Refractor Telescopes
ZWO Seestar S50 50mm f/5 All-in-One Smart Telescope
- Fully Automated GoTo Telescope/Camera
- View Imagery on Phone or Tablet
- Air-Spaced Triplet Apochromatic Lens
- Live Stacking Capability
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
ZWO Seestar S30 30mm f/5 All-in-One Smart Telescope
- Fully Automated GoTo Telescope/Camera
- View Imagery on Phone or Tablet
- Solar System, Deep Sky, & Scenic Modes
- Wide-Angle & Telephoto Sensors
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 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
William Optics Cat 51 WIFD 51mm f/4.9 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope (OTA Only)
- 250mm Focal Length, f/4.9 Focal Ratio
- Center-Balanced Internal Focus Design
- For Full-Frame, APS-C, Micro 4/3 Cameras
- 1x Coarse, 10x Fine Focusers
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
ZWO FF80 APO Astronomical Telescope (OTA Only)
- 80mm Apochromatic Refractor OTA
- 600mm Focal Length, f/7.5 Focal Ratio
- Air-Spaced Quad APO with 2 ED Elements
- Eliminates Need for Field Flattener
Vaonis Vespera Pro Smart Telescope
- Fully Automated GoTo Telescope/Camera
- View Imagery on Tablet or Phone
- 12.5MP Sony IMX676 Starvis 2 Sensor
- 50mm Aperture, 250mm Focal Length
Explore Scientific 50mm Refractor Galileoscope STEM Telescope Kit
- STEM Project and Working Telescope
- Modern Take on Galileo's Original Design
- View the Moon and Planets with Ease
- 50mm Refractor Telescope
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 PowerSeeker 50 50mm f/12 AZ Refractor Telescope
- 50mm Aperture
- 600mm Focal Length, f/12 Focal Ratio
- 0.96" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
Celestron Travel Scope 80mm f/5 AZ Refractor Telescope Kit
- 80mm Refractor
- 400mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
- Antireflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ 70mm f/13 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope
- 70mm Refractor OTA
- 900mm Focal Length, f/13 Focal Ratio
- Antireflection Fully Coated Optics
- 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ 90mm f/11.1 Refractor Telescope
- 90mm Aperture Refractor OTA
- 1000mm Focal Length, f/11.1 Focal Ratio
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- 1.25" Focuser, 10mm and 20mm Eyepieces
Explore Scientific FirstLight AR102mm f/9.8 Refractor Telescope with EXOS Nano EQ3 Mount
- 102mm Refractor OTA
- 1000mm Focal Length, f/9.8 Focal Ratio
- Anti-Reflection Multi-Coated Optics
- 40mm Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
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 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
Explore Scientific AR102 102mm f/6.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope (OTA)
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80mm f/7.5 Doublet APO Refractor (OTA only)
- 80mm Apochromatic Refractor
- 600mm Focal Length, f/7.5 Focal Ratio
- Proprietary MHC Multi-Coated Optics
- Schott BK7 and FPL-53 ED Glass
Vaonis Vespera II Observation Station
- Fully Automated Telescope/Camera
- View Imagery on Tablet or Phone
- GoTo Technology Finds/Tracks Objects
- 8.3MP Resolution
William Optics Cat 71 WIFD 71mm f/4.9 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope (Red)
- 350mm Focal Length, f/4.9 Focal Ratio
- Center-Balanced Internal Focus Design
- For Full-Frame, APS-C, Micro 4/3 Cameras
- 1x Coarse, 10x Fine Focusers
Vaonis Vespera II Observation Station with Tripod & Backpack Kit
- Fully Automated Telescope/Camera
- View Imagery on Tablet or Phone
- GoTo Technology Finds/Tracks Objects
- 11.8" Tripod with 3/8"-16 Mounting Screw
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
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
Sky-Watcher Esprit ED APO 120mm f/7 Refractor Telescope
- Aperture: 120mm
- Focal Length: 840mm, f/7
- Apochromatic Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
- Fully Multicoated Optics
Sky-Watcher Evostar 150DX ED APO 150mm f/8 Refractor (OTA Only)
- 150mm Apochromatic Doublet Lens
- 1200mm Focal Length, f/8 Focal Ratio
- Extra Low-Dispersion Lens Element
- Dual-Speed 2" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Vivitar TEL-30300 30mm Mini Telescope with Tripod
- 30mm Refractor OTA
- 300mm Focal Length
- Fixed 15x Eyepiece
- Slide Focuser
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.