Starwave 70ED Refractor Solar Eclipse Telescope Package

This package is designed specifically for solar observation during the 2026 eclipse and other solar needs, featuring a 3D-printed solar film cap to capture the Sun.

Check out this video by Simon Astro showing off this scope

Featuring ED optics for improved colour rendition, the travel-friendly Altair Starwave 70mm F6 ED Doublet refractor can be taken anywhere.

This is the 2024 version with FPL53 Flouro-Crown Glass ED element for better colour correction than previous versions, plus a higher quality geared focuser. Colour correction and detail for astrophotography is excellent. Check out this independent review showing performance with Altair Hypercam 533C Camera: 

The optical tube folds down to just under 30cm length with the dew-shield retracted, and weighs about 2kg.

The Starwave 70ED is capable of both visual observation and wide-field astrophotography, so you can expand your interests in astronomy.

The dual speed rack and pinion focuser is easily able to carry a DSLR or medium size CCD camera without slipping and is fully tension-adjustable. Fine focus is easy to achieve with the brass coloured dual speed 1:10 ratio thumbwheel. The focuser can also be fully automated using a 3rd party motor focuser for astro imaging.

Reasons to buy the Starwave 70ED over cheaper optical tubes in the 70-72mm size range:

• Very good photographic performance with better colour correction an Bokeh than some ED lenses costing a lot more. Colour aberration is so well controlled, it's invisible at normal observing powers, and at this level, many manufacturers would call this telescope an "APO".
• Flat-field fast focal ratio F4.8 imaging is possible with the optional 0.8x field flattener/reducer.
• Quality Rack and Pinion Geared focuser all-metal with 1:10 ratio micro-focusing knob. The focuser has 3 thumbscrews for astro photography and a brass compression ring so your diagonal barrels aren't marred.
• All metal. No plastic parts, anywhere in this product.
• You won't find anything like these quality accessories in other packages - they would have to be bought separately.
• Retractable metal dew shield for compact transport and quick setup.
• The optical tube rotates independently of the rings for easier framing.
• Optional Quality 17mm flat field eyepiece with large rear lens for easy eye placement and comfortable viewing. 
• Lens cell tuned at factory and guaranteed to arrive in collimation, giving razor sharp views with no visible secondary colour.
• The optional star-diagonal mirror is of high quality with ultra-durable 99% reflective dielectric coatings. It will not tarnish, and can be cleaned frequently without damaging the mirror surface.

Description of the above components:

• Starwave 70mm F6 ED Doublet optical tube with retractable dew-shield.
• 2" Dual Speed Rack and Pinion Geared focuser, 3x thumbscrews and brass compression ring for holding heavy accessories.
• The 1.25" Dielectric Diagonal has 99% reflective coatings.
• The Wide field 17mm Eyepiece gives 25x magnification, with 65° Field of View (FOV), 16mm Eye Relief, 1.25" barrel and dust caps.
• A 2"-1.25" Push-Fit Adapter with brass compression ring is included with the optical tube.
• The optical tube has a front aluminium dust cap, and rear plastic dust cap.
• The optical tube has a metal mounting ring (rotatable) and dovetail base with standard 1/4-20" threaded "photo tripod format" holes, so you can use the scope with a camera tripod or attach it to the Altair 150mm / 6" Dual Vixen Arca-format dovetail bar. Search Product code: VABAR-150
• Carry case with strap, padded foam inserts, and space for accessories. * (FREE item - see note at bottom of page)
• Dust cloth for eyepiece and RDF, two allen keys for adjustment of the RDF reticule and for mounting it to the metal finder stalk.

Mount choices: Due to it's compact size, this is an ideal telescope to use with small mounts: The Skywatcher Star Adventurer, iOptron Sky Guider, iOptron Cube PRO, or the iOptron Smart EQ PRO GOTO mounts. If you don't want to bother with 12volt power in the field, and enjoy just sweeping around the sky or land, the Altair Mini-AZ mount is the ideal choice for the Starwave 70ED. By the way, you don't even have to buy an astronomical mount right off to enjoy the heavens, because the Starwave 70 ED fits directly to a standard photo tripod out of the box, having two Standard 1/4 thread photo tripod holes underneath the dovetail base. 

Astro imaging or terrestrial photography with the Starwave 70ED: A smooth dual speed "non-slip" Rack and Pinion focuser is supplied, with 1:10 ratio microfocuser, able to carry a full weight DSLR or CMOS camera such as the Altair Hypercam PRO series. The Rack and Pinion gear eliminates slippage and increases the focuser's carrying capacity to about 3.5KG, which is more than enough for a DSLR or Astro camera and filter-wheel. The ED Doublet lens system features a special ED glass element, which results in less colour aberrations in the final image.