Page 1
®
Tele Vue
-85
Operating Guide
600mm f/7
2-ELEMENT APO REFRACTOR
Thank you for purchasing the
experience. The wonderfully versatile hand-built 3-1/3” aperture telescope features a diffraction limited,
600mm focal length, f/7 APO doublet objective which delivers razor sharp images sure to please you
for years to come and wherever you observing interests lead you.
WARNING: NEVER try to look at the sun or point the telescope toward or near the sun without
professional solar observing equipment rigidly secured in front of the objective lens. When
observing the sun with the proper filters, use only the Tele Vue “Sol-Searcher” (SSF-1006) for
finding the Sun. Remove any other finding devices such as Starbeam from the telescope. Instant
and permanent eye damage may result from viewing the sun directly, even during a solar eclipse, or when
viewing through thin clouds, or when the sun is near the horizon.
Standard features of the optical tube assembly (O.T.A.) include: sliding dew shield, screw-on cover, 2”
rack and pinion focuser, and custom padded carrying bag. The
2” Everbrite diagonal, 2” to 1¼” adapter, Ring Mount, Telescope Balance Adapter, and Plössl eyepiece.
Tele Vue-
85. We hope it brings great enjoyment to your observing
Tele Vue-
85 package also includes a
Mounting - The Tele Vue Ring Mount permits mounting to the Tele Vue Gibraltar, Panoramic, and
Tele-Pod mounts, or heavy duty camera tripods. Tele Vue also has adapter plates to allow attachment on
specific equatorial mounts (consult your Tele Vue dealer).
Finders - For night use, we recommend the Starbeam reflex sight (SFT-2003) to complement the wide field
of the telescope. The Starbeam attaches to the Ring Mount and can be left in place when the scope is
stored in its case.
Use the Qwik-Point (part # QBT-1006) for daytime spotting. It’s beam is bright enough for use in
even bright sunlight. However it is too bright for nighttime use.
Terrestrial Viewing Considerations - Indeed, the Cornell Ornithology Lab comparison reported the Tele
Vue-85 as having the finest optics for birding.
The Tele Vue 55mm Plössl or 41mm Panoptic in a 2” diagonal will provide a 4.4° true field. This
can serve as a finder, for rich field viewing or for terrestrial use. (Image is upright, but left-right reversed
using diagonal mirrors.)
Tele Vue developed the 1¼” 60° Everbrite Diagonal (part# DPC-6012) specifically for terrestrial
observers who appreciate the highest levels of image performance. The 60° angle is far more comfortable
for terrestrial observing than the standard 90°, and the 99% reflective Everbrite dielectric coating gives the
truest color rendition of any mirror or prism, and is sharpest at the highest powers.
For correct left-right viewing, use the Tele Vue 45° erector (part# AMI-0011). Barlows, Powermates
and Bino Vue are not recommended with the 45° erector. For 1¼” diagonals and prisms, the 32mm Plössl
or 24mm Panoptic offer the maximum field. 2.6° at 19x and 25x respectively.
If you use the telescope in a harsh environment such as at a beach where sand, mud and salt spray
are present, or for birding, you may wish to use a 95mm clear filter for protection, while using the telescope.
It is available from camera dealers, and simply screws onto the lens cell in place of the cover. These filters
are generally not used for astronomy as they can degrade optical quality.
Tele Vue
Visionary
®
32 Elkay Dr., Chester, New York 10918 (845) 469-4551. televue.com
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Getting Acquainted with Your New
1.1 Optical Tube Assembly
Tele Vue
-85
The OTA consists of the objective cell, tube and focuser. The front cell houses the carefully aligned objective. Never attempt to loosen the 3 alignment screws in the front lens cell. The tube is aluminum and
powder coated, requiring no special care. The rack and pinion focuser is driven by high leverage 1:1
knobs on both the left and right sides, and a 10:1 reduction knob only on the right side. The two tension
screws on the top of the focuser body can be adjusted to add resistance when using heavy eyepieces.
These tension screws tighten against a brass clamp ring, which then cinches down on the Teflon sleeve
in which the draw tube slides. For photography it is not necessary to tighten beyond the need to keep a
camera stationary. Even when sufficiently tight, the focuser knobs can still drive the draw tube. The two
lock screws in the end of the draw tube also tighten against a brass clamp ring for extra holding power
on the diagonal or other accessories.
1.2 Ring Mount
The Ring Mount permits easy telescope balancing. Simply unlock the “bat handle,” reposition the telescope
by sliding it fore or aft, and re-lock. Slots with 10-32 holes are available for mounting accessories.
1.3 Eyepieces
Tele Vue eyepieces offer a range of magnifications from 11x to 200x, with the
Tele Vue-85
. We
recommend choosing low and medium power eyepieces in ratios of field stop diameters. For example,
factors of 1.4 or 2.0. When choosing higher power eyepieces, use ratios of magnification. (see reference
chart in the “Choosing Your Eyepieces” article.)
1.4 Photography
For prime focus photography at 600mm f/7 using a 35mm SLR, use camera adapter (part# ACM-2000).
For flat field astrophotography at 480mm f/5.6, use the Tele Vue 0.8x reducer/flattener, (part# TRF-2008).
Tele Vue Powermates with optional T-ring adapters provide a variety of options for extending focal length.
To reach focus with the Powermates requires our 3.5” extension tube. Afocal photography can be done
using our various digital camera to eyepiece adapters. For Piggyback 35mm SLR photography, attach
the Piggy-Cam platform, (part# PGC-1001) to the Ring Mount.
Mounting points are provided on top of the focuser body and draw tube for easy installation of the
Digital Micrometer Kits (part#s RMK-2002 or RMF-2003). These kits allow imagers to index focus position to within 0.0001”, providing a very convenient way of finding best focus, returning to it, or checking
that it hasn’t changed. The dual speed focuser with its 10:1 focus reduction provides extraordinarily fine
focus adjustment for critical focusing. The Focusmate Driver (part# FDF-2004) adds hands free motorized
focusing and the Focusmaster permits remote PC focusing via ASCOM compliant focusing software. For
installation, setup and use of the Digital Micrometer Kit, FocusmateTM, Focusmate Driver and FocusmasterTM,
see the instructions included with each.
1.5 Caring for the
Tele Vue-
85 requires no special care. Treat it as you would any fine camera lens. Use the lens cap
Tele Vue
-85
when the telescope is being stored or not in use. The captive dew shield provides protection from glare,
helps protect the lens from dust or spray blown in by the wind and minimizes dew formation on the lens.
If dew forms on the lens during cold weather, it is best to use an electric hair dryer (on the lowest
setting) to gently warm it away. A few specks of dust will have no effect on the quality of the image, and
may be gently blown off with a squeeze bulb. Do not use compressed air cans to blow dust off any optical surfaces.
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Sliding Dew Shield
Front Cell
Alignment Screws
(factory sealed)
Ring Mount
Lens
Cover
Tube
Accessory
Channel
Focuser Tension
Knobs
Lock Screws
Bat Handle
OTA show with
standard accessories
Digital
Focuser Knob
Draw Tube
Micrometer
Attachment
Points
2” to 1¼”
Eyepiece
Adapter
Diagonal
Page 4
Tele Vue recommends choosing low and medium power eyepieces in ratios of field stop diameters. For
example, factors of 1.4 or 2.0. When choosing higher power eyepieces, use ratios of magnification.
Tele Vue-85
Focal
Length
(mm)
Type Product Code
Apparent
Field (deg)
Field Stop Dia.
(mm)
Eye Relief
(mm)
Weight
(lb.)
Mag.
2" Eyepieces for Wide True Fields
55 Plössl EPL-55.0 50 46.0 38 1.1 10.9 4.39 7.8 4 Y
41 Panoptic EPO-41.0 68 46.0 27 2.1 14.6 4.39 5.8 6 Y
31 Nagler 5 EN5-31.0 82 42.0 19 2.2 19.4 4.01 4.4 6 Y
35 Panoptic EPO-35.0 68 38.7 24 1.6 17.1 3.70 5.0 6 Y
21 Ethos ETH-21.0 100 36.2 15 2.3 28.6 3.46 3.0 - Y
26 Nagler 5 EN5-26.0 82 35.0 16 1.6 23.1 3.34 3.7 6 Y
22 Nagler 4 EN4-22.0 82 31.1 19 1.5 27.3 2.97 3.1 7 Y
27 Panoptic EPO-27.0 68 30.5 19 1.0 22.2 2.91 3.8 6 Y
17 Ethos ETH-17.0 100 29.6 15 1.6 35.3 2.83 2.4 - Y
20 Nagler 5 EN5-20.0 82 27.4 12 1.0 30.0 2.62 2.8 6 Y*
17 Nagler 4 EN4-17.0 82 24.3 17 1.6 35.3 2.32 2.4 7 Y
1¼" Eyepieces for Wide True Fields
40 Plössl EPL-40.0 43 27.0 28 0.4 15.0 2.58 5.7 4 Y
32 Plössl EPL-32.0 50 27.0 22 0.4 18.8 2.58 4.5 4 Y
24 Panoptic EPO-24.0 68 27.0 15 0.5 25.0 2.58 3.4 6 Y*
13 Ethos ETH-13.0 100 22.3 15 1.3 46.2 2.13 1.8 - Y
16 Nagler 5 EN5-16.0 82 22.1 10 0.4 37.5 2.11 2.3 6 N
19 Panoptic EPO-19.0 68 21.3 13 0.4 31.6 2.03 2.7 6 Y*
25 Plössl EAP-25.0 50 21.2 17 0.3 24.0 2.02 3.5 4 N
17.3 Delos EDL-17.3 72 21.2 20 0.9 34.7 2.02 2.5 - Y
10 Ethos ETH-10.0 100 17.7 15 1.1 60.0 1.69 1.4 - Y
13 Nagler 6 EN6-13.0 82 17.6 12 0.4 46.2 1.68 1.8 7 Y*
14 Delos EDL-14.0 72 17.3 20 0.9 42.9 1.65 2.0 - Y
20 Plössl EAP-20.0 50 17.1 14 0.2 30.0 1.63 2.8 4 N
12 Nagler 4 EN4-12.0 82 17.1 17 1.0 50.0 1.63 1.7 6 Y
1¼" Eyepieces for Medium Powers
12 Delos EDL-12.0 72 15.0 20 0.9 50.0 1.43 1.7 - Y
11 Nagler 6 EN6-11.0 82 14.9 12 0.4 54.5 1.42 1.6 7 Y*
10 Delos EDL-10.0 72 12.7 20 0.9 60.0 1.21 1.4 - Y
15 Plössl EAP-15.0 50 12.6 10 0.2 40.0 1.20 2.1 4 N
9 Nagler 6 EN6-09.0 82 12.4 12 0.4 66.7 1.18 1.3 7 Y*
11 Plössl EAP-11.0 50 9.1 8 0.1 54.5 0.87 1.6 4 N
1¼" Eyepieces for Higher Powers
8 Ethos ETH-08.0 100 13.9 15 1.0 75.0 1.33 1.1 - Y
6 Ethos ETH-06.0 100 10.4 15 1.0 100.0 0.99 0.9 - Y
8 Delos EDL-08.0 72 9.9 20 1.0 75.0 0.95 1.1 - Y
7 Nagler 6 EN6-07.0 82 9.7 12 0.5 85.7 0.93 1.0 7 Y*
4.7 Ethos SX ETH-04.7 110 8.9 15 1.3 127.7 0.85 0.7 - Y
6 Delos EDL-06.0 72 7.6 20 1.0 100.0 0.73 0.9 - Y
3.7 Ethos SX ETH-03.7 110 7.0 15 1.1 162.2 0.67 0.5 - Y
5 Nagler 6 EN6-05.0 82 7.0 12 0.5 120.0 0.67 0.7 7 Y*
8 Plössl EAP-08.0 50 6.5 6 0.1 75.0 0.62 1.1 4 N
4.5 Delos EDL-04.5 72 5.6 20 1.1 133.3 0.53 0.6 - Y
3.5 Nagler 6 EN6-03.5 82 4.8 12 0.5 171.4 0.46 0.5 7 Y*
3.5 Delos EDL-03.5 72 4.4 20 1.1 171.4 0.42 0.5 - Y
2.5 Nagler 6 EN6-02.5 82 3.4 12 0.5 240.0 0.32 0.4 7 Y*
1¼" Zoom Eyepieces for Medium and Higher Powers
6-3 Nagler Zoom ENZ-0306 50 5.1-2.6 10 0.3
4-2 Nagler Zoom ENZ-0204 50 3.3-1.7 10 0.4
NOTE: True Field in degrees = (Field Stop dia./Telescope Focal Length) X 57.3° *Indicates additional Dioptrx Adapter required
100.0-
200.0
150.0-
300.0
True
Field
(deg)
0.49-
0.25
0.32-
0.16
Exit
Pupil
(mm)
0.9-
0.4
0.6-
0.3
# of
Elem.
5 N
5 N
Dioptrx
Ready
Page 5
Fingerprints, however should be cleaned off. Though the anti-reflection coatings are durable, they
are easily scratched. The simplest cleaning method is to moisten a very soft, lint-free tissue, cloth, “Q-Tip”
or surgical cotton with a lens or glass cleaner and gently whisk away the stain. Do not apply any solutions
directly to the glass surfaces. After every cleaning stroke, use a fresh applicator. The fewer strokes the
better! Any residual “film” will not affect visual performance.
Collimation of your
Tele Vue-
85 has been locked at the factory. With reasonable care it will
remain aligned. However, rough handling can cause misalignment. WARNING: Do not loosen the button head screws in the front lens cell as this will cause misalignment. If necessary, contact Tele Vue for
re-collimation.
Your star diagonal employs a first-surface mirror. Like all first-surface mirrors, it should be cleaned only
when absolutely necessary. First blow loose dust away with a squeeze bulb. CAUTION: Do not clean
mirror with water or water based cleaners such as Windex or any other commercial lens cleaners; this is
not a lens. All contain too much water and will leave a residue. Moisten a “Q-Tip” with pure acetone or
methanol or Isopropyl alcohol, reagent grade. Clean gently using only the weight of the cotton swab. Use
very light pressure and never rub. Slight residual stains or dust spots will have no visible effects in observing.
The tube is powder-coated for durability and can be polished with any non-abrasive car wax. Black
anodized surfaces can be cleaned with Windex.
If you have any questions about the care, operation or performance of your
Tele Vue-
85, please call
Tele Vue at (845) 469-4551 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.
1.6 Warranty
The
Tele Vue-
85 is warranted to be free of manufacturing or workmanship defects for 5 (five) years
from the date of purchase, to the original owner. Please return the warranty card for easy identification. If
your
Tele Vue-
85 requires warranty service, please call Tele Vue to discuss the defect, upon which you
will receive a return authorization. NO RETURNS ARE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.
The warranty does NOT include: collimation, defects caused by mis-handling, defects of subjective
nature, coverage for any telescope purchased through an unauthorized Tele Vue dealer.
Warranty work will be performed at Tele Vue’s discretion and may only be performed by Tele Vue
Optics. The telescope must be shipped in its case with proper inner and outer packaging. Return shipping
and insurance charges are the purchaser’s responsibility.
1.7 Specifications
Type 2-element APO refractor, Fully Multi-Coated
Clear Aperture 3.35 inches (85mm)
Aperture Gain 147, compared to a 7mm exit pupil
Focal Length 600mm
Focal Ratio f/7
Resolution (visual) 1.4 arc-sec. (Dawes Limit for a 3.35-inch aperture)
Resolution (photographic) 200 line pairs per mm
Magnification 11x to 200x using Tele Vue eyepieces
Field, Visual 4.4o at 11x
Focuser 2-inch, rack and pinion type with 10:1 reduction
Diagonal 2-inch Everbite 99% broadband mirror type, with 1¼” adapter
Finder Optional Starbeam or 55mm Plössl for 11x, 4.4o field
Mounting Adjustable ring mount with ¼-20 tapped holes for standard photographic tripods or Tele
Vue mountings
Weight 6.1 lbs. (O.T.A. only) 8.0 lbs. (complete package)
Length 19.0-inches (O.T.A. only), 21.9” w/ 2” star diagonal
Accessories custom fitted soft case, screw-on lens cover, sliding dew (glare) shield, ring mount, 2”
diagonal, 2”-1¼” adapter, Plössl eyepiece
Tube Powder-coated aluminum
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Page 6
1.8 Photo-visual Configurations
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