Refractor Telescopes
Vaonis VE50 Vespera Exploration Station Digital Telescope with Tripod
- Sets up in 5 Minutes
- GoTo Technology Finds/Tracks Objects
- Autofocus for Photography
Other Buying Options
Celestron Inspire 100AZ 100mm f/6.6 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope
- 100mm Refractor OTA
- 660mm Focal Length, f/6.6 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Other Buying Options
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor Telescope
- Use Smartphone App for Star Navigation
- Follow Directions to Find Great Objects
- Advanced Precise Alignment Algorithm
- 102mm f/6.5 Refractor Optical Tube
Other Buying Options
Sky-Watcher Evostar ED APO 72mm f/5.8 Refractor Guidescope (OTA Only)
- For Autoguiding, Imaging, Observation
- 72mm Apochromatic Doublet Lens
- 420mm Focal Length, f/5.8 Focal Ratio
- Extra Low-Dispersion Lens Element
Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ 70mm f/13 Refractor Telescope
- 70mm Aperture Refractor OTA
- 900mm Focal Length, f/12.8 Focal Ratio
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- 1.25" Focuser, 10mm and 20mm Eyepieces
Other Buying Options
ExploreOne CF600 50mm f/12 Carbon Fiber AZ Refractor Telescope (White)
- 50mm Refractor Design
- 600mm Focal Length, f/12 Focal Ratio
- Strong and Durable Carbon Fiber OTA
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount with Pan Handle
Celestron PowerSeeker 60 60mm f/12 AZ Refractor Telescope
- 60mm Aperture
- 700mm Focal Length, f/12 Focal Ratio
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
Celestron PowerSeeker 80mm f/11 EQ Refractor Telescope
- 80mm Aperture
- 900mm Focal Length, f/11 Focal Ratio
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
- Manual Equatorial Mount
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ 80mm f/11 AZ Refractor Telescope
- Use Smartphone App for Star Navigation
- Follow Directions to Find Great Objects
- Advanced Precise Alignment Algorithm
- 80mm f/11 Refractor Optical Tube
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 100mm f/9 Doublet APO Refractor (OTA only)
- 100mm Apochromatic Refractor
- 900mm Focal Length, f/9 Focal Ratio
- Proprietary MHC Multi-Coated Optics
- Schott BK7 and FPL-53 ED Glass
Explore Scientific 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet Apochromat Carbon Fiber Refractor Telescope (OTA)
- 952mm Focal Length
- Lightweight Carbon Fiber Construction
- Cradle Rings with Vixen-Style Dovetail
- OTA Only, Tripod & Mount Required
Polaroid 60700 60mm f/12 Refractor Telescope
- 60mm Refractor-Style OTA
- 700mm Focal Length, f/12 Focal Ratio
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
- 0.965" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Other Buying Options
Celestron Travel Scope 50mm f/7.2 AZ Refractor Telescope Kit
- 50mm Achromatic Refractor
- 360mm Focal Length, f/7.2 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- Sturdy Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Celestron Travel Scope DX 70mm f/6 AZ Refractor Telescope
- 70mm Achromatic Refractor
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
- Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter
Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ Telescope
- Achromatic Refractor
- 70mm Aperture
- 700mm f/10
- Steel Leg Tripod
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ 70mm f/13 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope
- 70mm Refractor OTA
- 900mm Focal Length, f/13 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Other Buying Options
Explore Scientific FirstLight 90mm f/5.6 Achro Refractor Alt-Az Telescope
- 90mm Achromatic Refractor
- 500mm Focal Length, f/5.6 Focal Ratio
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Celestron PowerSeeker 80AZ 80mm f/5 AZ Refractor Telescope
- 80mm Aperture
- 400mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Multi-Coated Optics
- 1.25" Focuser and 20mm Eyepiece
Celestron AstroMaster 80AZS 80mm f/5 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope
- 80mm Refractor Optical Tube Assembly
- 400mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Celestron 80LCM 80mm f/11.25 Computerized GoTo Refractor Telescope
- 80mm Refractor-Style OTA
- 900mm Focal Length, f/11.25 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 36x and 100x 1.25" Eyepieces
Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope
- 102mm Aperture Refractor OTA
- 660mm Focal Length, f/6.5 Focal Ratio
- Fully Coated Optics
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
Celestron Astro Fi 90mm f/10 GoTo Refractor Telescope
- 90mm Refractor OTA
- 910mm Focal Length, f/10 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Coated Optics
- 1.25" Focuser, 10mm and 25mm Eyepieces
Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120mm f/5 AZ Refractor Telescope
- 120mm Achromatic Refractor OTA
- 600mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- 2" Focuser with Integrated T-2 Mount
Sky-Watcher StarTravel 80 AZ-GTe 80mm f/5 Refractor GoTo AZ Telescope
- 80mm Refractor Optical Tube
- 400mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Multi-Coated Optics
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
Explore Scientific AR127 127mm f/6.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope (OTA)
- 826mm Focal Length
- 8x50 Finderscope
- Mounting Cradle Ring with Handle
- OTA Only - Mount and Tripod Required
Sky-Watcher Evolux 82 ED APO 82mm f/6.45 Refractor Telescope (OTA Only)
- 82mm Doublet Apochromatic Refractor
- Ideal for Wide Field Astrophotography
- 530mm Focal Length, f/6.45 Focal Ratio
Tele Vue TV-85 85mm f/7 APO Doublet Refractor Telescope (Ivory, OTA Only)
- 85mm Apochromatic Doublet Refractor OTA
- 600mm Focal Length, f/7 Focal Ratio
- Index-Matched Broadband Optical Coatings
- 2" Dual-Speed Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120mm f/7.5 Doublet APO Refractor (OTA only)
- 120mm Apochromatic Refractor
- 900mm Focal Length, f/7.5 Focal Ratio
- Proprietary MHC Multi-Coated Optics
- Schott BK7 and FPL-53 ED Glass
Vivitar TEL-30300 30mm Mini Telescope with Tripod
- 30mm Refractor OTA
- 300mm Focal Length
- Fixed 15x Eyepiece
- Slide Focuser
ExploreOne CF350 50mm f/7 Carbon Fiber AZ Refractor Telescope (Silver)
- 50mm Refractor Design
- 350mm Focal Length, f/7 Focal Ratio
- Strong and Durable Carbon Fiber OTA
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS
Choosing the Best Refractor Telescope
A refractor telescope has a glass lens at the front that bends light as it passes through. The best refractor telescopes use a long-range focal length to minimize the chance of chromatic aberration. Achromatic telescopes are more prone to discoloration than apochromatic telescopes because the red and blue wavelengths are not in line with the green ones.
Difference Between Apochromatic and Achromatic Telescopes
Achromatic refractors bend light at slightly different angles as it passes through a glass lens. Color wavelengths in achromatic telescopes don’t all align due to the angles, which creates an opportunity for discoloration (chromatic aberration). The green wavelengths extend past the red and blue ones and focus on a different area at the back of the telescope. Achromatic telescopes are more suitable for star gazing as less light is present, so there’s a limited chance of discoloration taking place. Lenses created with three to four glass elements are apochromatic, and an apochromatic refractor produces high-resolution images with minimal chance of discoloration. Using solar telescopes with apochromatic lenses produces detailed views of the sun, and attachments like webcams for computerized telescopes provide high-resolution results for safe viewing.
Refractor and Reflector Telescopes
Some Vivitar refractor telescopes come with options for terrestrial and astrological viewing, microscope kits, and sun shields. With catadioptric (Cassegrain) telescopes, you can view true-to-life images day or night. Catadioptric telescopes come in two main types, Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov. Most Celestron refractor telescopes come in both Catadioptic types, in 90mm options to give you a superior viewing experience. Maksutov telescopes are easier to set up and transport because they are lightweight, making them popular with hikers and campers. Telescopes that use reflector (Newtonian) lenses are an optimal choice if you enjoy star gazing or watching meteor showers. While reflector telescopes are bulkier than refractor telescopes, they provide you with a similar viewing experience in the right conditions.
Choosing Accessories for Your Telescope
Purchase additional telescope eyepieces to increase your telescope’s magnification ability, and choose from low or medium power eyepieces. Select an eyepiece with exit pupils no larger than 6mm for optimum results. Eyepieces are one of the most important parts of a telescope; using high-quality eyepieces will increase your telescope’s range and capability. Use adapters and remotes, get additional tubes and lenses, or pick mounting accessories to enhance your viewing experience. When it comes time to store your telescope, use a durable hard case to protect glass lenses and tubes from damage.
B&H Photo and Video carries Vivitar, Celestron, and Bushnell refractor telescopes for superior viewing with a low risk of color distortion. Browse through kits made to view specific planets, and find adjustable tripods and carrying bags to build the ultimate telescope system.