Orion StarMax 102mm Equatorial Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope Kit, with Eyepiece, Tripod & Mount

The Orion StarMax 102mm Equatorial Mak-Cass Telescope puts viewing first, allowing plenty of time for family and friends to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Transporting it is a breeze. The set-up and break-down takes just minutes. This excellent all-around performer is as notable for the quality of its Maksutov-Cassegrain optics as it is for ease of use and compact portability.

Its 102mm, fully multi-coated front lens pulls in 28% more light than its 90mm counterparts, to capture fainter objects and resolve subtler detail. And with a 1300mm focal length (f/12.7) it has the same magnification range (up to 200x) as longer, bulkier refractors and reflectors. In a tube less than 12" long. Like the smaller StarMax 90, the 102mm is equipped for years and miles of use. It shuns plastic parts that are so ubiquitous on gadgety mass-market scopes in favor of a quality aluminum tube with solid aluminum front and rear castings, rubber-grip metal focus knob and a built-in aluminum 1/4"-20 mounting block.

Even the included accessories are top-of-the-line: a 25mm (52x) Sirius Plossl fully-coated eyepiece (1.25"), a 90° mirror star diagonal and a 6x26 correct-image finder scope equipped with an aluminum dovetail bracket with intuitive X-Y alignment control. The carrying case is also included. Fully padded, with zippered accessory pockets and with handles that fit in the hand or over the shoulder. The StarMax 102mm comes complete with a sturdy German-type EQ-2 equatorial mount with dual setting circles and slow-motion hand controls. An optional AstroTrack or EQ-2M electronic drive can be added for automatic tracking.

The aluminum tripod adjusts for the height of all users, from kids to adults. Astrophotographers will like the addition of T-threads on the eyepiece adapter, enabling direct attachment of a 35mm camera body (with optional T-ring) for short-exposure shoots. The same feature allows the scope to become a precision telephoto lens for terrestrial photography. With this versatility, many avid big-scope owners will find the StarMax 102 to be an excellent second scope for everyday use.