CHF 339.00incl. Swiss VAT
Will be ordered for you
Timeframe: 10 days to 3 weeks
Estimated shipping: Between November 22 and 27, 2026
The Sky-Watcher Startravel 102/500 AZ PRONTO is the ideal telescope for amateur astronomers looking for a simple, high-performance and extremely versatile instrument. Designed in the “grab-and-go” spirit, it offers rapid set-up and ease of use, while delivering bright, immersive images. Thanks to its compact design and excellent value for money, it's a perfect choice for beginners and experienced observers alike who want a lightweight, versatile instrument.
This model belongs to the Startravel, the world's first wide-field observatory. It is a two-lens achromatic refractor, offering excellent optical quality. With a diameter of 102 mm and a short focal length of 500 mm (i.e. a fast focal ratio of f/4.9), this telescope is particularly well suited to rich-field observations. It allows you to explore vast areas of the sky with bright, detailed images.
The Startravel 102 excels at observing star clusterand nebulaeand star fieldsand comets and bright galaxies. It is also very effective for observing Moon and planets, It also offers a spectacular view of lunar and solar eclipses (with a suitable filter). Its ability to capture 62.5% more light than an 80 mm model ensures brighter, more detailed images.
This versatile telescope is also perfectly suited to terrestrial observation. Thanks to the right-angle 45° return Thanks to its high light output, it offers a straight image, ideal for observing nature or distant subjects during the day. Its fast focal ratio also makes it an excellent choice for photography, whether astrophotography or terrestrial DSLR photography, thanks to its direct connection for camera.
The telescope is supplied with two eyepieces of 10 mm and 20 mm, which enables magnifications of x50 and x25. It can reach a maximum useful magnification of x204, offering great flexibility depending on the targets observed. The red dot viewfinder makes it easy to point at objects, making the experience fluid and accessible, even for beginners.
The Dual-Fit 1.25″/2″ Eyepiece Holder is an important asset, enabling the use of accessories in a variety of formats to extend observation possibilities. This flexibility is particularly appreciated by users wishing to upgrade their equipment over time.
The frame AZ PRONTO Alt-Azimuth is designed for stability and intuitive operation. Equipped with slow motion controls on the azimuth and altitude axes, for precise and comfortable tracking of celestial objects. Its full rotation at 360° in azimuth and its amplitude of -70° to +90° at altitude ensure freedom of movement.
The tripod in stainless steel is sturdy and stable, yet height-adjustable from 680 mm to 1160 mm. It is accompanied by a 21.5 cm extension tube, An accessory tray completes the package for practical use in the field. An accessory tray completes the package for practical use in the field.
Finally, the telescope is supplied with a universal smartphone adapter, compatible with 54 to 90 mm wide. This accessory makes it easy to capture images of the Moon or sky, offering an excellent introduction to astrophotography.
The Sky-Watcher Startravel 102/500 AZ PRONTO is a complete, high-performance, upgradeable instrument. Its versatility, ease of use and wide-field observation capabilities make it an excellent choice for discovering astronomy and photography, while enjoying the benefits of a practical, transportable telescope.
The Sky-Watcher StarTravel 102/500 is a 102-mm achromatic refractor with a focal length of 500 mm (f/4.9), an ideal visual observation instrument for beginners. It reveals the Moon in detail, Jupiter’s bands, Saturn’s rings, Mars at opposition, and bright deep-sky objects: the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Hercules Cluster (M13), and beautiful open clusters. Its short focal ratio provides wide fields of view, perfect for sweeping the Milky Way; when observing planets at high magnification, a slight colored halo appears around bright objects.
Yes. Like any telescope, it is factory-aligned and requires no optical adjustments: simply set it up, let the tube sit outdoors for a few minutes, and start observing. The enclosed tube stays clean, and maintenance is minimal. Its azimuth mount is operated by hand, with no need for alignment or power.
For a comparable diameter, an achromatic telescope is generally less expensive than a Maksutov, warms up faster, and has no central obstruction, which preserves contrast. With a focal length of only 500 mm—compared to often more than double that for a Maksutov—it offers a much wider field of view for star clusters and large nebulae; the Maksutov retains the advantage of high planetary magnification.
Included eyepieces: 20 mm (25×) and 10 mm (50×). The magnification is calculated by dividing the telescope’s focal length (500 mm) by that of the eyepiece. To explore the Moon and the planets in greater detail, a 4-mm eyepiece (125×) is a good addition to the kit; the maximum useful magnification is around 204×.
That’s not what it’s designed for. The achromatic objective lens leaves a purple halo around stars and bright objects: in astrophotography, this flaw is very noticeable. For deep-sky photography, an apochromatic telescope is the right tool. The Sky-Watcher StarTravel 102/500 remains, above all, an excellent observational instrument.
StarTravel 102/500 Tube, 20 mm and 10 mm Eyepieces (1.25″), Red-dot finder, 45° 1.25″ Erecting Prism, AZ Pronto Mount, Stainless Steel Tripod with Plate (68 to 116 cm), 21.5 cm Extension Tube, Smartphone Adapter.
