Description

Kson “Olympus” (ED/APO) F/12 Lunar, Double Star, Planetary and Deep Space Package

We are extremely proud of this scope, and this package.  This “Olympus” is something special.

The “Olympus” F/12 – Kson’s 102mm f/12 focal ratio scope is Designed for the pure pleasure of visual planetary, lunar, double star and DSO viewing, this extraordinary long focal length refractor will impress. It combines a modern optical design with traditional, high quality engineering.  It features FPL51 and Lathanum Doublet – handcrafted polished lenses for deeply detailed, contrast rich images.  It has a 2″ fine focuser allowing the sharpest images possible.  It features a very cool extra long (330mm!!) retractable dew shield making it a portable, while preventing a lot of dew formation.  The smooth white lines with red rings look great.  These ED/APO scopes also come with an extra feature – a terrific handle!  No plastic anywhere.  The “designed for life” philosophy also calls for a serviceable lens cell should you ever need to service it.  It features an extension tube allowing for effective use of Binoviewers.

 

We recommend using the Kson Orthoscopic eyepieces for this scope, or your favourite Masuyama (2″ 32mm is best).

Scope is pictured with 2″ Kson Mirror Diagonal, and 2″ 32mm Kellner (not included as standard).  Note the way the dew shield collapses to make the scope very portable.

Field of view with 7mm and 9mm Fujiyama.

The Mounts

KSON AZ4 – Kson’s second generation AZ4 mount, introduced in 2023 will blow you away.  It’s designed for Australian conditions with an incredibly tough nylon/fibreglass head unit and features a proper counterweight system.  It is as simple to use as you would expect, simply move it up or down, left or right.  No need to know about “equatorial’ stuff, or care about where the “Southern Celestial Pole” might be.  Just point it and what you want to look at.  Unlike any other mount we know, it takes seconds to set up and fold up.  It has plenty of thoughtful features such as extra long slow motion controls that are NOT made of plastic, and feature extremely useful “use in the dark” functions so you can focus on enjoying yourself not finding the slow motion controls!  Of course, once assembled, it can stay assembled if you wish.

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KSON EQ4 – Kson’s second generation EQ4 mount, introduced in 2023 is delightful.  It’s designed for Australian conditions with a incredibly tough nylon/fibreglass head unit and features a proper counterweight system.  It is an equatorial mount.  This means, when you set it up, you point it at the “Southern Celestial Pole” (which is the same place in the sky every night, so you just need to set it once).  It is on an angle, so first time you get it, you adjust the tilt to match where you are in the world (longitude).  Why do all that?  Well, all you need to do once you have found a target, is use a single slow motion controller and turn it to watch the same target for a long time without needing to adjust anything.  This one comes on the steel KT7 base unit, a very solid platform that has been used for over a decade.  It has plenty of thoughtful features such as extra long slow motion controls that are NOT made of plastic, and feature extremely useful “use in the dark” functions so you can focus on enjoying yourself not finding the slow motion controls!  Of course, once assembled, it can stay assembled if you wish.   The EQ4 is capable of mounting some truly heavy scopes later (up to 9kg) if you get more scopes down the track.

The Accessories – This package features an upgrade to the accessories.  It one comes with slow motion controls, an much larger carry case with lots of storage capacity, two good quality eyepieces, and a very high quality centre lock 90 degree mirror diagonal.  We recommend you grab the finder and eyepiece pack to round that out (which will then give you a 40mm, 26mm, 20mm and 10mm eyepiece)..  Optional Quikfinder.

How it’s shipped  – Box 1 – Mount Head, Box 2 – Tripod, Box 3 – Counterweights, Box 4, Refractor.

What else should I get?

We recommend:

Don’t skimp and get yourself a decent 2″ 99% reflectivity diagonal.  You deserve it.

Don’t be mad.  At f/12 get yourself the pier!

If your not an experienced Astronomer, get the “Backyard Astronomers Guide” it’s just so, so useful.

The Kson Starter Pack L is great value (50% off) and can only be bought at the same time as with a Package, so go for it and pick up two very good eyepieces and a matching finder.

Get an Astronomy Headlamp (they are nothing like the ones in the shops – these are extra dim red lights to preserve night vision when changing eyepieces or reading charts and have separate red and white controls so your not blinded by white light) or Night Reader Pro (clips onto key ring – terribly useful).

Other good items : the 495nm filter is always of interest with any achro for the contrast boosting ability , a light eyepiece case.  Maybe some Mozzie Repellant.

More Advice

What’s the next one down?
– No ED/APO glass, though still excellent
– No carry handle
– No large carry case
Your after the “Olympus”, the Kson f/12 monster length lunar, double star and planetary specialist scope.

What’s the next one up?
– The Ki’Mah – a truly fat and glorious 127mm refractor.  Check your aperture fever!
– Light.  Glorious light gathering!
Your after Package F!

International Demand is high for this scope.  Please contact us with your shipping address.

Questions?  Call us on 1300 ASTRODOG or just use the form!