TeleVue 85


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Brand and Model:TeleVue 85
Price ($USD):$1995.00
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:85mm (3.3")
f Ratio:f/7
Focal Length:600mm
Finder:
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):8 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):21.5 " length
Description:Ed Ting's Review

Vote Highlights Vote
TeleVue 85
Having a Ranger for the past year, I knew I'd really like the TV-85. I just didn't know how much!
This scope is so clear and bright on both celestial and terrestrial objects, it's hard to describe it accurately.
On a good, steady night, detail on Jupiter, Saturn and the moon is quite astonishing for 85mm. I've had the scope up to
200x on the above objects with no problem at all, but that only on good night. Realistically, in my skies in Manhattan, 150-175x
is a more useable power. Splitting doubles is huge fun. Castor looks like a pick-up's headlights
coming at you on a country road at 200x. Nature viewing with the TV-85 is also quite an experience. I've found I even enjoy it more that I would have thought. Even looking at common birds
like Jays and Juncos is like seeing them for the first time. Not to mention hawks and waterfowl. The Ranger is a great little scope, but the optics on the TV-85 are simply in another league.
This scope is not cheap, but it is worth every penny! If you're on the fence about shelling outthis kind of dough (like I was), just buy it! I guarantee you won't regret it!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=76293


TeleVue 85
I bought the brass TV85 and a Panoramic mount. This replaced a C8 Plus which I found to be to bothersome to lug around and set up. The TV85 fills the bill. Optically, it is superb. The brass model on the dark walnut mount look great on display in our house. It is easy to bring in and out so it gets used a lot more that the old C8. The mount is very good, but I did not give it a 10 because I think the wood legs could be a tad thicker. Nevertheless, I am not complaining. I'm very happy that I bought this scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66297


TeleVue 85
If you want a wide field of view, this is the scope to get. Sure makes finding stuff a lot easier. Alt azimuth mounts are
also highly convenient. I can pick up the scope and mount and
move it to the other side of where I am sitting to view the other
part of the sky. Talk about easy to use. The eyepiece caddy is worth
getting. Great for doubles and clusters in light polluted areas.
One advantage of a premium refractor like this one is little or no cool down
so you are observing right away.

I would also recommend the book: Messier Marathon by Harvard Pennington.
Really good way to learn the constellations and makes finding objects to
look at a cinch. Once you know where they are, its a lot easier to find them
again. Great star hopping system. Go strait to it.

The sky tour computer would be a great addition as well for learning the
night sky with this telescope.




Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39124


TeleVue 85
Superb optics and portability combine to provide a magnificent "grab it and go" scope. A gem!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=115630


TeleVue 85
I would like to say that this telescope is the one of the most exciting things to happen to me in a long time....I have 3 pairs of bino's, a brand new Nikon F 100, and an 8" dob all competing for my time and this little fellow is getting ALL of it. Everything you have read on this site is true. The scope is so well made, you don't want to put it on the tripod...you want to just cradle it like a baby. The field of view and sharpness is unlike anything I have seen . It puts my Newt to shame when in focus...and yes...the contrast is different. Not quite as bright , but clearer.I got this scope to travel with and it's easy to pack and go. I went ahead and purchased the Gibraltar and the bag that goes with it. This is as stable as a rock with the TV85 and takes 2 minutes to set up.It has already been to Costa Rica and is going to Argentina and Chile this summer. As everyone else has said.....buy it now and don't think about the dollars....you'll spend them on something else not nearly as fun anyway!!!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82846


TeleVue 85
This telescope is a work of art both mechanically and visually. I've found when seeing permits the planetry views to be extremely sharp and contrasty. Under good seeing i've easily seen 8 bands on Jupiter, with excellent contrast and hints of detail within the bands. Saturn is stunning in this scope as well. Highly portable, highly crafted, Highly recommended!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39174


TeleVue 85
This scope is fantastic for a 85mm size aperture. Very good brightness and excellent contrast. The star test was near perfect on out of focus and perfect on in focus " which counts the most". On one good night I saw 4 moons of Saturn using direct vision and 5 moons with adverted vision (amazing).The optics are very sharp. TV 85 IS HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39173


TeleVue 85
I use my Televue 85 mainly as a daytime wildlife scope with fabulous results. I support it with a sturdy Bogen and the Telepod head. Slipping on my 35 mm camera converts my TV 85 into a tac sharp (to the corners) 600 mm lens. Try that with any other telescope! Here's to Al Nagler! Hoorah!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39172

>I use my Televue 85 mainly as a daytime wildlife scope with fabulous results. I support it with a sturdy Bogen and the Telepod head.  Slipping on my 35 mm camera converts my TV 85 into a tac sharp (to the corners) 600 mm lens. Try that with any other telescope! Here's to Al Nagler! Hoorah!

Just in case anyone is misled by that comment - one must assume that he/she is referring only to daytime photos of 3-D scenes. Because unless you also add an appropriate field-flattener/corrector (TeleVue supply them for a few hundred $ extra), you *won't* get 35mm astrophotos which are "sharp to the corners" with this or any other 2-element refractor.

TeleVue 85
I own just about every TeleVue telescope there is (take out the Genesis)
These views are incredible for 85mm aperture.
Apochromatic preformance is great.
I am again proud to own this TeleVue.


By the serious astronomer that voted the TV-102.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39171


TeleVue 85
After three and a half years it still is the scope that gathers the most photons. It travels well, and from dark sites it is really fantastic. I don't recommend Uncle Al's mounts, however: Get the Upswing head and a solid tripod from your local camara store. Works will with STVD from SBIG.

My eyepieces (YMMV): 35mm PO, 20mm N2, 12mm N4, 7mm N, 4.8mm N.

GammaBoo
Rockville, MD

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39170

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