Our experts review the latest kit - FIRST LIGHT

Starbase 80 refractor and mount package - A user-friendly system with an achromatic telescope and portable altaz mount

- PAUL MONEY

Optics

The 80mm (3.2-inch) objective lens is a fully magenta coated achromatic to help improve contrast. It has a focal length of 800mm, which gives the system a focal ratio of f/10. The tube is lightweight and fitted with pale green tube rings for attaching to the mount.

Tripod

The steel tripod is lightweight, yet sturdy enough to support the mount and telescope. It has adjustable legs to make the viewing height more comfortable, and it has a simple but useful plastic accessories tray that also helps to spread the tripod legs and keep them in position.

The Starbase 80 refractor and mount package from First Light Optics is manufactured on behalf of Takahashi in Japan. Although it is not actually made by Takahashi, the livery of the Starbase 80 is reminiscent of the pale green and white often associated with that company. The aim is to provide an entry level, grab and go achromatic telescope on a portable easy-to-use altaz mount, which will complement the usual high-quality Takahashi optical systems we are used to seeing.

The assembly of the Starbase 80 system proved to be straightforward, with the mount and tripod in one section, so all we needed to do was to attach the tube and rings to it, before adding the slow-motion controls and altitude clamp. Next, we added the star diagonal and an eyepiece and we were ready to go.