11 replies to this topic

[25585]

Came across their site looking around. This maker does a couple of apos, and some very long FL achro lenses. Has anyone here used an Istar anything?

 

https://www.istar-op...achromatic.html

 

 

[John Huntley]

Came across their site looking around. This maker does a couple of apos, and some very long FL achro lenses. Has anyone here used an Istar anything?

 

https://www.istar-op...achromatic.html

I had an Istar Perseus 150mm F/12 achromat for a while. Lovely objective and a really well build OTA but a monster of a scope to mount and handle I found. 

 

I nearly went for the 150mm F/15 which was for sale at the same time - I'm rather glad that I didn't, with hindsight.

 

The Istar 127mm F/12 R30 has always been of interest to me as well - Neil English used to own one which he was very enthusiastic about. Here is a review by another owner:

 

https://istar-optica...tor-review.html

[Alrakis]

My understanding is since the owner passed away that they are in the process of closing shop. 

 

Chris 

[scout]

I had never heard of Istar Telescopes until last month when I saw this ad for a giant 204mm "semi-ED" Istar Phoenix refractor for just under $3,000. Horrible picture and limited information:

 

https://slo.craigsli...7801474378.html

 

The Istar was for sale near San Francisco when it was originally listed, but I guess the owner has since moved 200 miles south.

Edited by scout, 14 December 2024 - 03:34 PM.

[Kunama]

ISTAR are not accepting orders at the moment due to Ales Krivanek having passed away.  I’m not sure if his previous partner Mike is still involved with the company.

 

Their scopes were very well made, I previously owned their 150mm F10 Perseus version which was excellent and gave great views for an achromatic scope.

Edited by Kunama, 14 December 2024 - 03:53 PM.

[PETER DREW]

I purchased an Istar 150mm F10 objective several years ago to build my solar Ha telescope.  I have been very happy with the performance.

[VZsohar]

I had the best views with my Istar 228 f7.7 some years ago. I built this scope in 2014.  Now my telescope is waiting for a new mount. So excited to observe with this sublime scope soon again. I also had an Istar 6” f8 “R30” scope, and it did not disappoint neither.

[25585]

There are some 127mm Istar lenses for sale here  https://irpoyser.co....nch-istar-lens/

[Jim Curry]

I built two scopes with Istar lenses.  4" and 6" f12's.  Wonderful scopes, very good lenses, highly recommend if you can find one.  People tend to hold onto them.

[ABQJeff]

I have an Istar Phantom 140mm F/6.5.  Lovely APO, 0.96 Strehl in Green.   At $4500 quite affordable vs the CFF 140 F/6.5 or a TEC 140 F/7.

 

Very sorry to hear of Ales passing, condolences to the whole family.  Ales seemed fine a year ago when I was emailing with him and his wife about some parts for my scope.

 

Note: Airy Disk and Teleskop Express sell the same FCD-100 based triplets from the same manufacturer, but they don't come with the Strehl guarantee.  I tried talking Airy Disk into a premium line.

[ShortLobster]

I have an Istar 150 F/8 refractor that gives beautiful, high-contrast views. I've also used it for astrophotography. The OTA is built to last and is a joy to operate. 

 

Ales will be missed. We communicated regularly and his enthusiasm for astronomy and minerals was infectious. 

[fsphotography]

I carried out a d.i.y. build using a second hand Istar Perseus  127mm F8 lens several years ago, its a beautiful

lens and i'm more than happy with it. Vale Ales.

 

Frank.