Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R Telescope

The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R Telescope from Celestron is a field telescope offering a bright, panoramic field of view suited for casual wide-field astronomy. It can double as a powerful terrestrial spotting scope. The 80mm optical tube is 12.5 inches long, and weighs 3 pounds. A compact, portable telescope, the Backpacker 80R travels light and fits in a small space. The telescope's mount includes point-and-view astronomical tracking technology. The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R optical system incorporates a 2-element achromatic (color-corrected) objective lens made from Grade-A Crown & Flint glass. Each air-to-glass lens' surface is multicoated for optimum light through-put.

The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R has a patented futuristic looking mount that functions in an easy-to-operate, motorized, azimuth mode. After a simple set-up, just point to any astronomical body in the sky and the mount automatically begins following the object across the sky.

The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R includes a multi-location, terrestrial, surveillance mode. The built-in software allows land observing involving up to 6 different locations. By keeping the mount in the same physical orientation, the software records the positions the telescope is pointing to, and subsequently goes to them on demand. It is also possible to program the telescope to cruise to each location automatically, stop for a moment, and move on to the next location. The Backpacker 80R accommodates most cameras, video camcorders, and binoculars with a standard 1/4", 20-thread receptor. A snap cable is included that facilitates automatic exposures with a compatible camera.

The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R includes a multi-speed electronic hand-controller which controls the DC-Server motors on each axis, facilitating smooth, accurate vertical and horizontal movement on demand.

In tracking mode, the "Guide" speed, (1x), compensates for the Earth's rotation making stars stand-still. "Slow" speed, (4x), allows fine position changing to center objects in the eyepiece or viewfinder. "Fast", (8x), speed allows relatively quick gross incremental changes in location. With the tracking mode turned off, the guide speed accelerates to 32x; "Slow" speed to 64x; and "Fast" becomes a speed-demon at 800x. This allows the flexibility to transverse huge swaths of sky or terrestrial landscape in just a matter of seconds.

The Sky-Watcher Backpacker 80R Telescope comes with a rock-solid tabletop tripod. An L-bracket is provided for attachment of most cameras, camcorders, and spotting scopes with 1/4", 20-thread receptors. Two 1.25", 4-element, Plossl eyepieces are provided: 25mm and 12.5mm. An image-erect 90° roof-prism and an 8 x 20 erect image viewfinder are also included.

Everything fits into a handy backpack for easy transport while hiking, camping, or going to visit your relatives in the Rockies. Planetarium software for the PC is included. 8 AA-size batteries are required.