iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount Alternate Image 1
iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount

iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount

Item#: IOPT008

Sale Price: $399.98 SAVE: $356.02 (47%)

List Price : $756.00

  • Entry-level refractor with easy-to-use SmartStar GoTo controls
  • Patented Dual Mount, a.k.a. "The Cube" for total control
  • USB port for PC/laptop connectivity and expanded contol
  • 32-channel GPS module for full automation

Color

Cosmic Orange
Terra Green
Description

Introducing our SmartStar™-A-R80 Entry Level refracting telescope system. Designed with the latest technology the 80 mm lens is crafted with a fluorite based, low dispersion glass that is ground and polished to exact specifications.   The precision design is excellent for viewing bright stars, planets and their moons, as well as for bird watching and other land objects. Two eye pieces come standard to allow for flexibility in viewing either a wider field or a single focused object.


Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial – The Cube™


The SmartStar™-A-R80 refractor telescope comes with our patented Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial, a.k.a. The Cube™. This compact mount design is probably the most functional and flexible unit on the market. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit which is universally compatible with all telescopes using a dove-tail connection. The mount can be level for Alt-Azimuth or locked into position for German Equatorial. In addition, there are no “dead spots” – so you can point your telescope to ANYWHERE above the horizon, whereas, other mounts block the telescope tube at certain points of rotation. This mount also comes standard with AC connection. An optional DC adaptor is available so you can plug your telescope motor into your car if you’re camping or at any remote location.


The most easy to understand controller on the market


The GoToNovaTM Controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has the largest LCD screen on the market with 8 lines of content compared with others that only have 2 lines. Using the easy-to-use hand controller, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.


More precise speed control for viewing objects


The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at 9 different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.
USB Port


The 8402 hand controller comes with a USB port that tremendously expands the functionalities of the already powerful system. With the USB2COM driver installed, the USB port works as an RS232 serial port. It supports firmware upgrades and computer control. With ASCOM protocol, you can control your telescope with most ASCOM compatible software. This enables you to utilize the CPU, large screen, and disk space of your  PC/laptop. With a wide selection of software, your star gazing experience will never be the same again.


Simply a better tripod


Made of 1-inch heavy-duty stainless steel the SmartStar™ Tripod is sturdy yet elegant, and gives the user unparalleled stability during operation. Solid construction joints keep your mount locked securely. With an all-metal support system your valuable telescope will keep still even on a windy night.


GoToNovaTM Computerized Control System


The revolutionary GoToNovaTM computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated tracking system available on the market today.  With a database of 50,000 celestial objects, including all of the most famous galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, not to mention the planets, you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button.


32-Channel GPS Module


All A-series telescopes come standard with a 32-channel GPS module for fully automated operation and alignment. Simply turn on the GoToNovaTM Controller and the GPS module will automatically synchronize your telescope location and time with the GoToNovaTM computerized control system. View celestial objects without having to manually punch in the date, time, latitude or longitude.


Features:


  • 80mm achromatic refractor telescope
  • Heavy duty stainless steel tripod
  • Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth and German Equatorial– The Cube™-- The only mount of its kind for ultimate rotation and universal compatibility
  • Includes the GoToNovaTM Controller. The most intuitive controller on the market.
  • 80,000 object database plus 256 user-defined objects
  • The largest LCD screen on the market with 8 lines and 21-character Hand Control with backlit LED buttons.
  • USB Port for PC Laptop control and firmware upgrades (ASCOM protocol)
  • Drive motor with 9-speed setting for precise tracking
  • Dual-axis Servomotor
  • Standard-equipment AC connection (Optional DC adaptor available)
  • 32-channel GPS module standard on all A series telescopes

Shipping Restrictions:
Only ships in contiguous USA.
Dimensions & Specifications

Battery

8 x AA

Features

GoTo

Brand

iOptron

GPS

Yes

GoTo

Yes

Good for Astrophotography

Yes

Telescopes Series

iOptron SmartStar Refractor Telescopes

Optical Design

Refractor

Aperture

80mm

Focal Length

400mm

Focal Ratio

f/5.0

Mount Design

Single Fork Arm

Battery Included

No

Eyepiece 1

10mm

Eyepiece 2

25mm

Highest Useful Magnification

150x

Limiting Magnitude

11.3

Resolution

1.4

User Level

For the Beginner

Options

Color: Cosmic Orange, Terra Green

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Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount
 
4.4

(based on 7 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Accurate (5)
  • Strong construction (5)
  • Quality lenses (4)
  • Compact (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Astronomy (7)
    • Bird watching (6)
    • Travel (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Casual/ recreational (6)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (3)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 7 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-5

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    4.0

    Seeing is believing

    By Louie the lawyer

    from New Jersey

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy to Use
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Astronomy

      Comments about iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:

      What they said is what I got !! I wish I could say that about every website and advertiser.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Great first Telescope

      By Umbagog

      from Errol, NH

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Compact
      • Easy to Use

      Cons

      • Difficult To Focus

      Best Uses

      • Astronomy
      • Bird Watching
      • Low Visibility

      Comments about iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:

      Follow the quick start guide for success. Could be better quality with focusing controls

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Much better than I hoped it would be.

      By Borgkube

      from Simi Valley, CA

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Reviewer

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Compact
      • Lightweight
      • Quality Lenses
      • Strong Construction

      Cons

      • None

      Best Uses

      • Astronomy
      • Bird Watching

      Comments about iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:

      For a long time I have wanted a GoTo mount but they were all too expensive or just junk. iOptron has created a quality mount that doesn't break the bank. The 80mm refractor is a surprisingly good scope. It focuses the stars to nice sharp pinpoints and gives great views of the Moon. The mount very easy to setup and use. It seems to be pretty accurate as all the stars I viewed were right in the field every time. I haven't tried the equitorial mode yet as I have the "A" model which can to both AltAz and Eq modes. You need to download the full manual from the iOptron website, but I had no trouble setting up the telescope with the quick start Guide. I have also used HNSky, Stellerium and Cartes du Ciel to control the scope mount. This works really well, you click on the star on the laptop and it commands the telescope to site on that object. You can do this using the hand controller, but it is MUCH easier with the PC. Again, you have to download the Scope drivers from iOptron to control the scope from any of these programs. So far, I am very pleased with this purchase.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      (1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Excitement all over again

      By Nels Bells

      from Apison, Tennessee

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Compact
      • Nice slow fast slew
      • Quality Lenses
      • Strong Construction

      Cons

      • Minor alignment difficult

      Best Uses

      • Astronomy
      • Bird Watching
      • Teaching opportunity

      Comments about iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:

      1963 I got a 4in reflector Dynascope as first time scope. It was thrilling to see Saturn and Jupiter. I built my own mount. It was exciting
      to learn the sky. With this A-R80 it has been
      excitement all over again to see things I had not
      seen before. Optics are clear and quality, good
      field of view and resolve. Once aligned it was wonderful to select an object and have it come into view. It is just as fun to scout around. Several times while viewing, a satelite would
      cross the field. It is wheting my interest for
      another scope of larger aperature and accessories.
      One of my projects is to look for young groups that would like to learn the sky and teach astronomy. My first scope close focused to about
      50ft. This one has done well half the distance where I can look at the birds in the feeder and
      nesting box. Makes it close up fun.

      (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Color shown is not right!

      By Planetary Geology grad student

      from Moscow, ID

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Reviewer

      Pros

      • Comfortable Eyepiece
      • Quality Lenses

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Astronomy
        • Bird Watching
        • Travel

        Comments about iOptron SmartStar A R80 GoTo GPS Refractor Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:

        I love my new telescope (a great Christmas gift from my husband), but the manual wasn't too helpful past the initial set-up and the pictures shown of these colors are way too vibrant. My terra green telescope looks more like sea foam green (not bright at all...more pastel-colored).

        Displaying reviews 1-5

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        Customer Q & A

        Q1: Can I see the images on my computer so I can save them and show to my science class?

        A: You would not be able to connect this scope to a computer without using a CCD Imager.  This would allow you to take pictures using your scope while connected to a laptop computer.

        Q2: How difficult is the initial alignment on this scope?

        A: Fairly easy to say the least, you'll turn on your scope and it will walk you through the alignment process.

        Q3: How much does this telescope weigh?

        A: The iOptron SmartStar A R80 weighs 14.5lbs.

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