Apogee 4" Widestar

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Brand and Model:Apogee 4" Widestar
Price ($USD):$895.00
Type:Achromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:102mm (4")
f Ratio:f/6.4
Focal Length:640mm
Finder:none supplied
Electric Power:NA
Mount:none supplied
Tripod:none supplied
Weight (lbs):7 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):22" long, 5" diam.
Description:Apogee's 4" ƒ6.4 (640mm f.l.) WIDESTAR Refractor Telescope. The WideStar is just right for photography & wide-field viewing. Specs: 4" ƒ6.4 MgF² Coated Achromat, Fully Baffled, 2" Internal R & P Focuser, Focus Lock, 2" to 1.25" Adapter, 1.25" Star Diagonal, 1.25" 25mm Plössl Eyepiece & Polished & Black Anodized Aluminum Tube & Cell.

Apogee Inc. Scopes Page

Vote Highlights Vote
Apogee 4" Widestar
Not a scope for the apo diehard "oh my gosh a trace of color" crowd but a very nice scope for the rest of us. The lens is, I believe, from the folks who make objectives for Vixen. The Widestar tube is a nicely made hefty all aluminum optical tube assembly with a nice, moderately adjustable (for collimation) one piece objective cell that incorporates the dew shield. The focuser is an internal rack and pinion setup with a single knob protruding through the main tube ala the brass refractors from the 19th century. It is a nice touch that I happen to like. The focuser is also a 2" unit that is quite smooth in operation though mine did have a bit of backlash to it, which was later cured by shiming.

Optically I have been very pleased with my original Widestar. Yes there is secondary color but not something I find overly objectionable. Stars at focus are nice tiny points with a couple of faint defraction rings. On the gas giants there is a bit of loss of contrast as the magnification moves past 150x due to the secondary color but a light yellow or green filter takes care of most of that to enhance the contrast. M42 under even moderate skies is a stunning sight. The secondary color is only seen on bright objects so DSO's are a delight with this handy package. My Widestar is mounted on an alt/az mount and it is typically the scope I pull out for a short to moderate length evening observing session. If the sky appears to be exceptionally nice then I may go ahead and set up the VX120 on Great Polaris mount but typically keep the Widestar close by. What else can I say? I think the original Widestar is an underated scope, mainly because it came out about the same time the inexpensive Chinese refractors started to hit the US shores. But it is very well built and optically a gem for a fast achromat.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39756

Apogee 4" Widestar
I bought the achromat alone. For a short focus four inch achromat, I've seen none better. In fact, it is the best I've seen. I use a Siebert 7mm eyepiece at 90X and get very little color fringing(A term i shall coin: purpling). I would recommend the optics to anyone.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=308034

Apogee 4" Widestar
[Note: Vote moved from description by webmaster]

Only airline-portable 4" refractor at this price point. Shows colour on bright objects, but optics overall very good, despite simple MgFl coatings. Focuser has a bit of stiction, and freeplay. Machining pretty good otherwise.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=142142

Apogee 4" Widestar
See scope details field

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39755

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