the package. But our innovation
doesn't end there.
In fact
we have developed Q-certified, a comprehensive control system that we
work out in our laboratory prior to shipment and delivery of the product
you ordered. In fact, before delivering the AIRY APO80 telescope, we
test the collimation and the perfect functioning of all mechanical
components.
In
addition, we pay much attention and care to shipping, carrying a sturdy
packaging and giving it to the courier service. We want to be sure that
you will receive your new AIRY APO80 not only in the shortest possible
time but also with utmost care.

Left:
every AIRY telescope is identified by a unique serial number. Right:
functional and collimation verification of optics on optical bench.
The security of your purchase: Q-certified
We often
hear users are not sure about purchasing: is the telescope collimated?
Has the operation been verified? Does the focuser work?
For this
reason, we have developed Q-certified, a comprehensive control system
that we work out in our laboratory prior to shipment and delivery of the
product you ordered. In fact, before delivering the AIRY
APO80 telescope, we test the collimation and the perfect functioning of
all mechanical components.
In addition, we pay much attention and care to shipping, carrying a sturdy packaging and giving it to the courier service. We want to be sure that you will receive your new AIRY APO80 not only in the shortest possible time but also with utmost care.
Specifications
Optical Design | Apochromat |
---|
Optics | FPL53 doublet |
---|
Diameter (mm) | 80mm |
---|
Focal Length (mm) | 500 |
---|
Focal Ratio | 6.25 |
---|
Field flattener/corrector | Not included (optional) |
---|
Optical Tube | Aluminium |
---|
Secondary Mirror Obstruction | No |
---|
Focuser | 2" Rack & Pinion Hybrid–Drive, micrometric |
---|
Eyepiece holder | 50,8mm OnAxisLock |
---|
Weight | 3 Kg |
---|
Hard/soft case | Hard case |
---|
|
AIRY APO80 apochromatic refractor - scope of delivery:
- Optical tube AIRY APO80 apochromatic refractor (D: 80mm F:500mm f/6.25)
- Aluminum intubation
- 50,8mm Hybrid-Drive focuser with 1:11 fine focus
- 50,8mm OnAxisLock locking device
- Retractable dew shield
- Bar for photographic tripods and Vixen type mount connection
- Hard case
- Connection for "DX-1 finder support for AIRY refractors"
|

AIRY
APO80 Star Test performed recording with a color camera Betelgeuse star
in intra focal position (left), focus point (center) and extra focal
position (right).

M45 (Pleiades) recorded by Filippo Bradaschia and Omar Cauz with AIRY APO80 (+ field flattener) and QHY10 camera.

Horsehead nebula (IC434) recorded by Domenico De Luca with AIRY APO80 and SBIG ST-8300M camera.

AIRY APO80 is also a great instrument for terrestrial photography: picture recorded by Stefano Savini.

Sir George Biddell Airy
Sir
George Biddell Airy (27 July 1801 – 2 January 1892) was an English
mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881. His
many achievements include work on planetary orbits, measuring the mean
density of the Earth, a method of solution of two-dimensional problems
in solid mechanics and, in his role as Astronomer Royal, establishing
Greenwich as the location of the prime meridian.
from: Wikipedia