Astro-Tech AT66 APO ED Doublet Start Price USD 1.00 Current Price USD 565.00 Time Left - Bid Count 21 Buy It Now Price USD 699.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 29, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 06, 2008 Location South Jersey See more about 'Astro-Tech AT66 APO ED Doublet' Description Just in time for Xmas. Complete, like new, 66mm APO ED doublet refractor kit. Excellent quality starter or portable system. Bought this at the beginning of this year hoping to get the grand-kids interested in something other than the TV and the computer. As you might guess from this listing, that hasn't worked. We've been out twice with it and they are not interested in going again and I have my other system and don't need two full kits. Included in this kit is the dark-green AT66 refractor as described below by the importer (Astronomics in Norman) and the following pieces: Astro-Tech's matching alt-az heavy-duty tripod, Astro-Tech's 90 & 45 degree star diagonals (2), Tele Vue 40mm Plossl & Celestron 8-24mm zoom lens and an Orion Shorty 2X Barlow. Everything you need to get started with a very high quality refractor system or just the thing to toss in the car and go without the fuss or size of a larger system.. The sleek styling of this Astronomy Technologies Astro-Tech AT66 refractor will be the first thing you notice. The images of its outstanding ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) optics will be what you remember. Add superb mechanics to those outstanding optics, some unique features and this telescope stands apart in an appearance and performance class of its own. The images from its 400mm f/6 ED air-spaced doublet optics are virtually color-free, even at high magnifications. At its low price, the optical performance is little short of astonishing. Those exceptional optics are even more impressive when you consider the package they come in. The finely-machined scope has a dual speed Crayford-style focuser with a microfine 11:1 fine-focusing ratio. A simple twist of a knurled ring on the scope body lets you rotate the focuser a full 360° to put your eyepiece in the most comfortable observing position. The supplied 1.25” eyepiece adapter uses a non-marring brass compression ring that won’t scratch your eyepiece barrels. The Astro-Tech AT66 has a retractable lens shade and comes in a locking aluminum-clad carrying case. This 11.5” long refractor optical tube (14.25” long with the lens shade extended) has the right balance of aperture and focal length to use as a low-power rich field telescope, as a medium-power planetary telescope, or as any kind of telescope in between. Its compact size, light weight, and convenient removable L-shaped mounting shoe that fits any photographic tripod also make it an excellent terrestrial spotting scope for vacations, birding, or nature studies. In addition, optional camera adapters turn the AT66 into a superb 400mm (8x) f/6 telephoto lens. If this Astronomy Technologies AT66 was just another 66mm refractor, the quality of its optics alone would still make it a superb value. Add the unique features – like the dual speed microfine focuser, your choice of colors, and a hard case – and you have a scope that has absolutely no equal at its very affordable price. Features of this Telescope . . . Apochromatic refractor optics: 66mm (2.6”) aperture, 400mm focal length, f/6 focal ratio air-spaced doublet lens using an ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) element to reduce spurious color halos and fringing to vanishingly low levels. Multicoated optics: The objective lens has the latest state-of-the-art antireflection multicoatings on all four air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission and excellent contrast. This can easily be seen by looking into the objective lens of the scope. Virtually no reflection of your face will be seen. It’s a sure sign that the high transmission coatings are doing their job, by letting virtually all the light enter the scope, rather than reflecting some light back to your eye. Internal light baffles: There are ten contrast-enhancing light baffles in the optical tube, for truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing stray internal reflections. Dew shield: A self-storing retractable dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves the contrast, similar to the effect of the lens shade on a camera lens, when observing during the day or when there is excessive ambient light at night, such as a neighbor’s backyard security light. Dual speed microfine Crayford-style focuser with 1.25” adapter: The precision-made focuser has dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with 11:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during visual observing, critical 35mm or CCD imaging, or when using the scope as a photoguide. The focus knobs have ribbed gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. The 60mm (2.36”) travel focuser drawtube has a scale marked in 1mm increments so you can note individual focuser positions for easy return to the correct focus when switching between visual use and photography. A lock knob under the focuser lets you lock in your photographic focus. The focuser drawtube terminates in standard 2” SCT-type rear cell threads to allow the use of any SCT photographic or visual accessory (2” SCT star diagonal, T-adapter, etc.) A locking ring on the body of the scope allows the focuser to be rotated a full 360°. This lets you lock the focuser in place to line up a camera in a landscape or portrait orientation, as well as putting a star diagonal and eyepiece into the most comfortable observing position. The supplied 1.25” eyepiece adapter threads onto the 2” drawtube threads and uses a soft brass compression ring to hold 1.25” star diagonals and accessories in place. The compression ring won’t scratch the barrel of your star diagonal as an ordinary thumbscrew can. Mounting shoe/tripod adapter: The scope has a removable L-shaped mounting shoe/tripod adapter that fits any camera tripod with a standard 1/4”-20 thread mounting bolt. It has two tripod mounting holes to allow you to balance the weight of a camera or heavy 2” eyepieces and accessories. The front hole balances the scope for 1.25” diagonal and 1.25” eyepiece use with the lens shade extended. The rear hole balances it when a camera or a 2” diagonal and 2” eyepiece are mounted. Two hex head bolts hold the mounting shoe in place on the 75mm diameter optical tube. This allows the shoe to be removed and reversed to better balance very tail-heavy accessory combinations. Removing the mounting shoe also lets you install the AT66 in optional mounting rings for use on an equatorial mount or as a piggyback photoguide or super finder. Cork pads on the underside of the mounting shoe help keep the scope from swiveling when mounted on a tripod. Tube finish: The optical tube is finished in a striking and durable anodized dark-green with anodized black trim. Other supplied accessories: A slip-on metal dust cap is standard. The scope comes in a 15” x 10” x 6.25” aluminum-clad locking hard carrying case with carry handle. The foam-fitted case has cutouts for the scope, a 1.25” or 2” star diagonal, and up to three eyepieces (two 1.25” and one 2”). Includes the original boxes and packing materials for safe shipment. I don't know where eBay comes up with their shipping costs, but the please ignore whatever they put in. The buyer will pay actual shipping cost via you choice of shippers (UPS, Fedex Ground or USPS). Original invoices total well over $1000. Thanks and good viewing. Place a Bid!