Today’s amateur astronomer has numerous options when it comes to excellent imaging telescopes. The apochromatic refractor, or APO, has become a favorite because its optical design overcomes typical false-color issues associated with APOs, yet it provides the pinpoint images we all desire.
A telescope manufacturer that many North American customers may not be aware of, Officina Stellare of Thiene, Italy, designs and manufactures several high-quality telescopes. The company’s Hiper APO series, a true three-lens APO, includes 3.15-inch (80 millimeters), 4.1-inch (105mm), 4.5-inch (115mm), 5.1-inch (130mm), 5.9-inch (150mm), and 7.2-inch (180mm) models.
For this review, I tested the company’s Hiper APO 130. This unit begins as a stock f/6 APO, although the company also supplies a Borg EDF4 focal reducer, which, when installed, produces an effective focal ratio of f/3.75. With the focal reducer in place, the scope can produce a field of view measuring 24mm by 36mm, edge to edge, which is ideal for astroimaging. An included extension tube allows for visual observing.
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