Apex 127 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
Product Code: 22
Our Price: $419.00
Description
- Bright views of star clusters and nebulas and stunning lunar and planetary detail
- 127mm aperture and 1540mm focal length put this telescope in a league of its own
- Does not include tripod - can be purchased separately
- Includes one eyepiece, finder scope, diagonal, case, and FREE Starry Night astronomy software
- One-year limited warranty
In terms of what you can see, bigger telescopes are better. But bigger scopes also require bulkier, heavier mounts to keep them stable, and consequently, an equally brawny owner to lug it around—not to mention more storage space.
Enter the Apex 127. It boasts big 127mm (5")-diameter optics but in a tube that's a fraction of the length (just 15" long!) and weight (8.6 lbs.) of a Newtonian reflector or refractor of similar aperture and focal length. That's the beauty of its Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design—it's so wonderfully portable.
And it's those same high-performance optics that give the Apex 127 Mak such outstanding image quality and such an incredible range of uses for the demanding observer. It gulps in 55% more light through its multi-coated, 5" meniscus lens than that of a 4" scope, putting it in the big leagues for astronomical observation and advanced nature study. And its long 1540mm (f/12.1) focal length provides 62x magnification with the included 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (1.25"), and lets you push the power up to 250x with optional eyepieces! Bright views of star clusters and nebulas at low power, stunning lunar and planetary detail at higher power—it's all in a night's work for the Apex 127.
And as a daytime spotting scope, no instrument is more capable, especially in low-light conditions. It couples quickly to any sturdy equatorial mount or photo-style tripod (we recommend our Paragon-Plus XHD tripod, #5360) thanks to a built-in 1/4"-20 adapter plate. Mounting and disassembly are a snap.
Quality is evident not only in the optics, but also in the black-anodized aluminum front and rear castings, the smooth-turning focus knob, and the extruded aluminum tube, with a classy, metallic-burgundy finish. The 6x26 achromatic, correct-image finder scope features a quick-release aluminum bracket with a dovetail base and two-screw X-Y alignment. The 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece slips into a 45° correct-image prism diagonal, also included. You might also be interested to know that the T-threads on the eyepiece adapter allow attachment of a 35mm camera body (with optional T-ring) to the scope for telephoto photography.
And if all that weren't enough, we include a fully padded, nylon/polyester carrying case, which has plenty of room for additional accessories in the zippered side pockets.
Unencumbered with complicated gadgetry like you find on competing models, the Orion Apex 127 offers hassle-free, big-aperture performance and convenient portability, at a price that's too good to pass up! One-year limited warranty.
Need help choosing a telescope? Download our Telescope Buyer's Guide!
Email a question about this item