Gallery

APO140FL F/7 on a Panther160 Mount

APO140FL F/7 Opened Front

TEC’s most popular telescope

TEC Telescope Size Comparison

APO140FL F/7 Objective Lenses

APO140FL F/7 with Dovetail Plate and Handle Inside of Case

Clear aperture 140mm

Focal Length 980mm

Optician Nicholai Petrunin Standing beside a retracted APO200FL F/8

Dimensions of APO200FL F/8

APO160FL F/7 Front View

APO160FL F/7

Inside of the APO160FL F/7

Slightly larger than the TEC APO140FL

An extension of the highly popular APO140FL

Oil-spaced triplet design

APO160FL F/7

APO180FL F/7 Front View

APO180FL F/7 on the AP900GTO Mount

APO180FL F/7 Retracted in the 180FL Transportation Case

APO160FL has excellent color correction

Image of Antares Courtesy of Tim Wetherell Taken with the APO180FL F/7

APO180FL F/7 Specs

Our largest portable refractor

Air-spaced doublet design

A super planetary telescope

APO160FL F/11 – Yellow Submarine

APO200FL F/11 with ADC and TEC Turret

APO200FL F/11

APO200FL with ADC and MarkV binoviewer

APO200FL F/11 doublet can be mounted with a 19″ Losmandy Plate and Handle

APO250VT F/8.8 Front View

Image of the moon's surface captured using the APO250VT F/8.8

Set of Glass for the APO250VT F/8.8

APO250VT F/8.8 on the GM3000 Mount at the 2017 NEAF Exhibition.

APO250VT F/8.8 in use at a South Korean Observatory.

APO250VT F/8.8 on the GM3000 Mount at the 2015 Winter Star Party

TEC APO250VT F/8.8 used for atrophotography at a California College.

APO250VT F/8.8 Prototype

AP Mounted APO140ED F/7

APO200FL F/8 – Discontinued

APO180FL F/7

Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector (ADC)

Built to order by Martin Gutekunst, the ADC can be used with any TEC telescope model. For additional information please visit the ADC User’s Manual. Free shipping is included for this item within the Continental U.S.A. A personal favorite of Yuri Petrunin, the Gutekunst Compact Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector allows visual observers to view planets along the Earth’s horizon with diminished atmospheric interference. TEC recommends this product be purchased with the ADC Adapter Set.

APO140FL F/7 Bino on exhibition

Yuri holds an APO140FL F/7 Bino

Dual Focusers for Bino Setup

Dual Focusers

Left to Right Telescope Comparisons

The King: APO250VT F/8.8 Binocular

Mounted TEC 300VT-7DEG

TEC 300VT-7DEG

VT300 Wide Field Camera

First image provided by the VT300 (2014)

TEC APO300VT Refractor Objective

Dovetail Plate

Available in 9" and 12". The TEC Dovetail Plate features a lightweight and effortless design. because of the short length, the plate is lighter than average and will not catch when the front baffle is retracted for storage or transport. The TEC Dovetail Plate is compatible with losmandy, WYO, and Casady Saddle systems and is installed with two 8-32 security screws on both ends of the plate to prevent slipping. The 9″ Dovetail option fits especially well with the APO140FL F/7 and pairs with the 9″ Carry Handle. The 12″ Dovetail option fits especially well with the APO160FL F/7 and pairs with the 12″ Carry Handle.

Transportation Case APO180FL F/7

Constructed in the USA, the TEC Hard Case is packed with a hard-foam interior that has pre-cut sections for a snug fit. The hard exterior ensures optimal protection of the APO180FL during transport while maintaining a combined weight that is less than 80lbs. It effortlessly accomodates the following accessories when attached to the APO180FL; Tube Rings, 12” Dovetail Plate, 12″ Carrying Handle, a Finderscope, a 2” AP Diagonal, and up to five 2” eyepieces.

Transportation Case APO140FL F/7

Constructed in Germany, the TEC hard Case is made out of lightweight Aluminum and packed with a hard-foam interior that has pre-cut sections for a snug fit. The hard exterior ensures optimal protection of the APO140FL F/7 during transport while maintaining a combined weight that is less than 40lbs. It effortlessly accommodates the following accessories when attached to the APO140FL F/7; Tube Rings, 9” Dovetail Plate, 9″ Carrying Handle, a Finderscope, a 2” AP Diagonal, and up to five 2” eyepieces. The dimensions for the TEC hard Case for the TEC APO140Fl are as follows; 36x13x10.

Finder Bracket and Base Set

The TEC Finder Bracket and Base is easy to install, sturdy in its construction, and seamlessly fitted to any TEC telescope. It comprises four components; a Finder base, a spring loaded set screw, a Finder Arm, and a Finder holder. Together the bracket and base can hold any traditional 50mm optical finder and red dot sight. By using spring loaded screw and a female threaded insert installed into the body of the finderscope, small guide scope, or red dot sight, the Finder Bracket and Base Set is able to seamlessly secure the instrument to the holder and bracket arm. The spring loaded screw is then secured with a screw cover to ensure that it does not loosen. TEC recommends that when available the Finder Bracket and Base Set be ordered with a finderscope. In this way, TEC can prepare and install the Bracket System to the finderscope. If that is not an option, TEC recommends sending the instrument to be used to our facility so that the insert can be installed. TEC does not recommend using the Finder Bracket and Base Set with any guide scope or finderscope that exceeds these parameters: Max Length = 10″, Max Diameter = 2.5″, Max Weight = 1.5 lbs.

Baader 10×60 Vario Finderscope w/ Illuminated Prism

The baader vario 10×60 Finder is a multipurpose piece of equipment. It is a finderscope that also functions as a guider, a rich-field scope, and a telephoto lens. It is able to be mounted onto a tripod on its own, or mounted onto a telescope for more accurate viewing. The lens on the vario Finder is based on the Carl-zeiss C-lens and is tested to give minimal interference at high magnification.

ADC Adapter Set

TEC is now offering the Baader 2″/T-2 Nosepiece and the Blue Fireball 2″ /T-2 Adapters for the Gutekunst Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector (ADC). The Baader 2″/T-2 Nosepiece seamlessly connects to the ADC Female thread to connect the ADC to the telescope body. The Blue Fireball 2″/T2 Adapter then connects to the ADC Male thread and the eyepiece or camera. Also available for purchase separately.

1.25″ Astro-Physics Eyepiece Adapter

It slips into a 2″ opening and is used for 1.25″ accessories. It features a brass locking ring and is threaded for 48 mm filters.

Focal Reducer Corrector (FRC) 0.9x

Produced in house, the Field Reducer Corrector, flattens the field of telescopic viewing and reduces the focal ratio by .9x: decreasing it from F/7 to F/6.3. Compared to a Field Flattener, the FRC will have small vignetting in the corners of FOW (~10%). Designed to cover an image circle ø 51mm, or 36x36mm, making it perfect for deep space astro-photography. The FRC is available for all models and fits with the FTF#3545 Starlight Focuser. Available for use with all TEC Telescopes. Please specify the telescope to be used with the FRC when the order is placed.

APO160FL F/7 Compact Carry Case

Light and durable, the TEC Compact Case will keep its cargo safe, while being easy to transport. Made in the USA and in coordination with Tenba, this nylon exterior case was built with the APO160FL in mind. Weighing only 6 lbs (2.2 kg), this case is a perfect addition to the observer’s arsenal. The exterior dimensions (40″ x 9″ x 9″) fits airline checked luggage dimensions and the interior (39″ x 8″ x 8″) gives the APO160FL a snug fit with enough extra space for accessories. The hard sides and nylon exterior protect your telescope from all manner of wind, rain, and abrasions. The zippered access pockets in the interior of the case allow for greater customization in the wall padding of the case. An adjustable shoulder strap and hand straps make carrying your telescope comfortable and easy. The TEC Compact Case can also be lifted from the lengthwise handles on either side and features a front pocket for extra storage.

Vixen 7×50 Illuminated Finderscope

This straight finderscope has fully Multi-Coated optics with a fine reticule. Enjoy hours observing through this finderscope and its rich field viewer. For customizable focus, the finderscope features an illuminated cross hair and a front locking ring. The field of view is 7°. It includes a CR2032 battery.

Finder Base

The Finder base uses two 8-32 screws to attach to the focuser. When attaching the finder base to the focuser housing, check that the screws are the proper length. Failure to do so may result in damage to the anodized surface of the focuser housing. Please contact TEC with any questions regarding the length of the finder base screws.

Eyepiece Turret

Back by popular demand, the TEC Eyepiece Turret makes exchanging eyepieces simple. Install up to 5 of your favorite 1.25″ eyepieces in the order of increased focal length with the included Baader ClickLock Eyepiece Clamp 1.25″ and discover the next level of observing. The Clicklock Eyepiece Clamps will also feature an adjustable top with a 6..5mm range, so all eyepieces will be par-focal and no need to refocus between the eyepieces. The TEC Eyepiece Turret has a maximum weight capacity of 5 lbs. The turret also comes with a Condition 1 foam lined case available in black and orange. Please call to check availability.

TEC Eyepiece Turret Case

The turret also comes with a Condition 1 foam lined case available in black and orange.

ADC Limited Trial Program

For clients that want to try the ADC prior to purchase, TEC offers a 30-Day Limited Trial Program. Due to the limited production of the ADC, a wait time may apply. In that case, TEC will not require a deposit and will notify our clients when it is available.

NGC2170

Taken with a 2005 APO200FL by Tim Hutchison

M106

Taken with a 2005 APO200FL by Tim Hutchison

M51

Taken with a 2005 200FL by Tim Hutchison