Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 AZ3 - 3.5″ Achromatic Refractor

Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 AZ3: The Classic Entry-Level Refractor

The Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 AZ3 is an achromatic refractor with a 90mm aperture and 900mm focal length (f/10) on a simple AZ3 alt-azimuth mount. The doublet lens corrects most chromatic aberration, and the long focal length provides steady, high-contrast images. It's the telescope people imagine, and it works.

What do you see through the Evostar-90?

The moon shows sharp craters and mountain ranges with the typical high contrast. Jupiter reveals its cloud bands and four large moons, Saturn its rings. Double stars are a specialty: sharp, steady points of light. Bright star clusters like the Pleiades fit nicely in the field of view; faint nebulae require more aperture.

AZ3: Move as you think

The alt-azimuth mount moves side-to-side and up-and-down, exactly the way your intuition expects. No counterweights, no alignment: set it down and start observing. With the included 25 mm (36x) and 10 mm (90x) eyepieces and the 6x30 finderscope, the set is complete right from the first night.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Almost no cool-down time A refractor lens reaches operating temperature within 10 to 15 minutes, much faster than a mirror telescope. Ideal for short sessions.
• Know what an achromat is: around very bright objects like Venus or the moon's edge, you'll see a thin purplish-blue fringe. That's characteristic of this lens design, it's visually quickly noticeable, and it's the reason why these types of apertures are affordable. For photography, it's the reason to consider an ED refractor.
• Magnification: The 10mm eyepiece gives 90x; 6 mm planetary eyepiece (150x) brings out maximum planetary detail.
• Never look directly at the sun without protection., not even: this is doubly true for a refractor. Only with a certified solar filter on the front.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello If you want the classic, calm refractor image: sharp stars, high contrast on the moon and planets and zero maintenance (no collimation, closed tube). Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners Place the types side by side.

Not For faint deep-sky objects, a reflector telescope offers more aperture per euro. If you want to track with fine adjustment at high magnifications, choose the EQ2 or EQ3-2 mount for this same optics. Deep-sky photography belongs in the smart telescopes or an ED refractor; taking photos of the moon with a smartphone adapter is actually quite rewarding at these long focal lengths.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Moon Filter 25%: The moon is bright in a refractor of this caliber. The Omegon Moon Filter 25% (1.25 inches) dims the light and increases the contrast. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
• A 6mm planetary eyepiece: the Sky-Watcher 6mm Planetary UWA Eyepiece provides this telescope with 150x magnification for maximum planetary detail. If you want to go one step further, there is also the 5 mm version (180x).
• Smartphone adapter: clip your phone to the eyepiece for surprisingly good moon photos. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
• Carrier bag The refractortas 100/900 fits this tube exactly. Look at the carrier bags.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 Optical Tube
• AZ3 mount with tripod
• 25 mm eyepiece (36x) and 10 mm eyepiece (90x)
• 6×30 optical viewfinder

Honest advice from observers

We sell and use the Sky-Watcher line ourselves. In our Sky-Watcher merk Guide We'll explain which series are strong and which you'd rather skip. View the full range on our Sky-Watcher merk Page. Order before 11:59 PM for fast delivery, in the Netherlands and Belgium.