The Sky-Watcher 80mm (3.1'') telescope is two-element, air-spaced, fully multi- coated objective, refractor. It gives images which are crisp and with very little chromatic aberration. One of the greatest assets of these solidly built telescopes is portability. The light-weight optical tube (1.5kg or 3.3lbs ) and the compressed lengths of about 480mm (18") make it easy to transport. Its optical tube can be adapted to fit into an airline carry-on bag, or into a hiker's backpack. Whether it is to be used as a beginner's telescope, a "rich-field", a backup, a guide scope or a travelling telescope, the very reasonable price makes it seriously consider. It is quick and easy to set up and the low- maintenance, enclosed optics come fully collimated from the factory.

Alignment of the finder scope and polar alignment of the optional equatorial mount are all that are needed to start viewing. The optical tube assemblies are held firmly by hinged, felt-lined "tube mounting rings" which allow easy installation and optical tube rotation and balancing. Mounting one of these telescopes on the supplied aluminum alt-azimuth mount or a photographic tripod is quick and simple with the supplied "multi-function mount plate".

The telescope performs well as a fixed aperture lenses for both astrophotography and terrestrial photography. The "fast" focal ratios, combined with today's high-speed films, make it useful for capturing lunar and solar eclipses as well as nature photography. With a suitable T-adapter, a camera can be connected directly to the T-mount thread on the eyepiece holder.