The Triplet Géar 115mm of Starfield Optics is beautiful to look at how to look. Credit: Starfield Optics
One of the most competitive segments in the amateur telescopes market these times extends over apocromatic refurators from 3 to 5 inches. Once the telescopes for the wealthy, these tools are now convenient for many Stargarezers in the courtyard. And one of the most recent companies to enter this market segment is Starfield Optics of Caledon, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.
Since it opened its doors in 2017, Starfield Optics has produced amateur equipment oriented largely towards astroimaging. In particular, the Géar line of apocrometic refractors of imaging, which ranges from a 2.4 -inch F/5 to the 4.5 -inch F/7 model revised here, has attracted a lot of attention in North America.
Recently, I had the opportunity to put their flagship, the hat -trick of Starfield Géar 115 Apo, during his steps.
First impressions
The telescope came safely directly from the manufacturer immersed in a case lined in a thick cardboard box. As soon as I looked for the custody and brought out the group of the optical tube, I was able to say that it was a well -built tool.
The tube itself is made of high quality aluminum, which offers a solid sensation keeping the weight manageable. The tube measures about 28 inches (710 millimeters) of length with the extendable dewrod shield and 35 inches (890 mm) when the shield is extended. The tube group weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms), light enough to transport for remote positions.
The heart of Géar 115mm is its triple apocrylomatic objective lens, which significantly reduces chromatic aberration (the color that is franking around the bright objects). The result are sharp images with excellent color loyalty. The lenses are completely multicore, which improves the transmission of light and minimizes internal reflections. Fix the goal and in the aluminum tube shows that the interior is completely blackened. Four internal deflectors minimize the stray light from intruiting the optical path.
Testing it to the test
Each Géar 115mm is provided with a complete optical test relationship to objectively demonstrate the quality of its objective lens. The sphere test report for this review showed that the goal had a low-peak wave error of 0.143 waves. In the world of telescope’s perspective, 0.25 waves are considered “limited to diffraction” performance (when a telescope has reached maximum sharpness and theoretical clarity that is possible for its opening).
Another measure for optical excellence is the Strehl relationship. A 1.0 Strehl ratio is considered optical perfection. Our Géar 115mm test came with an impressive Strehl ratio of 0.972.
Although I could not validate the values of the relationship, I can confirm that the perspective was excellent. When I performed a test by displaying the high -enhancement stars, the stars showed models of diffraction of the textbook. Furthermore, when I slightly moved my view to both sides of the focus, I was unable to detect any sign of astigmatism or chromatic aberration.
In addition to the exceptional perspective, this refractor also includes mechanical characteristics appreciated by visual observers and images. The 2.5-inch double-speed focus-e-pier, with its adapters included, accepts both the 1room “and 2” eyeballs and the star diagonals. The focuser’s movement was smooth and reactive without recourse. Its 10: 1 reduction gear makes it easy to reach focus. Focuster is also completely rotated and can be equipped with motor control.
The Géar 115mm includes well-processed CNC heavy tube rings and a Vixen tail queue bar for easy assembly on a wide range of equatorial and alt-azimut supports. A second ray on the top of the rings acts as a load handle. It also has five exploited holes. The central hole has a ¼ “-20 thread, while the others are threaded in Metric M6. In addition, the focuer of the telescope incorporates an assembly shoe of the Synta Standard style search.
I set the 115mm Géar on my German equatorial support and attacked my research area. All tests were performed by my suburban courtyard.
It’s time to play
The first object I looked at was the Moon Gibbous. The limb of our satellite is a narrative view through the refractors. When using lower quality tools, the lunar edge is sought with yellow and purple chromatic aberration, while a real apocromatic tool keeps it gray. And that’s exactly what I saw through the Géar 115mm, also with enlargements above 200x.
The two stars of Alpireo (Beta [β] Cygni), my favorite double star, showed a surprising golden and blue vibration. The Géar 115mm has also magnificently shown the quadruple trapezium system in the Orion nebula (M42). The sight removed my breath as I stared at the four blue-blue star sapphires who went down to the surrounding pinches of nebulosity. Even the belts of the atmosphere of Jupiter have shown themselves well, as well as the great red spot. Even the clouds of Saturn, which are much thinner, mentioned in delicate color variations.
The focal length of 805mm of Géar 115mm also makes this a large telescope for guided imaging. With this in mind, the company included an angular camera regulator. Allows the user to rotate the camera without affecting the focus, useful when you want to frame your image in a certain way.
For those who fight for the perfection of the image, a flattened is a must. For this, Starfield Optics sells separately an optional 0.8x adjustable reducer and a 1.0x flatteur. The former flattens the field to produce the star -tip -to -top images on the edge, also reducing the focal ratio AF/5.6. The flattener also creates flagship stars, but maintains the original focal length and the focal ratio. With or without the approach 1.0x, the actual visual field of Scopes in Prime Focus measures 2.6 ° x 1.7 ° on a full-frame camera sensor. The addition of the 0.8x adjustable reducer expands the field at 3.2 ° x 2.2 °.
An area of which you will be proud
The Starfield Optics Géar 115mm Triplet APO REFRESLACTOR offers an impressive combination of optical performance, construction quality and value. Although quality support and other accessories are required, its value remains exceptional.
This telescope adapts both to expert astronomers and to those who develop their skills. Use it for casual vision, then ramify in photography if you wish. It offers sharp images of the robust lunar surface, clear views of the planets and is excellent for deep goals.
In any case, its performances are comparable to more expensive models. I highly recommend Starfield Optics Géar 115mm Triplet Apo Refractor to anyone on the market for a high quality refractor who promises years of happy stars.
