William Optics Fluorostar FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser Refractor

Home > Telescopes > APO/ED Refractors > William Optics > William Optics Fluorostar FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser Refractor

$William Optics Fluorostar FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser Refractor$

William Optics Fluorostar FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser Refractor

. Use Live Chat for questions. or to leave your message for us to reply to within a couple of hours.
. Satisfaction Guarantee: 30 Days no Hassle Return (Terms & Conditions Applies)
. Multiple Payment Options ( All Debit, Credit Cards, EMT, Wire Transfers, Financing)
. Canadian Based Company, 100% Secure Ordering

0 Review(s)

Your Price: CAD10,659.00

Retail Price:CAD10,899.00

Your Savings:CAD240.00(2%)

Usually ships in 7-10 business days, if on backorder ETA 4-6 Weeks

Part Number:

Model Selections

A-F156BU-RP37 FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" R&P focuser in Grey

A-F156GD-RP37 FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" R&P focuser in Gold

A-F156RD-RP37 FLT156 f/7.8 OTA. FPL53 triplet APO, 3.7" R&P focuser in Red

DIAGONAL

EYEPIECE

Mounting Accessories

FOCUSER

PHOTO ACCESSORIES & FILTERS

Other Accessories

Ships Worldwide - Estimate import fees, duties, and taxes.

Quantity

Description
Customer Reviews

William Optics' 156 Fluorostar APO refractor is designed to provide unparalleled views. FLT156s are designed for visual and photographic use. The 3-element, apochromatic optics boast superior color correction. The large 156mm aperture and 1217mm focal length deliver a great field of view perfect for astroimaging. William Optics ensures top quality telescopes and this refractor is no different. It comes with FPL-53 and Lanthanum glass for aberration correction.

The beautiful exterior of the FLT156 f/7.8 APO Triplet Refractor makes its supreme quality obvious to those who see it up close. WO has included their patented Bahtinov mask and the CNC machined and blue anodized handle-bar perfect for the William Optic UniGuide scope and other accessories with a Vixen type finder base. It also comes with a Losmandy dovetail plate and rings for a sturdy fit when connected to a mount. A soft carry case is also included to protect your scope when traveling and ensure safe storage.

About the WO Bahtinov Mask Cover

The Bahtinov mask is a great tool for astrophotography and modifying focus. With William Optics quality, the Innovative Bahtinov Mask Cover for the William Optics telescopes will help astrophotographers reach the best focus when capturing those wonderful celestial photos.

About the Saddle Handle Bar
The Saddle Bar Handle is a great way to make your William Optics telescope portable! William Optics' patented handle design allows users to slide their compatible slide-base guide rings (not included) directly onto the handle. This handle will also accept the William Optics UniGuide 50mm Slide-Base Guide Scope (not inlcuded).

The William Optics FLT156 includes a robust 3.7" rack and pinion focuser and Roto-Lock adapter. The smooth-moving knobs reduce image shifting, keeping you behind the scope for longer.

About the 3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser

The William Optics 3.7" R&P focuser is a smooth, stable, and reliable focuser that helps prevent image shifting! It works great with a 3" WO corrector (not included).

About the RotoLock Adapter

No compression ring necessary! Just insert your 2" accessory and rotate clockwise to lock it in, and counterclockwise to release it. The process only takes a few seconds. The user is notified when the RotoLock Visual Back is opened or closed via internal ball bearings which present a gentle yet audible click. This allows for easy operation in low visibility. The adapter is ribbed exterior ensures a firm grip.

Specifications

Telescope Series: William Optics FLT

Telescope Optical Design: Refractor

Refractor Design: Apochromat (APO)

Number of Refractor Elements: 3

Telescope Aperture: 6.14" (156 mm)

Telescope Focal Ratio: f/7.8

Telescope Focal Length: 1217 mm

Optical Coatings: Fully multi-coated

Image Circle: > Full Frame

Includes Telescope Case: Yes

Focuser Style: Rack & Pinion

Focuser Size: 3.7"

Telescope Mount Type: No Mount - OTA Only

OTA Length - Extended: 52.36" (1330 mm)

OTA Length - Retracted: 44.09" (1120 mm)

OTA Weight: 37.4 lb.

In the Box

William Optics FLT 156 Refractor
3.7" Rack & Pinion Focuser
Bahtinov Mask
Losmandy Dovetail
Saddle Handle Bar
Soft Carry Case

The William Optics Fluorostar FLT156 is a premium apochromatic triplet refractor telescope renowned for its high-quality optics and build. This telescope is available with two primary focuser options: the 3.5" Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Rack & Pinion focuser and William Optics' own 3.7" Rack & Pinion focuser. Here's a detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and decide which is best suited for your needs.?

Overview of Focuser Options

1. 3.5" Feather Touch Rack & Pinion Focuser (Starlight Instruments)

Build Quality: Renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, offering ultra-smooth and precise focusing.
Load Capacity: Designed to handle heavy imaging equipment without flexure or slippage.
Compatibility: Widely compatible with various astrophotography accessories.
User Feedback: Highly regarded in the astrophotography community for its reliability and performance.?

2. 3.7" William Optics Rack & Pinion Focuser

Design: Features a dual-speed mechanism with a larger 3.7" drawtube, facilitating better light throughput.
Integrated Features: Includes a built-in camera angle adjuster, allowing for easy rotation of the imaging train—a feature not present in the Feather Touch model.
Compatibility: Specifically designed to work seamlessly with William Optics accessories, such as the Flat68III, Flat7A, and Flat8 flatteners.
User Feedback: Praised for its smooth operation and the convenience of the integrated rotator.?

Comparative Analysis

Feature	Feather Touch 3.5" R&P	William Optics 3.7" R&P
Build Quality	Exceptional; industry-leading precision	High-quality; optimized for WO systems
Load Capacity	Excellent; supports heavy imaging setups	Very good; suitable for most astrophotography needs
Integrated Rotator	Not included	Included; allows easy camera rotation
Accessory Compatibility	Broad; may require adapters for some WO accessories	Seamless with WO flatteners and accessories
Price Point	Higher; reflects premium build	More affordable; offers great value

Considerations for Your Choice

Astrophotography: If you plan to use heavy cameras and accessories, the Feather Touch focuser's superior load capacity and precision might be advantageous.
Ease of Use: The William Optics focuser's integrated rotator can simplify framing and composition during imaging sessions.
Budget: The Feather Touch option is more expensive; if budget is a concern, the William Optics focuser offers excellent performance at a lower price point.
Accessory Ecosystem: Consider the accessories you plan to use; the William Optics focuser ensures seamless integration with their own line of flatteners and other accessories.?

Conclusion

Both focusers are high-quality options for the William Optics FLT156, each with its own strengths. Your choice should be guided by your specific needs in terms of imaging equipment, desired features, and budget.