Skylight F13

Skylight F13 & 60mm F15m refractors

Richard,

I received both Skylight telescopes today (2/28/12) the 60mm f/15 from you and the 100mm f/13 from OPT.  Both arrived in excellent condition.  I know you've heard this before but they sure are beautiful telescopes. 

I did get some observation time in before the weather turned bad.  Jupiter was fabulous through the 100/f13.  I saw a nice shadow transit across the north equatorial belt (can be difficult to see in any scope under less than ideal seeing conditions due to the darkness of the NEB) and watched as a moon emerged from behind, all at about the same time; 1915 Mountain Time (0215 GMT).

D. Bledsoe / USA

Skylight F13

I had the Skylight out this morning -- the first time since I used it to observe the stars in Orion for the ATT review -- and I was stunned once again.  It's the aesthetic quality of the view that really captures me.  It's not just that the stars are pinpoint sharp, or dazzling, or rich in color.  All those things combine with a quality that is out of reach of words and result in a very unique, and for me, very enriching experience.  When I looked at Rasalgethi this morning, I literally sank down into my chair and just stared and kept staring.  I was very conscious that I was looking at something very unique, and I deliberately soaked up every single second of it.

I guess all I can say is that if Clark and Cooke turned out lenses of this quality, observational astronomy has lost something very essential and precious.  Thanks once again for putting this exquisite work of art together.  It literally is heads and tails over anything I've ever looked though before.

J. Nanson / USA

See more of John's thoughts here.

Skylight 60mm/F15m

Hi Richard.

It has arrived! Love it.  Quick look at Venus.......Superb!

Thanks very much. VERY proud to own this scope!

Best Wishes, 

Steve N. (UK)

Skylight 60mm/F15m

Dear Richard,

Just to tell you that earlier this morning I was able to focus clearly on the moon (specifically Copernicus) at 274x (7mm Axiom + 2x Meade barlow), which is 116 powers per inch. I have to say that this must be the very limit of what is possible, floaters were a terrible problem (exit pupil of 0.22mm) and it soon moved out of focus as the moon moved across the field of view (I was using manual only). But it was possible.

213x (9mm TMB planetary + 2x barlow) was quite reasonable, good sharp focus and when the floaters were not bad (EP 0.28) one could see the lunar features very clearly. With a rock-solid mount (vibrations are a bit of a problem with my HEQ5) and a motor drive one could use this magnification quite easily. It is still a remarkable 90 powers per inch. A 5mm Radian (192x, 81 x/inch) should be perfectly usable.

I was also able to use my new Williams Optics binoviewers with the Skylight (not possible with Williams own small scopes!).

In short, a superb telescope.

P. Morris (London, UK)

Skylight 60mm/F15m

Skylight F13

Kenko/Japan refractors

Telescopes arrived all right, thanks.  The telescopes are in good condition especially the 60mm is really a great collectors item.  Gladly buy from you again!!

F. Tarantino (Italy)