Refractors

Looking to buy the best refractor telescopes in Australia? Look no further than Bintel, where we endeavor to provide high quality service and after-sales support second-to-none. Whether you're after good refractor telescopes for beginners, the best refractors for the price, or a high quality kids telescope for astronomy, our expert staff can help you out. We stock a wide range of great refractors, and have been supplying amateur astronomers in Australia for over 30 years. When you want to buy a high quality refractor telescope in Australia, Bintel should always be your first port of call. Refractor designs are great for use both at night to look at the sky, or during the day terrestrially to look at the view off your balcony. Some of the refractors below are on computerised mounts, featuring full GoTo programming and WiFi capabilities, while others are very simple, and completely manual. If you're looking for a high-end premium photographic-style telescope, check out our range of apochromatic systems here.

$ZWO FF131 APO 131mm flat-field apochromatic refractor side view$

ZWO FF131 APO Flat-Field 131mm Apochromatic Refractor

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$3,349.00

ZWO Flat-Field APO Series

FF131 APO. Flat field, built in.

A 131 mm f/7.5 four-element apochromatic refractor with a native flat field and a 44 mm full-frame image circle. The flagship of the FF series, with 983 mm of focal length and serious light grasp for deep-sky imaging.

Explore the design View specifications

131 mm

aperture

four-element air-spaced APO

983 mm

focal length

f/7.5

44 mm

image circle

full-frame coverage

7.9 kg

optical tube

9.4 kg with rings and dovetail

ZWO FF Series

Designed as an astrograph first.

Every FF series telescope is built around a native flat field, so the optics, focuser and rear interfaces all serve one goal: clean stars across the whole sensor.

Attach your camera, reach focus, start imaging. No flattener. No spacing maths.

Optics

Four elements, fully air-spaced.

The FF131 APO uses a four-element, fully air-spaced apochromatic design in which all four elements work together to form the image. One ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element reduces chromatic aberration for cleaner colour correction and sharper stars.

Native flat field

Flat to the edge. No flattener.

The flat imaging field is generated by the optical design itself, so there is no field flattener to buy and no back focus calculations to get right. Once focus is achieved, you are ready to capture.

Full-frame support

44 mm image circle.

A 44 mm corrected image circle fully covers full-frame sensors, with sharp star fields and consistent illumination from centre to corner. Smaller APS-C and dedicated astronomy sensors have generous headroom.

Focusing

1:10 dual-speed control.

A rigid 3″ rack-and-pinion focuser offers precise control, and the 1:10 coarse and fine adjustment makes critical focus easy to hit. A built-in 360° rotator at the rear sets your framing without disturbing focus.

Build

Retractable dew shield.

The dew shield retracts to shorten the tube for packing and travel. Precision CNC machining, a high-quality painted finish and an internal anti-reflection coating keep stray light down and image contrast up.

Connectivity

Adapters in the box.

A four-section photography extension tube with a 2″ filter thread is included, along with rear adapters in M48×0.75 and M54×0.75 standards. The quick-release mounting rings detach in seconds for fast setup and teardown.

Quadruplet optics

Four elements. One flat field.

All four air-spaced elements work together to form the image, with one ED glass element controlling chromatic aberration for clean colour correction and tight, well-defined stars.

Optical layout

The light path, end to end.

The optical layout delivers a corrected, flat field at the sensor with no additional optics in the imaging train. What leaves the objective arrives at your camera, flat.

Full-frame ready

44 mm image circle.

Full-frame sensors are covered corner to corner with sharp star fields and consistent illumination, and smaller sensors sit comfortably inside the sweet spot.

Critical focus

Coarse and fine, 1:10.

The rigid 3″ rack-and-pinion focuser moves heavy imaging trains smoothly, and the 1:10 fine knob gives you the resolution to land exact focus on a star.

Framing

360° of rotation.

A built-in rotator at the rear lets you set the camera angle for perfect framing without unthreading anything or disturbing focus.

Field-ready build

Quick-release rings. Retractable dew shield.

The mounting rings detach in seconds for fast setup and teardown, and the dew shield slides back to shorten the tube for transport. CNC machining and an internal anti-reflection coating keep contrast high.

In the box

Photography extension tube.

A four-section photographic extension tube with a 2″ filter thread is included, plus M48×0.75 and M54×0.75 rear adapters, connecting cameras, filters and accessories cleanly out of the box.

Aperture and reach

131 mm of light grasp, 983 mm of reach.

The flagship of the FF series pulls in the most light and resolves the finest detail of the range, and the 983 mm focal length frames smaller targets tightly. The optical tube weighs 7.9 kg, or 9.4 kg with the handle, mounting rings and dovetail plate fitted.

Flexible connectivity

One telescope. Three configurations.

Pair the FF131 APO with ZWO ASI astronomy cameras, attach a DSLR or mirrorless body, or drop in a diagonal and eyepiece for visual observing. Focus is reached within a back focus range of 42–73 mm, measured from the M54–M48 interface shoulder. Visual accessories are available separately.

Every detail, considered.

Four-element, fully air-spaced apochromatic design with one ED glass element.

Native flat-field design, no separate field flattener or spacing adjustments required.

44 mm image circle with full-frame sensor support and edge-to-edge sharpness.

3″ rack-and-pinion focuser with 1:10 coarse and fine adjustment.

Built-in 360° rotator for precise camera angle adjustment.

Retractable dew shield with internal anti-reflection coating for higher contrast.

Quick-release mounting rings for fast setup and teardown.

Four-section photography extension tube with 2″ filter thread plus M48×0.75 and M54×0.75 rear adapters included.

Specifications.

Optics

Effective aperture

131 mm

Focal length

983 mm

Focal ratio

f/7.5

Objective type

Four-element air-spaced APO (including one ED element)

Image circle

44 mm

Integrated field flattener design

Yes

Focuser and rotation

Focuser

3″ rack-and-pinion, 1:10 coarse and fine adjustment

Camera rotator

Built-in, 360°

Back focus

Back focus range

42–73 mm, measured from the M54–M48 interface shoulder

Maximum rear connection length (focuser retracted)

Imaging mode

73 mm (from the M48×0.75 male thread)
91 mm (from the M54×0.75 male thread)

Observation mode

131 mm (from the 1.25″ interface)
142 mm (from the 2″ interface)

Minimum rear connection length (focuser retracted)

Imaging mode

42 mm (from M48×0.75 male thread)
60 mm (from M54×0.75 male thread)

Observation mode

100 mm (from 1.25″ interface)
111 mm (from 2″ interface)

Dimensions and weight

Overall length

878 mm (1.25″ interface retracted)
941 mm (photography extension tube retracted)
963 mm (1.25″ interface, dew shield extended)
1026 mm (photography extension tube, dew shield extended)

Telescope body weight

7.9 kg

Standard configuration weight

9.4 kg (including handle, mounting rings and dovetail plate)

Interfaces

Rear interfaces

M78×1 – 55 mm extension adapter
M78×1 – M54×0.75
M54×0.75 – M54×0.75
M54×0.75 – M48×0.75 (built-in M48×0.75 filter thread)

In the box

FF131 APO optical tube

With handle, mounting rings and dovetail plate

Photography extension tube

Four-section, with 2″ filter thread, M48×0.75 and M54×0.75 rear adapters

Documentation

User manual, inspection sheet, warranty card

Built to last a lifetime.

Australian warranty

Full local cover

Ships from Sydney

From local stock

Expert advice

From working astronomers

40+ years

In Australian astronomy

Available to order

$Founder Optics FOT86 APO Triplet Refractor$

Founder Optics FOT86 APO Triplet Refractor

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$2,199.00

Designed in Japan, Made in Taiwan

Sharp Optical System & Performance

Superb ED class for remarkable image clarity. Crystal clear, superb sharp, almost zero aberration and distortion.
2 ED Glasses S-FPL 53 & S-FPL 51 & Lanthanum - Fully Separated Triplet (FST)
Fully Multi-coated optics ensures maximum light transmission
Impressive user experience, designed for both visual observation and astrophotography

Precision focusing & mechanical design throughout

Finely CNC machining aluminium body and patented rack and pinion focuser for heavy loading 360 degree rotatable for photography
Deluxe high-glossy anodizing finish
Retractable sunshade
PATENTED：US 8,693,092 B2 / Taiwan 1417570

Design

At the heart of the Founder Optics FOT86 is premium performance 3-element ED APO triplet refractor, designed by a famous optical designer in based in Japan. The optical performance is impressive as a two ED glass elements are employed.

Unlike most ED triplet telescopes which use only 1 ED glass element, Founder Optics adopted 2 ED glass of S-FPL 53 and S-FPL 51 to bring a remarkable image that you'll immediately spot with even a casual viewing. With two fluoro-crown ED glass elements and fully multi-coated optics, these Founder Optics refractors provide a crystal clear, superb sharp, zero aberration and distortion image to your eyes or camera sensor.

In addition, each element is fully separated or air spaced which is not common even among APO triplet telescopes. This offers further improvements to the already impressive optical quality.

Quality

In order to complete this unique design, it requires a very high level machining and assembly capability. Founder Optics partner with an experienced factory located in Taiwan with over 50 years experience in precision manufacturing, especially for Japanese companies.

Besides manufacturing know-how, the high standard of quality control is also crucial to producing FOT86 and FOT106 telescopes. This is recorded in a Quality Certification Card.

Every unit is thoroughly tested, and these unique records help customers understand the quality of their telescope. Founder Optics take their quality checking very seriously as they aim to offer the best triplet APO telescopes to BINTEL customers.

Focuser - 2'' Rack & Pinion

Perfect Hybrid Drive system with 8 Ball bearings- More Smoothly!

2sets of 4pcs ball bearing at 2 sides between the drawtube and the focuser handle linear travel of the focuser. Once the locked the knob, there is no gap among the drawtube, 8pcs ball bearings, and the focuser cover. It does not only keep the focuser always paralleled the optic axis, but also keep it moved very smoothly.

Dual Speed Focuser- 1:11 – Extremely Accurate!

Smooth focus motion and fine focus wheel allow precision adjustment from critical focusing of eyepiece or camera.

Unique Lock Function– Heavy Loading Capability!

Special lock grabs the rack& pinion & drawtube in two directions. The design makes the focuser always paralleled the optics axis. Instead of pushing against the drawtube to eliminate focus shift while it’s focused. And it can handle up to 8kg as well for complex imaging trains.

Longer Traveling Distance– Suitable for a range of Photographing Accessories!

Unlike other focusers, the long travel 95mm provides more room for adjust for fine and accurate focus.

It is compatibly for a wide range of photographic accessories, along with easy to use controls.

Solid, lockable Dew Shield

Built in sliding dew shield. Three screws hold dew shield stable while imaging or observing while keeping it place during transport.

Specifications:

Optical System: 2 ED APO Triplet (Fully Separated Elements)

Clear Aperture: 86mm

Focal Length: 560mm

Image Circle (with Field Flattener): Ø44mm

Focuser: 2’’ Rack & Pinion Patented Focuser (Twist Lock)

Weight: OTA: 3.5kg/ with Tube Ring: 4.6kg

Diameter of Main Tube: 90mm

Tube Length: Fully Retracted: 456mm/ Fully Extended: 545mm

What's in the Box:

1) High Quality Aluminium Case with Key
2) FOT106/ FOT86 with Patent Rack & Pinion Focuser
3) 1.25’’/ 2’’ Twist Lock Adapter
4) Crank Handle with 1pc 1/4"-20 Hexagon Screw
5) Tube Rings with 4pcs Dovetail Screws
6) Star Finder Shoe
7) Field Flattener (M42) with Exchangeable M48 Adapter
8) 7’’ Vixen Type Mount Dovetail
9) Quality Certification Card with Serial Number
10) Cleaning Cloth
11) Dust Caps (for Objective Lens)

Instruction FOT86 Manual

Download here

Available to order

BORG 90FL Telescope Set CR (Carbon Tube) - The Binocular and Telescope Shop

BORG 90FL Telescope Set CR (Carbon Tube)

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$4,599.00

The BORG 90FL CR has exceptional optical resolution, accomplished by apochromat fluorite glass elements from Canon Optron, Inc. built in the optical design of the objective lens, and a super tele 500mm focal length and aperture of f/5.6.

A great piece of gear for observing celestial bodies and bird life in the Australian bush and city environments.

The 90mm front element diameter does not hamper the 90FL's extreme compact and lightweight capabilities thanks to the detachable carbon fiber made barrel. Recommended for starry sky, nebula, star cluster, and planet observation. You can convert this telescope to a tele lens by swapping the prism and eyepiece with a BORG camera mount adapter (sold separately).

Objective lens equipped with apochromat fluorite glass elements from Canon Optron, Inc.
Objective lens optical design: 2 elements in 2 groups, fluorite, apochromat, fully multicoated.
Robust and beautiful carbon fiber barrel.
BORG 80Ø barrel system.
Rack & pinion focusing system.
Erect prism (included) allows users to observe both on-ground objects and celestial bodies.
20mm and 9mm eyepieces included.
Lightweight construction of 3 kilograms (including accessories).
Arca-Swiss Quick Release System tripod plate.
Objective lenses and major parts are Made in Japan.

'CR' stands for carbon fiber barrel and rack & pinion focusing system.

Camera mount adapters and other camera components are sold separately.

Main Features

Model Name	BORG 90FL Telescope Set
Product Code	6390
Focal Length, mm	500
Focal Ratio	f/5.6
Min. Length, mm	420
Weight, g	2900
Filter Size, mm	82

Available to order

$Televue TV-76 OTA Refractor Telescope$

Televue TV-76 OTA Refractor Telescope

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$3,830.00

The Tele Vue 76 OTA expansive 5.5° rich-field drizzles your view with delicate jewel-like stars, while the APO performance of the Nagler designed, fully multi-coated 2-element objective and 2″ Everbrite diagonal produce natural stellar and planetary color rendition even at the highest useful powers.

Small size and lighter weight permit the use of lighter-duty tripods for easy field carrying and transportation. The padded shoulder bag provides protection and room for the scope and six eyepieces.

If your interests crossover from astronomical to spotting or birding, and you demand the ultimate in portable performance the Tele Vue-76 is always waiting to deliver.

New Accessory Kit from Tele Vue includes the following items

EDE-18.2 18.2mm Tele Vue DeLite eyepiece

RS3-8003 3″ Ring Mount

APB-1008 Telescope Balance Aid

DSF-8002 2″ 90° Tele Vue Everbrite – Satin

ASF-8125 2″ – 1.25″ Adapter – Satin Hi-Hat

TV-76 OTA Specifications

Type	APO (Doublet) Refractor (Elements/Groups: 2/1)
Objective (mm)	76
Focal Length (mm)	480
Focal Ratio (f/#)	6.3
Drawtube/Focuser	2-inch, Focusmate dual-speed rack/pinion
Length OTA (inch)	14.5
Length with diagonal (inch)	17.4 (with 2-inch diagonal)
Weight OTA/Std. Config (lbs)	5.1 / 7
Maximum Visual Field (deg.)	5.5° (with 2-inch 55mm Plössl)
Maximum Recommended Power (x)	200

TV-76 Soft Case Specifications

The custom fitted case fits TV-76.
Dual hand-carry straps with padded palm closure.
Adjustable shoulder strap with pad.
Dual zippers on the lid.
Ring Mount, Digital Indicator, and Starbeam friendly.
Foam cutouts for Starbeam, 1 x 1¼” or 2″ eyepiece, and 3 x 1¼” eyepiece.
Approximate maximum exterior dimensions (excluding handles and strap): 20 x 9 x 6-inches (51 x 23 x 15-cm).
Approximate empty weight: 1.75-lb (0.8-kg).

SKU: WXO-3065

Reviews

From Birder’s World roundup of fifteen birding scopes (including Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon, Kowa, Pentax, Leica, and Questar) by Stephen Ingraham

"Tele Vue-76 offers the sharpest view of any field scope I have ever used, effortlessly reaching powers and distances that are well beyond the capability of any conventional scope. When I am out in the field with it, I always gather a long line of people waiting to see what the bird really looks like.”

— Ingraham, S. “Sizing Up Scopes”. Birder’s World (Feb. 2004).

Excerpts from David Healy’s Astronomy review of September 2002

When used as a rich-field scope for deep-sky viewing, the TV 76 excels. With a long focus eyepiece in the 2-inch diagonal, the scope offers impressive views of “showpiece” objects that are too large in angular diameter to fit into the smaller fields of view of larger telescopes. Under a dark Arizona sky, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) shows its full 3° extent, including its central dust lanes and two companion galaxies — M32 and NGC 205. Dozens of stars in the Pleiades cluster look like sparkling diamonds scattered on black velvet.

— Healy, D. “Have Scope Will Travel”. Astronomy (Sept. 2002). Full Review.

Birding review excerpt from Better View Desired / Reference Standard Tele Vue 76mm APO article

The view through it puts all the standard scopes in the shade. It is as bright, as sharp, as detailed as we have come to expect from Tele Vue products. I have had it out in the field on a regular basis over the past few months and it never fails to provide an impressive view of the bird.— “Tele Vue 76 mm APO”. Better View Desired (March 2002). Full Review.

Available to order

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