Skip to content
Closed October 10–12 for Thanksgiving weekend
Closed October 10–12 for Thanksgiving weekend
Refractors

Refractors

Refractors earn their following through consistency. A sealed lens system holds collimation indefinitely, cools quickly, gives high-contrast views without a central obstruction, and — in modern apochromatic form — produces the clean, round stars that make wide-field astrophotography look effortless. David Astro carries refractors in Canada, from compact 50 mm travel astrographs to large apochromatic triplets, shipping from Canadian stock.

We image with refractors under Canadian skies and can speak to the practical differences between doublets and triplets, and between glass types, in terms of what actually shows in a finished image rather than what appears on a specification sheet.

Filters

Explore Scientific Galileoscope Refractor Telescope STEM Kit
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00

Explore Scientific Galileoscope Refractor Telescope STEM Kit

ES-GSCOPE

Hands-On Telescope Assembly: Build a functional refractor telescope from the ground up. No Tools Required: All components snap together in minut...

View full details
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
Explore Scientific Sidara Essential 102 Refractor Telescope
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00

Explore Scientific Sidara Essential 102 Refractor Telescope

ES-AR102660-MAZ01-ST10

102mm Refractor Optical Tube Alt-Azimuth Mount with Slow-Motion Controls Dual-Axis Tracking Capability SkyAssist Guided Navigation Compatibility ...

View full details
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
Explore Scientific Sidara Nano 90 Telescope System
CA$420.00 - CA$420.00
CA$420.00
CA$420.00 - CA$420.00
CA$420.00

Explore Scientific Sidara Nano 90 Telescope System

ES-AR90700-MAZ-NANO

Refractor Optical Design Compact Alt-Azimuth Mount Slow-Motion Controls for Smooth Tracking SkyAssist Navigation Compatibility Optimized for Lunar...

View full details
CA$420.00 - CA$420.00
CA$420.00
CA$420.00 - CA$420.00
CA$420.00
Explore Scientific Sidara Plus 127 Refractor Telescope
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00

Explore Scientific Sidara Plus 127 Refractor Telescope

ES-AR127820-MAZ01

127mm (5-inch) Refractor Optics 820mm Focal Length Lightweight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount Dual-Axis Slow-Motion Controls SkyAssist Digital Guidance Co...

View full details
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
Explore Scientific Sidara Pro 102 Telescope System
CA$1,120.00 - CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00 - CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00

Explore Scientific Sidara Pro 102 Telescope System

ES-AR102660-SAGT-ST10

102mm Refractor Telescope Sidara Pro GoTo Mount SkyAssist Guided Navigation System Designed for Visual Astronomy Suitable for Planetary & Deep...

View full details
CA$1,120.00 - CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00 - CA$1,120.00
CA$1,120.00
Explore Scientific Sidara Pro 80
CA$840.00 - CA$840.00
CA$840.00
CA$840.00 - CA$840.00
CA$840.00

Explore Scientific Sidara Pro 80

ES-AR80900-SAGT-ST10

80mm Refractor Telescope Sidara Pro GoTo Mount SkyAssist Automated Object Location Optimized for Lunar & Planetary Viewing Beginner-Friendly G...

View full details
CA$840.00 - CA$840.00
CA$840.00
CA$840.00 - CA$840.00
CA$840.00
iOptron 80mm Refractor
CA$181.00 - CA$181.00
CA$181.00
CA$181.00 - CA$181.00
CA$181.00

iOptron 80mm Refractor

IOP-8710

80mm Achromatic Refractor Optics 400mm Focal Length (f/5) Lightweight 2.2 lbs Optical Tube Includes 25mm and 9mm 1.25" Eyepieces 45º Erect Image D...

View full details
CA$181.00 - CA$181.00
CA$181.00
CA$181.00 - CA$181.00
CA$181.00
CA$3,339.00 - CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00 - CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00

SharpStar 100QII f/5.8 Quadruplet APO

SSO-100QII

Compare with the first generation products, it has the following features: 1 The optical design has changed, in addition to the original F5.8 foc...

View full details
CA$3,339.00 - CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00 - CA$3,339.00
CA$3,339.00
CA$5,319.00 - CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00 - CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00

SharpStar 121SDQ f/5.6 Quintuplet APO

SSO-121SDQ

This product is a new generation of independent design of quintuple air-spaced high quality refractor telescope which take the form of dual after...

View full details
CA$5,319.00 - CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00 - CA$5,319.00
CA$5,319.00
CA$6,159.00 - CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00 - CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00

SharpStar 140PH f/6.5 Triplet APO

SSO-140PH

140mm Aperture 910mm Focal Length f/6.5 Focal Ratio Triplet Air-Spaced APO Objective with Two ED Elements 0.83 arc-seconds Resolution 10.1kg Net W...

View full details
CA$6,159.00 - CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00 - CA$6,159.00
CA$6,159.00
Sold out
CA$615.00 - CA$615.00
CA$615.00
CA$615.00 - CA$615.00
CA$615.00

SharpStar 50EDPH f/5.5 Triplet APO

SSO-SHEDPH50

50mm Aperture Triplet APO Objective 275mm Focal Length f/5.5 Focal Ratio Includes Two ED Glass Elements 1.07kg Total Weight 196mm Retracted Length...

View full details
CA$615.00 - CA$615.00
CA$615.00
CA$615.00 - CA$615.00
CA$615.00
Sold out
CA$2,303.00 - CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00 - CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00

SharpStar 94EDPH f/5.5 Triplet APO

SSO-94EDPH

Aperture: 94mm Focal Ratio: f/5.5 Focal Length: 517mm Optical Design: Triplet APO with Two ED Elements Weight: 3.3KG Description FAQ Specificat...

View full details
CA$2,303.00 - CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00 - CA$2,303.00
CA$2,303.00
CA$3,233.00 - CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00 - CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00

Sharpstar Z4 100mm f/5.5 Sextuplet Apo Astrograph

SSO-Z4

100mm Aperture f/5.5 Focal Ratio / 550mm Focal Length Sextuplet Air-Spaced APO Optical Design 36mm Corrected Image Circle 4.3kg Net Weight Desc...

View full details
CA$3,233.00 - CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00 - CA$3,233.00
CA$3,233.00
CA$4,580.00 - CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00 - CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00

Sky-Watcher EDX 120 Super APO Triplet f/7 Telescope

CA$4,580.00 - CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00 - CA$4,580.00
CA$4,580.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00

Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 EDX Super APO Triplet f/5.5 Telescope

SW-S11435

100mm Super-Apochromatic Triplet Optics 550mm Focal Length at f/5.5 3.4" Dual-Speed (11:1) Rack & Pinion Focuser 16 lb Optical Tube Weight Inc...

View full details
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$6,670.00 - CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00 - CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00

Sky-Watcher Esprit 150 EDX Super APO Triplet f/7 Telescope

SW-S11455

Designed with the discerning astrophotographer in mind, Sky-Watcher’s ALL NEW top-of-the-line Esprit EDX refractors deliver the kind of imaging per...

View full details
CA$6,670.00 - CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00 - CA$6,670.00
CA$6,670.00
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00

Sky-Watcher Esprit 70EDX Super APO Triplet f/7 Telescope

SW-S11425

70mm Super-Apochromatic ED Triplet Optics 490mm Focal Length at f/7 2.7" Dual-Speed (11:1) Rack & Pinion Focuser 7-pound Optical Tube Assembly...

View full details
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
CA$1,240.00 - CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00 - CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00

Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 100 APO f/7 Doublet Telescope

SW-S11145

100mm Aperture Apochromatic Doublet Refractor FPL-53 Extra-Low Dispersion Glass 700mm Focal Length at f/7 Lightweight 8.4-pound Optical Tube Assem...

View full details
CA$1,240.00 - CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00 - CA$1,240.00
CA$1,240.00
Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 120 APO f/7.5 Doublet Telescope
Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 120 APO f/7.5 Doublet Telescope
Sold out
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00

Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 120 APO f/7.5 Doublet Telescope

SW-S11155

120mm Aperture Apochromatic Doublet Refractor FPL-53 Extra-Low Dispersion Glass 900mm Focal Length at f/7.5 2.8-inch Dual-Speed (11:1) Crayford Fo...

View full details
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00 - CA$1,800.00
CA$1,800.00
Sold out
CA$1,040.00 - CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00 - CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00

Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 80 APO f/7.5 Doublet Telescope

SW-S11135

80mm Apochromatic Doublet 600mm Focal Length (f/7.5) FPL-53 Extra-Low Dispersion Glass 2.8" Dual-Speed (11:1) Crayford Focuser 7.3 pound Optical T...

View full details
CA$1,040.00 - CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00 - CA$1,040.00
CA$1,040.00
SVBONY SV48P 102mm f/6.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA
SVBONY SV48P 102mm f/6.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA
CA$322.00 - CA$322.00
CA$322.00
CA$322.00 - CA$322.00
CA$322.00

SVBONY SV48P 102mm f/6.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA

SV-F9341C

102mm Aperture 663mm Focal Length (f/6.5) Achromatic Doublet Lens 2.5-inch Dual-Speed RAP Focuser 210mm Vixen-Style Dovetail Description FAQ Sp...

View full details
CA$322.00 - CA$322.00
CA$322.00
CA$322.00 - CA$322.00
CA$322.00
SVBONY SV48P 90mm f/5.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA
SVBONY SV48P 90mm f/5.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA
CA$293.00 - CA$293.00
CA$293.00
CA$293.00 - CA$293.00
CA$293.00

SVBONY SV48P 90mm f/5.5 Achromatic Refractor Telescope OTA

SV-F9341A

90mm Aperture 500mm Focal Length (f/5.5) Achromatic Doublet Lens 2-inch Dual-Speed Rack-and-Pinion Focuser Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) Optics Net Wei...

View full details
CA$293.00 - CA$293.00
CA$293.00
CA$293.00 - CA$293.00
CA$293.00
SVBONY SV501P 60mm f/6.4 Refractor Telescope
CA$79.00 - CA$79.00
CA$79.00
CA$79.00 - CA$79.00
CA$79.00

SVBONY SV501P 60mm Portable Refractor Telescope

SV-F9348E

60mm Aperture Refractor 400mm Focal Length (f/6.4) 45° Correct-Image Prism for Terrestrial and Astro Viewing Includes K20mm Eyepiece (20x Magnific...

View full details
CA$79.00 - CA$79.00
CA$79.00
CA$79.00 - CA$79.00
CA$79.00
CA$224.00 - CA$224.00
CA$224.00
CA$224.00 - CA$224.00
CA$224.00

SVBONY SV501P 70/400 Portable Refractor Telescope

SV-F9348A

70mm Aperture Refractor 400mm Focal Length F5.7 Focal Ratio Includes 20mm Kellner Eyepiece (20x) 45° Correct-Image Prism Diagonal for Terrestrial ...

View full details
CA$224.00 - CA$224.00
CA$224.00
CA$224.00 - CA$224.00
CA$224.00

Doublets, Triplets and Glass Types

The purpose of an apochromatic design is to bring three wavelengths to a common focus, eliminating the violet halo that achromatic refractors show on bright stars. How well it does that depends on the glass and the number of elements.

  • ED doublets: Two elements with one extra-low dispersion element. Lighter, less expensive, and excellent for imaging, with a small residual colour that is rarely visible in processed images.
  • Apochromatic triplets: Three elements giving near-complete colour correction, preferred for high-contrast visual observing and for imaging bright stars without halos. Heavier and slower to cool.
  • Petzval designs: Four-element optics with the field correction built in, so no separate flattener is needed and back-focus is fixed by the manufacturer — the simplest path to flat fields.
  • Achromatic refractors: Two-element crown and flint designs, excellent value for lunar, planetary and general visual use where some colour fringing on bright objects is acceptable.
  • Focal ratio: Fast refractors around f/5 give wide fields and short exposures; f/7 and slower give more image scale and are more forgiving of corrector spacing.
  • Matched correctors: Most refractors need a flattener or reducer designed for that specific model, spaced to its exact back-focus.

Why Choose David Astro for Refractors

A refractor is usually bought as the centre of an imaging system, so it should be specified alongside the mount and camera rather than on its own.

  • Corrector matched at the point of sale: We identify the flattener or reducer designed for your specific tube and supply the spacers to hit its back-focus exactly.
  • Focuser load assessed: We check that the stock focuser will carry your intended camera train without slip, and recommend an upgrade only when it genuinely will not.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty and verified authenticity, with service handled inside Canada.
  • Ships from Canadian stock: No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers, and no extra border handling for a precision optic.
  • Support after first light: Help with spacing, tilt and star shape diagnosis once the telescope is on the sky.

Refractors in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

Doublet or triplet for imaging?
A good ED doublet is entirely sufficient for most deep-sky imaging and is lighter on the mount. A triplet shows its advantage on bright stars and in high-contrast visual use, at meaningful extra weight and cost.
Do I need a field flattener?
For imaging with anything larger than a small sensor, yes — a two-element refractor has a curved focal plane and corners will show elongated stars without one. Petzval designs have it built in.
How long does a refractor take to cool?
A small doublet is usable almost immediately. A large triplet can take 45 minutes or more to stabilize in Canadian winter conditions, and imaging before it does will show soft, bloated stars.
Is a small refractor enough for deep sky?
Yes, given integration time. A 60 to 80 mm apochromat on a good mount produces excellent wide-field images; total exposure time substitutes for aperture in imaging in a way it cannot for visual work.

Specifying a refractor?

Tell us your mount, camera and targets and we will match the tube and its corrector. Canadian stock, no surprise duties.