Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS

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Brand and Model:Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
Price ($USD):$3480.00
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:105mm (4.1")
f Ratio:f/6
Focal Length:600mm
Finder:None
Electric Power:None
Mount:None
Tripod:None
Weight (lbs):9 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):5"x19"
Description:Note, this is an OTA only.

Comes with 2.7" focuser with 2" and 1.25" adapters.


Company 7's Astrophysics Traveler Page

Vote Highlights Vote
Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
I've owned 2 Travelers over the past 2 years or so. The second one was superb optically (about 1/7th wave), the first one was only about 1/3 wave. Even with that the images were superb for a 4" scope. Colorfree on all the brightest stars and planets. In comparision to my previous Tak 102, and FSQ, I would say that the overall image quality was extremely close...When you throw in a Vixen C4.5 reflector, the order of image quality was from worst to best, C4.5, FS102, Traveler, and then FSQ. Believe it or not..the reflector image held it's own when compared to the refractors, on both planets and deep sky...it was last, but did not lose by much. In fact careful side by side comparisions with premium UO abbe orthos and Vixen widefields were needed to see a difference at all. I'd say the 4.5 was a major value in comparision to the refractors.
The major advantages of the Traveler are: compact enough for airline travel, ease of use and maintainence, and widefield capability. It's good for planets, excellent for widefield deep sky viewing, and really excels for double stars. As any good refractor it produces an asthetically pleasing image that is hard to deny.
It's light enough to use on a variety of mounts, and can even be used on a heavy duty photo tripod to increase it's portability.
Ease of setup with an equatorial mount is no better than many other scopes, including 8" equatorially mounted SCTs, and 6-7" MacCassegrains. Of which the larger apertures are prefered in most instances. Both Travelers performed at the level of a good 6" reflector, SCT or MacCass on planets and almost as good on deep sky objects. This became much more apparent at higher magnifications (>175x). Images were not as bright and less detailed due to the aperture difference. When compared to even larger instruments the differences became much greater, with aperture being the victor in each instance. An EL11, and a C9.25 beat both travelers handily on planets and deepsky. No matter what scope was used. An increase in image detail and contrast allways followed the order of aperture increase. With rare exceptions. The 4" was always last.
In my opinion, the Traveler is a niche type scope...it fills specific observer needs, and would rarely be a primary go to instrument. I feel a scope in the 6-10" range is more appropriate. As a final conclusion: The Traveler is very well made...like all premium instruments it gives a "pride of ownership" that is hard to beat (at least at first). This does tend to wear off over time, and I found myself using larger aperture instruments for general viewing. It is expensive and I feel if you must have a refractor then a Vixen 102ED (which I still own) is a better value. It gives about 95% of the performance without the high price tag. For the $2900 and the $2000 or more for the mount, you could easily get 2 scopes that would give you much more versitility. This is unless you have a specific need for this scope and/or deep pockets...

Overall Rating: 6
Optics:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:4
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=80749

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
Excellent wide field portable refractor that handles high magnification very well.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=471559

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
I've spent a lifetime on the Traveler notification list, with no end in sight. Well, life is short, and I've found a used Traveler of 1999 vintage. The long cold winter has not provided a single night of relaxed observing. The Traveler has been used mostly for wildlife observing, and I've taken memorable pictures to record the experience. The Traveler is not built up from a 'small' design, with compromises to compactness and light weight -- AP has carefully downsized a full-blown 4" refractor. Everything is there -- triplet objective, 2.7" focuser, baffling, dew shield, etc. Accessories fit the Traveler just as well as the larger scopes. These components add up to a beefy scope, but everything has a sense of purpose. I don't perform special tests to evaluate optics. Having been around EDFs for a number of years, I know the real thing when I see it.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=348593

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
The Traveler is superb in every respect. Bulletproof construction, great optics, highly portable...it defines quality. It's also expensive and hard to get. Nevertheless, it's a great scope, almost as much fun to look at as look through. For purely visual use, the Tak FS 102 is probably just as good optically, and the Tak is much less expensive...and available! But it lacks the Traveler "mystique". If you care about such things, then the Traveler is worth the price.
RM

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=135154

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
Superb telescope. Optics are, of course, first rate. This has got to be one of the most versatile scopes out there. From wide angle stellar views to closeups of saturn... You can't go wrong with this scope. I've yet to find its magnification limit. I suspect the atmosphere will generally limit magnification before the optics will. Another reason I purchased this scope was for its breathtaking photographic capabilities. In summary...I totally agree w/ the previous post... If you haven't gotten on the 1-2 yr waiting list, do it! Otherwise you'll be kicking yourself two years down the road when you get
an opportunity to look through a friends! This is one of those scopes you don't
need to 'try before you buy'.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37518

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
I have owned TeleVue and TMB. I have used the Taks and now I have the best. The Traveler is without question the best 4" APO on the market. The contrast is better than either the TeleVue or the TMB. It shows absolutely zero color on the limb of the moon, Vega and Jupiter. To be fair, neither did my TMB. The size and weight make it much more versatile and easier to haul around than any other "premium" 4" APO. The focuser on the AP is the most precise and smooth focuser made bar none. My quest for the best 4" APO is over.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37516

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
No other single instrument can combine the portability, planetary
performance, wide field views, and versatility of wide-field
astrophotography. The price is a bargain for what you get.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37515

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
Stars are sharp points on a very black background. Contrast is excellent, lots of subtle detail visible on Jupiter and Saturn. Many close double stars are easy with this scope. Open clusters look almost three dimensional and brighter globulars are partially resolved in average light polluted skies. Use this scope on a Televue Upswing Mount on a Bogen 3258 Tripod. Very stable and easy to setup. Balance is possible if using the AP 10" slide bar and pushing the tube all the way forward in the tube rings.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37503

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
I've had mine (EDF) for more than four years. A first-class scope in every way. Works well on a GM-8 or Gibraltar mount.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37500

Astro-Physics Traveler 105 EDFS
There are three things I value in my life. My wife, my daughter and my Traveler. There are times when the Traveler is clearly number one! It is as rugged and well made scope as you could possibly purchase. When it arrived from Company Seven and I took it out for a shakedown my wife thought that I had put a picture of Saturn in front of the scope! And the ability to break it down quickly and put it in that wonderful carrying case they supply is great for someone like me who has to steal moments (did I mention my daughter is three) to get out and see anything. And, it appears to have been a terrific investment to boot! All in all I could not have picked a more perfect scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37492

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