Sharpstar SCA260 v2 f/5 Aspherical Cassegrain with Integrated Field Flattener
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- This item is out of stock.
- Sign up for back-in-stock alerts to be notified when this item becomes available.
- This item is out of stock.
- We have no ETA from the manufacturer at this time.
- Sign up for back-in-stock alerts to be notified when this item becomes available.
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Important notes - please read before purchase:
1. Most of these units have several fine sleeks/thin scratches on the tube surface if viewed at the correct angles. The manufacturer informs us that this is a characteristic of the finish and not a defect. See the product photos above for some sample images.
2. The focuser on this scope works perfectly but is a bit noisy. Again, Sharpstar assures that this is not a problem and we have found the focusers to be consistent across our stock.
Sharpstar SCA260 Overview
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video:Sharpstar SCA260: An Astrograph for Serious Imagers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers that delivers superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The tube of the SCA260 is made from an attractive durable carbon fiber material to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3" corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately).
The 3" dedicated two-speed heavy-duty focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54×0.75 and M48×0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
(Camera and other accessories shown in product photos are representative only and are not included).
Specifications:
- Primary mirror aperture: 260mm
- Focal length/focal ratio: 1300mm/f5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120mm
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150mm
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5mm
- OD of front ring: 322mm / 12.67"
- Tube length: 712mm
- Tube weight: 14.5kg / 32lbwith both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 inch
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50mm
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included) for temperature display
Full Optical and Mechanical Testing and Quality Control - An Agena Exclusive!
Agena does much more than simply move the telescope boxes from Sharpstar to you. Each Sharpstar SCA260 telescope at Agena undergoes a thorough physical, mechanical, and optical evaluation at our shop upon arrival - all at no extra cost to you.
Every telescope is inspected to ensure good cosmetics, collimation, smooth focuser operation, and to make sure all parts are included by the manufacturer. Most importantly, we also check each telescope using a rigorous three-point on-site optical evaluation consisting of the following optical bench tests to ensure that your telescope delivers excellent optical performance:
- Foucault Test: This knife-edge test is performed at the center of curvature of the primary mirror to evaluate the quality of the mirror's conic shape.
- Ronchi Test: We then perform a Ronchi grating test at the center of curvature at inside focus, at focus, and outside focus. This is a qualitative method to evaluate primary mirror smoothness and figure.
- Star test: Finally, we collimate the complete telescope and perform an autocollimation test with an artificial star to examine the overall system's image performance at the focus point.
This testing is performed and certified by a master optician to make sure each Sharpstar instrument sold by Agena has excellent optical performance before it ships.
PLEASE NOTE: This precision astrograph has fast optics and tight alignment tolerances. We recommend collimation each time it is transported or jostled. Since this telescope does not have a conventional focuser holder and terminates in an M48 male thread, you will need to use an M48-threaded visual back or other eyepiece adapter in conjunction with your collimating tools. The telescope comes with some basic collimation instructions (also available under the 'Links & Downloads' section of this page) but no other manual is included.
Additional Info
Important note about v2 and v2.1 of this scope:
- Now includes a pair of handles at the rear of the tube for easier handling, an upgraded focuser/rotator, and a free 1.25" Cheshire collimating eyepiece.
- Sharpstar happened to release 2 variants of version 2 of this scope initially at the same time. They called them both version 2, but to differentiate between the two, we resorted to calling them v2 and v2.1, even though one wasn't newer than the other.
- V2: The rotator sat after the focuser (as pictured above)
- V2.1: The rotator sat between the telescope backplate and the focuser
- Subsequently, Sharpstar stopped making the v2.1 variant, and v2 is the only one being offered going forward. This is the current/latest version.
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
Sharpstar SCA260 Overview
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video:Sharpstar SCA260: An Astrograph for Serious Imagers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers that delivers superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The tube of the SCA260 is made from an attractive durable carbon fiber material to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3" corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately).
The 3" dedicated two-speed heavy-duty focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54×0.75 and M48×0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
(Camera and other accessories shown in product photos are representative only and are not included).
Specifications:
- Primary mirror aperture: 260mm
- Focal length/focal ratio: 1300mm/f5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120mm
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150mm
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5mm
- OD of front ring: 322mm / 12.67"
- Tube length: 712mm
- Tube weight: 14.5kg / 32lbwith both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 inch
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50mm
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included) for temperature display
Full Optical and Mechanical Testing and Quality Control - An Agena Exclusive!
Agena does much more than simply move the telescope boxes from Sharpstar to you. Each Sharpstar SCA260 telescope at Agena undergoes a thorough physical, mechanical, and optical evaluation at our shop upon arrival - all at no extra cost to you.
Every telescope is inspected to ensure good cosmetics, collimation, smooth focuser operation, and to make sure all parts are included by the manufacturer. Most importantly, we also check each telescope using a rigorous three-point on-site optical evaluation consisting of the following optical bench tests to ensure that your telescope delivers excellent optical performance:
- Foucault Test: This knife-edge test is performed at the center of curvature of the primary mirror to evaluate the quality of the mirror's conic shape.
- Ronchi Test: We then perform a Ronchi grating test at the center of curvature at inside focus, at focus, and outside focus. This is a qualitative method to evaluate primary mirror smoothness and figure.
- Star test: Finally, we collimate the complete telescope and perform an autocollimation test with an artificial star to examine the overall system's image performance at the focus point.
This testing is performed and certified by a master optician to make sure each Sharpstar instrument sold by Agena has excellent optical performance before it ships.
PLEASE NOTE: This precision astrograph has fast optics and tight alignment tolerances. We recommend collimation each time it is transported or jostled. Since this telescope does not have a conventional focuser holder and terminates in an M48 male thread, you will need to use an M48-threaded visual back or other eyepiece adapter in conjunction with your collimating tools. The telescope comes with some basic collimation instructions (also available under the 'Links & Downloads' section of this page) but no other manual is included.
| Product Status | new |
|---|---|
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free Contiguous US Shipping |
| Telescope Focal Length | 1251 - 1500mm |
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
Important notes - please read before purchase:
1. Most of these units have several fine sleeks/thin scratches on the tube surface if viewed at the correct angles. The manufacturer informs us that this is a characteristic of the finish and not a defect. See the product photos above for some sample images.
2. The focuser on this scope works perfectly but is a bit noisy. Again, Sharpstar assures that this is not a problem and we have found the focusers to be consistent across our stock.
Sharpstar SCA260 Overview
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video:Sharpstar SCA260: An Astrograph for Serious Imagers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers that delivers superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The tube of the SCA260 is made from an attractive durable carbon fiber material to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3" corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately).
The 3" dedicated two-speed heavy-duty focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54×0.75 and M48×0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
(Camera and other accessories shown in product photos are representative only and are not included).
Specifications:
- Primary mirror aperture: 260mm
- Focal length/focal ratio: 1300mm/f5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120mm
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150mm
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5mm
- OD of front ring: 322mm / 12.67"
- Tube length: 712mm
- Tube weight: 14.5kg / 32lbwith both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 inch
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50mm
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included) for temperature display
Full Optical and Mechanical Testing and Quality Control - An Agena Exclusive!
Agena does much more than simply move the telescope boxes from Sharpstar to you. Each Sharpstar SCA260 telescope at Agena undergoes a thorough physical, mechanical, and optical evaluation at our shop upon arrival - all at no extra cost to you.
Every telescope is inspected to ensure good cosmetics, collimation, smooth focuser operation, and to make sure all parts are included by the manufacturer. Most importantly, we also check each telescope using a rigorous three-point on-site optical evaluation consisting of the following optical bench tests to ensure that your telescope delivers excellent optical performance:
- Foucault Test: This knife-edge test is performed at the center of curvature of the primary mirror to evaluate the quality of the mirror's conic shape.
- Ronchi Test: We then perform a Ronchi grating test at the center of curvature at inside focus, at focus, and outside focus. This is a qualitative method to evaluate primary mirror smoothness and figure.
- Star test: Finally, we collimate the complete telescope and perform an autocollimation test with an artificial star to examine the overall system's image performance at the focus point.
This testing is performed and certified by a master optician to make sure each Sharpstar instrument sold by Agena has excellent optical performance before it ships.
PLEASE NOTE: This precision astrograph has fast optics and tight alignment tolerances. We recommend collimation each time it is transported or jostled. Since this telescope does not have a conventional focuser holder and terminates in an M48 male thread, you will need to use an M48-threaded visual back or other eyepiece adapter in conjunction with your collimating tools. The telescope comes with some basic collimation instructions (also available under the 'Links & Downloads' section of this page) but no other manual is included.
Additional Info
Important note about v2 and v2.1 of this scope:
- Now includes a pair of handles at the rear of the tube for easier handling, an upgraded focuser/rotator, and a free 1.25" Cheshire collimating eyepiece.
- Sharpstar happened to release 2 variants of version 2 of this scope initially at the same time. They called them both version 2, but to differentiate between the two, we resorted to calling them v2 and v2.1, even though one wasn't newer than the other.
- V2: The rotator sat after the focuser (as pictured above)
- V2.1: The rotator sat between the telescope backplate and the focuser
- Subsequently, Sharpstar stopped making the v2.1 variant, and v2 is the only one being offered going forward. This is the current/latest version.
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
| Product Status | new |
|---|---|
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free Contiguous US Shipping |
| Telescope Focal Length | 1251 - 1500mm |
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |