For 25 years, Tele Vue has pushed the boundaries of APO refractors, as well as eyepieces, to the recognized pinnacle of performance. We were gratified but not surprised that Backyard Astronomer's Guide said of the NP101: "optics don't get any better than this." No wonder Sky and Telescope rated the NP101 tops (May & June 2002) and selected it as the test instrument for its landmark review of the SBIG STL11000 CCD camera (July 2004). The "is" versions of the Tele Vue- 60, 102i, NP101 and NP127 retain the exemplary wide field and planetary visual capability while adding new features to make imaging easier and more flexible.

TV-NP127is (left) and TV-NP101is (right) system with case. Two-inch accessory adapter and imaging insert shown in inset and enlarged.

The NP101 (540mm, f/5.4, 4") and NP127 (660mm, f/5.2, 5") maintain their optical specifications yet with redesigned 4-element optical systems. Larger

Imaging System scope with DSLR camera on Vixen Sphinx mount. Accessories shown include Focusmate Driver and Digital Indicator Kit.

rear lens groups absolutely minimize vignetting in formats up to 50mm diagonal. For these large chips an optional field corrector was developed (Reviewer Note) so the corners of the newly brightened edges would virtually be as perfect as the center of the field.

In order to take full advantage of the larger lenses, a non-vignetting focuser was developed to prevent any restriction of the larger converging light cone. The draw tube has a 3" front aperture and 2.4" rear aperture. This new draw tube also permits quick change from visual to imaging operation and allows full camera rotation without focus change. In addition, it has the capability to correct for any residual focal plane tilt and accepts a "position stop" for our digital micrometer to allow repeatable focus measurement to 0.0001".

To maintain squareness to the optical axis while changing camera orientation, the draw tube has four lock screws that tighten against a taper on the "imaging insert" ring. This insert is threaded to accept Tele Vue's new Imaging System accessories including large diameter extension tubes, optical accessories, and camera and CCD attachments, all with mating threads. (Reviewer Note.)

		Accessories (optional) B. LMK-2404/LMF-2405 Digital Indicator Kits for Large Focuser C. DSF-8002 2" Everbrite Star Diagonal D. FDU-2003 Focusmate Driver electronic vari-speed motor control. E. LCL-1069 Large Field Corrector for optimized edge performance on NP101is and NP127is (for big chip sizes) F. NPR-1073 0.8X reducer G. AFT-1105 48mm Filter adapter H. AD2-1110 Apogee U47 D2/Yankee Robtic adpter I. AD7-1111 Apogee U9000/U16 D7/D9 adapter J. STL-1071 SBIG STL series adapter K. TRG-1072 Standard T-Ring adapter L. CWT-2070 Canon Wide T adapter M. A2A-1107 2" Accessory adapter N. TLX-1108 SCT Type Threaded Filter Housing adapter O. TLA-0250 0.25" long threaded extension P. TLB-0375 0.375" long threaded extension Q. TLC-0500 0.500" long threaded extension R. TLD-1000 1.000" long threaded extension S. NPE-1118 1.5x Extender for NPis Scopes
	Focuser Features A. Large Focuser for NP101is and NP127is Standard features (A) include: Drawtube with 3" entrance aperture, 2.4" exit aperture End-ring with tilt capability 4 lock knobs to secure camera equipment or 2" adapter Body has brass clamp ring with 2 lock knobs Focusmate 6:1 dual speed focuser Indexed 2" accessory adapter with brass clamp ring Imaging insert threaded for imaging system components

Click here for NP101is Component Recommendations (Adobe PDF) for prime-focus imaging with various style cameras
Click here for NP127is Component Recommendations (Adobe PDF) for prime-focus imaging with various style cameras
Click here for Imaging System Accessories

The Focusmate 6:1 planetary ball type reduction focuser provides extremely sensitive focus adjustment, measurable with the optional Digital Micrometer Kit to better than 1/10,000". Also, the optional Focusmate Driver permits electronic motor control of the focusing process. The Focusmate Driver has direction push-buttons and adjustable speed. A tap on the button permits vibration-free focusing in steps as small as approximately 0.0005". The Focusmate Driver can be remotely computer controlled with Focusmaster Computer Interface.

Tele Vue has been known for producing visual instruments "even better than you imagined." We aim to achieve the same with our imaging equipment. Our dedicated local machinists and in-house staff are as committed as ever to deliver on these quality and performance goals. (Reviewer Note.)

• Read complete Sky & Telescope TV-NP127is  review.
• Read complete Astronomy TV-NP101is review.

Product List & Code

Imaging System Scopes
NPI-5053			TV-NP127is OTA
NPI-4055			TV-NP101is OTA

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