110mm f6 StarFire GTX (110GTX)
Brand : Astro-Physics
- SKU:
- 110GTX
- Availability:
- Refer to Availability tab below
Description and Design Goals
Introducing the 110mm F6 Starfire GTX dual-purpose portable refractor. The design goal was three-fold: 1) a compact refractor with as much aperture as possible that would fit into an airline overhead case, 2) a fast, highly-corrected triplet refractor that can cover a full format CMOS chip with pinpoint stars to the corners when coupled to our matching Telecompressor-Corrector, 3) a superb visual refractor with the highest possible polychromatic Strehl in a compact triplet lens.
Airline Transport. The 110GTX fits nicely into an airline-approved carry-on case with plenty of padding for protection.
Optical Design for Newest Small Pixel Cameras. We chose a focal ratio of F6 for the objective lens and an aperture of 110mm as a sweet spot for portability and deep-sky imaging capability. The lens uses the newest Super-ED glass available from our Japanese optical supplier along with two matched elements to provide diffraction-limited performance from deep red to deep violet. The scope is designed for imaging with our F5 TCC, and will cover the full-frame 35mm format of the popular CMOS cameras. The F5 focal ratio produces a maximum 5-degree, 50mm image circle that is matched to the resolution capabilities of the 3.75 micron pixel size. The TCC is designed to extend the color correction range far beyond the visual spectrum to produce high-resolution images from the latest CMOS sensors. Polychromatic spot size is well within the Airy disc limit, even at the periphery of a full 35mm format. Refer to the Technical Design Details tab to see the spot diagram.
Visual Performance. For the best possible visual performance, we designed the objective lens to have very high polychromatic Strehl ratio over the visual spectrum for wavelengths of red, yellow, green and blue colors. We chose the wavelength range that was matched specifically to the human eye response for best contrast and resolution at any power - whether it be low-power, wide-field scanning of the Milky Way or high-power observation of the Sun, Moon, planets and double stars. Furthermore, the lens was designed for best wavefront performance, not for RMS spot radius. The reason for designing the lens this way is to provide the highest contrast over the largest possible wavelength range. In that way, the lens performs extremely well with high-power eyepieces, identical to what much longer focal ratio lenses of this aperture would produce. Even so, the polychromatic spot radius stays well below the Airy disc limit for all visual wavelengths and over a field of almost 1 degree or 2 full Moon diameters without adding any extra optics (field flatteners) to the optical train.
To achieve these high corrections, we used carefully-selected optical glass for the outer mating elements that surround the central Super-ED glass. This glass is the perfect material to produce a fast high-Strehl objective. Normally, to get this level of color correction at such a fast focal ratio requires either wide airspaces between the elements, or putting the sensitive ED glass up front where it can be damaged by overzealous cleaning.
Wide airspaces cause two problems that we want to avoid - one is sensitivity to decentering and the second is long cooldown time. With close-spaced elements and the expensive ED element safely snuggled between two hard mating-elements, the scope is very rugged and impervious to rough handling. The multi-layer coatings are applied with ion-beam assist techniques, and therefore are almost as hard as the underlying glass. The entire lens cell can be easily slid out of the scope's main tube by removing 3 screws. This allows easy cleaning of the rear surface in case of excessive dew or dust settling on this surface.
FEATURES
- 3.5" Astro-Physics focuser - silky smooth with a greaseless drawtube and the dual-speed mechanism of the 9:1 Micro. The dual-speed feature is particularly advantageous for critically focusing this fast focal ratio. A digital focusing system will be available for imaging.
- Compact, lightweight tube assembly that fits into your carry-on luggage. Fully retractable felt-lined dew shield slides to its fully-extended position with thumbscrew to secure it in place.
- Latest multi-coating technology will provide optimum light transmission.
- The 110mm StarFire GTX will fit into a case for airline transport.
- Optional Telecompressor-Corrector (110TCC) converts the 110mmF6 to a fast 550 mm focal length, f/5 imaging machine with pinpoint stars across the field.
- Optional 3.5" Prime Focus Field Flattener (110FF) converts the 110mmF6 to a 732 mm focal length, f/6.65 imaging machine with pinpoint stars across the field.
Performance Curves for Visual Use at F6
Polychromatic Strehl Ratio for Visual Wavelengths
Polychromatic RMS Spot Size Over a 0.9 Degree Field at F6
Performance Curves for Imaging at F5 with TCC
RMS Spot Radius Over a 44mm Diameter Field
Specifications
| Color Correction | Extends from near IR to the violet edge of the visible spectrum |
| Clear Aperture | 110mm (4.33") |
| Focal Length | 660mm (26") |
| Focal Ratio | f/6.0 |
| Theoretical Resolution | 1.08 arc seconds |
| Coatings | Multi-layer, broadband, overall transmission greater than 97% in peak visual wavelengths |
| Magnification Range | 15x to 400x |
| Tube Assembly | Cream white, 4.7” diameter, machined aluminum tube, fully baffled, flat black interior, engraved retaining ring. |
| Focuser Type | 3.5” I.D. Focuser, rack and pinion, 9:1 dual-speed reduction, 4.5” (114mm) travel, 7.3" (185mm) backfocus. Focuser drawtube features millimeter focusing scale. 2.7", 2” and 1.25” adapters included. |
| Telescope Length | ~482mm (19") with dew shield fully retracted and adapters removed. Add 1.5" with visual adapters in focuser drawtube. |
| Diameter of Dew Shield | 145 mm (5.720") O.D, retractable |
| Front thread of Dew Shield | 5.600" x 32 thread, you must remove the trim ring to access |
| Weight with Dew Shield | 12 lbs. (5.45 kg) |
| Carrying case | 1535 Pelican Air with Padded Dividers |
Specifications subject to change without notice as details are finalized. The pictured scope is the prototype.
What's Included?
- Tube Assembly with Astro-Physics 3.5" Focuser, Dew Shield and Dustcover
- 2.7", 2" and 1.25" Adapters
- Carrying Case
Items That You Will Need For Your Scope
- 4.7" Mounting Rings (47RING)
Accessories to Consider
- 3.5" Telecompressor-Corrector (110TCC)
- 3.5" Prime Focus Field Flattener (110FF)
- 10 x 60 Baader Planetarium Vario-Finder with Illuminated Reticle, 45° Erecting Prism, and Quick Release Bracket (1060VQ)
- 10 x 60 Vario-Finder with Quick Release Guider Bracket (1060GUIDE)
- Base for Quick Release Finder Bracket (QRBASEM)
- Handle with Dovetail Slot for Guidescope and Finder Brackets, PICQRM2 & STARFMD (QRHANDLE)
- Picatinny Male Dovetail Base for Multi-Reticle Finders (PICQRM2)
- MaxBright 2" Mirror Diagonal (PMDMAX)
- 2" Advanced Convertible Barlow (BARADV)
- Flat Field Converter (BPFFC) Barlow and Related Accessories in the FFC System
- Baader Mark V Binocular Viewer (BPMARKVS)
- Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism (BPHERP)
- Kendrick Dew Remover Premier Heater (KDR004)
- Solar Filter options, all feature Baader Planetarium AstroSolar SafetyFilm, Density 5-Visual
- Baader AstroSolar Filters (ASTF-100), Diameter of filter material: 100mm
- Baader AstroSolar Film (AS50A4). 200mm x 290mm (7.9"x11.4") sheet to make your own filter. Instructions included.
- Baader AstroSolar Film (AS50HM). 500mm x 1000mm (19.7" x 39.4") sheet to make multiple filters, Instructions included.
Availability
November 21, 2024 Update
The 2024 run is now sold out, however production of 110GTX scopes for 2025 has just begun. We will begin notification for this scope when we are further along in production. At that time, we will notify people that signed up for the random drawing.
March 14, 2023
The Random Drawing Sign-up is now closed.
March 7, 2023, 12:00PM CST *** Sign-Up Open ***
The 110GTX Random Drawing Sign-Up Form is now OPEN!
You may sign up anytime between now and Tuesday, March 14 at 12:00pm CST. Notifications for an opportunity to purchase the 110GTX will be based on a random drawing from entries submitted within that window.
February 28, 2023 *** Random Drawing Sign-up Information ***
We're certain this will be a popular product, so we have again decided to offer this brand-new scope design in a random-drawing format. We found that this method was well-received when used for the 92mm Stowaway in recent years. This is a departure from our usual processes, so we know you have questions. We have answers:
Why can’t I just order one? We wanted to provide an equal opportunity to people who would really like to own and use this scope. If we simply opened our phone lines to take orders, it would favor people who live in particular time zones and only those who happened to hear about it. We anticipate that they would sell out very quickly, possibly even before people on the other side of the globe were awake. Since we have an international following, we wanted to give everyone an equal opportunity.
What do you mean, random drawing? For one week from Tuesday, March 7th to Tuesday, March 14th (12:00PM Central Standard Time), anyone can sign up using the 110mm StarFire GTX Random Drawing Entry form. It does not matter when you sign up, as long as it’s within the sign-up window. From this group of interested people, we will randomly choose the people who will be notified of the opportunity to purchase a 110GTX.
Why aren’t you just notifying people in order of when they signed up, like usual? Traditionally we have collected names of those interested in a particular product and notified folks of the opportunity to purchase the item in chronological order. We’ve occasionally received criticism, most especially if the list is only open for a short time, from folks who were unaware of the list, on vacation, on the other side of the world and asleep when the list was open, etc.
We only have a limited number of 110GTXs available and want to give everyone an equal chance to purchase one. With advanced notice and a one-week sign-up window, we hope to catch everyone who might be interested in this scope.
How do I sign up? Go to the 110mm StarFire GTX Random Drawing Entry form and fill in all the required fields, including your name, phone number, email address and billing address. The link to this form will be available beginning March 7th at 12:00PM (noon) Central Standard Time.
When can I sign up? The 110mm StarFire GTX Random Drawing Entry form will be available from March 7th to March 14th (12:00PM Central Standard Time for both).
Will I receive a confirmation of my sign-up? Yes. Following submission, a confirmation page will appear. Assuming that you provided a valid email address, you will also receive an auto-generated confirmation email with all of the information that you provided, for reference. If you do NOT receive a confirmation email, it may be in your spam folder or you may have entered an incorrect email address.
When will I know if I was selected? After the deadline, we will contact the people whose names we draw randomly from the entries. This process may take several months as we do not sell the final scopes in a run until they are completed. We will post periodic update messages here.
When would I pay for my order? The order process will remain the same as usual: Once you’re notified, you will have 2 weeks to decide whether to purchase and submit a 50% deposit. As soon as you contact us to place your order, a scope will be reserved for you and we will provide an estimated date of delivery.
We wish you luck!
May 20, 2022 *** New Scope Introduction ***
Once again, we have decided to offer a brand-new scope design in a random-drawing format. We found that this method was well-received when used for the 92mm Stowaway in recent years. This is a departure from our usual processes, so we know you have questions. We have answers:
What do you mean, random drawing? After we establish the price and have more details regarding the case, telecompressor-corrector, and other accessories, we will announce the signup for the random drawing. During the week-long signup period, you will have an opportunity to enter and submit your contact information.
From this group of interested people, we will randomly choose those who will be notified of the opportunity to purchase a 110mm StarFire GTX.
Why aren't you just notifying people in order they sign up, like usual? Traditionally we have collected names of those interested in a particular product and notified folks of the opportunity to purchase the item in chronological order. We’ve occasionally received criticism, most especially if the list is only open for a short time, from people who were unaware of the list, on vacation, on the other side of the world and asleep when the list was open, etc.
We only have a limited number of 110GTX scopes in production and want to give everyone an equal chance to purchase one. With advanced notice and a one-week sign-up window, we hope to catch everyone who might be interested in this scope.
How and when can I sign up? We will announce the random drawing dates on this webpage, the ap-ug and ap-gto forums, our Facebook page and in our newsletter. Additional information will be available at that time. If you would like to receive our newsletter, please sign up in the black banner at the bottom of this webpage.
