Altair Starwave 110ED-R refractor
110ED-R refractor
A portable telescope that delivers detailed views at an enjoyable resolution
he Altair Starwave 110ED-R refractor is a welcome update to Altair’s established product range, the ‘R’ indicating an upgraded rack and pinion focuser with additional features for an improved experience. Indeed, the improved construction and finish stays true to the reputation of Starwave’s telescopes, with smoothly machined fittings and flat silver trimmings, complemented by a luxurious, metallic white paint job. The solid look and feel of the tube assembly has been achieved with the reduction of excessive weight in mind; we were pleasantly surprised about how manageable the telescope was to lift from its aluminium padded case. It was also reassuring to discover – after lugging weighty refractors around over the years – that the 6.8kg Starwave 110ED-R represents an ideal compromise between aperture and portability, offering a large enough 110mm doublet lens for viewing at an enjoyable resolution, while being easy to transport in its protective case.
We found that the balance and length of the Starwave made it an easy fit when it was attached to our EQ mount – sitting neatly in a central position
– as the lens cell and focuser are just 60cm apart.
TThis in turn translates into a more comfortable viewing experience for observing objects at a range of altitudes. The upgraded focuser – with its rack and pinion design – makes focusing smooth and precise, while the 1:10 gearing allows easy fine-focusing when the system is used at high magnification. The whole assembly is rotatable, and rather than thumbscrews to hold your eyepiece or camera, a simple twist ‘Positive Lock’ system is employed. Indeed, once it was tightened and locked in place, we didn’t have to worry that this might work loose and release its valuable payload.
Spotting lunar details
For our first viewing session we concentrated on a bright waxing Moon – using our Tele Vue Delos 4.5mm eyepiece – and worked with a magnification of 170x to scan the craters and features near the terminator. It proved to be a rewarding experience, with sharp lunar details along the crater edges and sides. Shadows cast by taller craters and central peaks were crisp and clean, while clearly defined edges within and behind the crater walls indicated the jagged nature of the rims, which are not always as obvious. Enjoying this spell of good seeing we >