Sky-Watcher Startravel-80 (OTA) - 80mm f/5 Refractor

Sky-Watcher Startravel-80 (OTA): the versatile mini-tube

The Sky-Watcher Startravel-80 OTA is the short 80/400 mm achromat (f/5) as a standalone optical tube: a favorite as a travel scope, as a rich-field scope alongside a larger telescope, and even as an affordable finder or autoguiding scope. Complete with eyepieces, Barlow lens, and finderscope; only a mount or sturdy photography tripod is still needed.

What do you see through a Startravel?

Vast star fields dotted with pinpricks of light, the Pleiades fully in view, the Milky Way stretching like a ribbon across a dark sky, and bright nebulae such as Orion surrounding them. The moon looks surprisingly good, and bright planets are visible at their largest. During the day, the diagonal prism turns it into a powerful nature viewer for birds and landscapes.

Rich Field: Heaven on a Grand Scale

Star travel refractors are built for broad use: short focal length, wide field of view, and plenty of light per observation. Entire constellations, vast star fields, the Pleiades in one view, and comet hunting: that's their territory. With an erect image diagonal, they also make excellent daytime binoculars. One thing they are intentionally not: high-magnification planet specialists.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Ready in ten minutes: A refractor lens has hardly any cooldown time, and the closed tube means no collimation. Set up and look.
• Know what a fast achromat is: At f/5, you'll see a distinct purple-blue edge around bright objects like Venus, Sirius, and the moon's edge. This is hardly noticeable in wide star fields, for which this lens was made; for high magnifications and photography, you'd choose an ED refractor. That's the honest agreement behind this price.
• Look up at the dark sky Correct, widefield viewing gains immensely with low light pollution; this is an excellent telescope to take along.
• Magnification: Eyepieces plus Barlow cover the range; above 80x the image becomes soft with 80 mm.
• Never look directly at the sun without protection., not even for a moment: only with a certified solar filter on the front.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello who is looking for a second, ultralight optical tube or a complete widefield optical setup for an existing mount.

Not For high-magnification planet detail, a Maksutov or long refractor is the better choice, and deep-sky photography suits an ED refractor or the smart telescopes. Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners Place the types side by side.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Moon Filter 25%: the Omegon Moon Filter 25% (1.25 inches) dampens the bright moonlight and increases the contrast. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
• Smartphone adapter: clamp your phone to the eyepiece for moon photos and nature shots. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
• Carrier bag for an 80/600 refractor this short tube easily fits. Take a look at the carrier bags.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher Startravel-80 optical tube (OTA, without mount)
• Included eyepieces, Barlow lens, and finderscope (see specifications)

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.