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Sky-Watcher ProED 100 APO Refractor # S11120

5.0 (1 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand Sky Watcher
Part Number S11120
Availability available

Product Info

Manufacturer Description

SW PRO 100ED APO Refractor: When You Demand the Best!

Sky-Watcher is a leader in the design and manufacturer of ED-APO systems. Sky-Watcher offers one of the most extensive lines of ED-APOCHROMATIC refractors in the world. Using only the finest fabrication materials available, Sky-Watcher APO refractors are manufactured to painstakingly rigorous, exacting standards of optical and mechanical quality to insure the amateur astronomer peak performance and a great experience each and every time a Sky-Watcher ED-APO is taken into the field. We know the amateur astronomer has very high expectations regarding astronomical equipment purchases. Sky-Watcher has been delivering consistent satisfaction for decades. This telescope is designed for a lifetime of astronomical enjoyment!

Observing with the Sky-Watcher PRO ED-APO 100mm Refractor

Turning the telescope to the first quarter Moon, the Apennine Mountains snap into focus revealing a cornucopia of jagged mountain ridges, canyons, and numerous small craters in razor-sharp detail. Not far removed, reaching skyward the crater wall of Archimedes pops into view in bold relief against the smooth flatlands that transverse the distance between it and the Apennine Mountains. This is lunar observing at its best - HD style. The gas giant Jupiter displays its swirling equatorial bands in high-definition with festoons, and tonality within the bands. The great spot is clearly visible, discreetly contrasted from the surrounding Jovian landscape. Saturn's storied surface phenomenon is simply stunning. Hunt down double stars like Epsilon Lyrae, the "double-double" in Lyra. A 100mm refractor will provide a crisp well defined image superior to even a larger reflector. Always a star-party favorite, Alberio located in the tail of Cygnus never fails to please as it is a beautiful double. Alberio appears like a gold sparkler and its companion looks blue-green. It is a perfect refractor object. Compact globular star clusters lend themselves well to a refractor. Located outside our galaxy the globular M2 will probably resolve more stars in a 4" refractor than a 6" reflector. M4, M10 and many other globular cluster can be seen well with a 100mm refractor. M13, the fantastic globular in Hercules is a stunning sight in a 100mm refractor. The bright central cores of prominent nebulae can be seen and the brightest stars can be resolved. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey of exploration possible with a SW ED-APO 100mm refractor.

As an astrograph, the SW PRO 120ED APO performs superbly delivering crisp, high-fidelity imaging of planetary, lunar and aperture appropriate deep-space phenomenon.

Refractors—the Ultimate Imaging Instruments

In a given aperture size, refractors will always exhibit sharper images than other optical designs because the refractor concentrates more light into the central airy-disk and first diffraction rings. There is no diffraction pattern interference caused by a diagonal mirror, or secondary mirror being suspended in the optical path (central obstruction) as is the case with reflectors.

Sky-Watcher ED-APOs—the Ultimate Refractors

Sky-Watcher ED-APO refractors provide the finest images obtainable—bar none—in their design class. If you are on a quest for the ultimate in pristine, near textbook-perfect astronomical imaging, look no further! Sky-Watcher ED apochromatic refractors deliver dramatic coal-back skies and faithful, contrast-rich views of planetary and deep-space phenomenon that are second to none. Sky-Watcher ED-APO refractors are the logical choice as an investment in advanced instrumentation for exceptional viewing or photography.

Virtually Eliminates Residual Chromatic Aberration

The Sky-Watcher ED-APO design assures virtual elimination of residual "false color" (i.e. chromatic aberration) normally present in 2-element achromatic lens designs which utilize standard crown and flint glasses.

Sky-Watcher APO refractors utilize the finest extra-low dispersion (ED) glass available, FPL-53. This results in the best color correction for an ED doublet lens.

Schott Glass Used in Selected Models for Crown Element

Select models of ED-APO refractors will benefit from the inclusion of Schott glass being used for the positive front Crown element in the objective. Schott is the recognized world leader in glass utilized for precision optical lens systems, including medical instrumentation, and famous-brand camera lenses. While Schott glass is only used in selected models, all other models utilize top-quality, Grade-A glass from perhaps less famous but, nonetheless, highly respected, high-quality glass manufacturers.

Pride and Perfection in Optical Manufacturing

Every lens element is individually inspected for purity and absence of striae and other image-degrading imperfections. Every lens is pitched polished to exacting standards of optical fabrication and performance by highly skilled opticians utilizing state-of-the-art methodology and rigidly controlled optical testing procedures. The result is high-quality, diffraction-limited optics performing to the theoretical limits of their respective aperture sizes. All lenses are uniformly air-spaced in their cell housings.

Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings

Each air-to-glass lens surface has exotic anti-reflection metallic coatings applied to ensure optimum light through-put. The proprietary Sky-Watcher "Metallic High-Transmission Coatings" (MHC) are the finest photon anti-rejection coatings in their class.

Light-Baffled Optical Systems

The objective lens cell is light-baffled to reject stray, unfocused light. The draw tube is likewise baffled to insure optimum contrast. The tube interior is flat blackened to help prevent unfocused internal light reflections from reaching the focal plane.

Precision 2" Crayford-style Focuser is Standard

Optical focus is achieved by means of a mechanically ultra-smooth, backlash-free, precision 2" Crayford-style focuser-assembly with 1.25" adaptor. This focuser operates at 2 speeds for fine and ultra-fine focusing adjustments.

Tube Materials

The optical tube material is aluminum, powder-coated reflective gloss black with gold fleck accent. The front and back cells are cast-aluminum painted white, or black.

Telescope Tube Attachment Hardware:

The Sky-Watcher APO optical tubes come with attachment hardware that allows them to be securely fastened to the SW EQ5P mount. The quick-release tube rings provided with SW ED-APO models 80ED 100ED and 120ED are cast-aluminum, painted white

Included Components for Selected Models

All Sky-Watcher USA ProEDs come with 2-speed backlash-free 2" Crayford-style focusers and quality foam-lined metal carrying cases as standard equipment. ProEDs are also supplied with right-angle 8x50mm viewfinder with bracket; 2" dielectric diagonal; two 1.25" LE (Long Eye relief) eyepieces (LET20mm and LET5mm); 1.25" focuser adaptor; and tube ring attachment hardware that works with compatible mounts.

Additional Information:

  • OTA length: 34"
  • OTA width: 4.5625"
  • OTA weight (with accessories): 8.4 lbs

 

Product carries full 2 year manufacturer factory limited warranty (within US only).

Manufacturer part number: S11120

Reviews

5.0 (Based on 1 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
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    1. Astroballer

      Astroballer New Member

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      User Notes:
      Review by Steven P.
      1535451541
      Aug 28, 2018

      5.0 A perfect balance of power, portability, and price!

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Don’t be fooled by its modest 100mm aperture; this instrument takes planetary and lunar viewing to the next level! Targets come alive at the eyepiece with stunning detail, and superb contrast. See the Planets as you’ve never seen them before, in perfect natural color!

      Place your eye to the Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm APO, and the Cassini division within Saturn’s bright, incredibly sharp rings is easily resolved in jaw-dropping detail, as is the striking contrast within its upper atmosphere. Behold its crisp, three-dimensional appearance, as it practically jumps out of the eyepiece! This effect is enhanced by shadows cast onto the rings from the planet itself; a picture-perfect image of Saturn only a fine APO like this can deliver!

      Aiming in on The King of the Planets, the Great Red Spot easily announces its presence in the South Equatorial Band, flanked by swirling festoons of vivid, bluish-white cloud-tops. The fine details of Jupiter’s cloud belts are easily observed in beautiful natural color with this refractor.

      Our sister planet stands in dramatic, sharp relief against the evening sky, revealing her elegant phases as she draws ever closer, and without a trace of chromatic aberration. The days of using filters in the old achromat to correct errors caused by the intense visual magnitude of Venus are no more!

      So you think you’ve seen the Moon? Prepare to be blown away! The Schott BK-7/ FPL-53 ED lenses in this APO are serious performers, and deliver a stunning level of lunar surface detail unmatched by any other optical design. Maks may come close, but ultimately they can’t quite achieve the superior color correction, and astonishing level of sharp detail one can observe on the lunar surface with an APO doublet like this one!

      Not only for planets and the Moon, the ProED 100mm puts many other bright objects within your reach. Drop a low power 2” eyepiece in the dielectric diagonal, and be rewarded with gorgeous star fields along the Milky Way, impressive for an instrument of this aperture size. Many star clusters are sights to behold in this refractor. Individual stars can be resolved in the great globular cluster M22, like tiny flecks of diamond dust scattered on the night sky. Equally impressive are M6, M11, and the double clusters in Perseus to name a few, appearing as gleaming handfuls of brilliant gemstones tossed onto a soft canvas of black velvet.

      One doesn’t have to spend “TeleVue money” on eyepieces to get the most out of this high quality APO; the Baader Classic Orthoscopics give a remarkable performance in this refractor! They provide reliably mesmerizing views of the Planets and Moon with superb clarity, unlike any other so-called planetary eyepiece in their price range.

      While the 120mm version of this refractor is likely worth every extra penny, the 100mm hits a fantastic sweet spot between power, portability, and price. Here in central NC we have drenching humidity and hazy skies, and there aren’t many nights where you can really crank up the magnification on planets and get the best views. This makes the 100mm aperture and 900mm focal length at F9 a nice balance, and it really hits the mark on planetary viewing with unbelievably sharp images in the 50x to 150x range. While many may not consider this a grab-and-go scope, I would be inclined to disagree. It’s still quite portable despite its size, and at only 8.4 pounds you don’t need to break out the heaviest mount to manage it. The included case makes it quite easy to transport and set up.

      If you’re an avid visual observer of the planets or a lover of the lunar landscape, the SkyWatcher Evostar/ProED 100mm APO is a joy to own, and an all-around solidly built instrument! And props to Agena AstroProducts for their stellar customer service :P There are many more sleepless nights ahead…

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Specifications

      Telescope Aperture 3.94" (100mm)
      Manufacturer Sky Watcher
      Telescope Aperture 81mm - 125mm
      Telescope Series Sky Watcher ProEd