The Black Diamond 80 ED is a modestly wide-field telescope offering bright, wide swaths of sky in a single view. It is well suited for wide-field astronomical observation of prominent nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies from a dark-sky location, or can be used as an astrograph for sky photography. As a terrestrial spotting scope or telephoto lens, the Black Diamond 80 ED’s performance is absolutely superb. Ultra high contrast allows the subtlest of details to be easily scrutinized under conditions of good seeing. The petite silhouette of the Black Diamond 80 ED makes for an excellent compact, portable telescope that travels light and fits in a small space. At about 50-power structural detail becomes apparent in our solar system’s gas giants like Saturn and Jupiter. The Moon also exhibits striking crater detail along the lunar terminator.

Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings 

Each air-to-glass lens surface has exotic anti-reflection metallic coatings applied to ensure optimum light through-put of approaching 99.5%. The proprietary Sky-Watcher “Metallic High-Transmission Coatings” (MHC) are the finest photon anti-rejection coatings in their class.

Light-Baffled OpticalSystems

The objective lens cell is light-baffled to reject stray, unfocused light. The draw tube is likewise baffled to insure optimum contrast. The tube interior is flat blackened to help prevent unfocused internal light reflections from reaching the focal plane. 

Precision 2” Dual Speed Crayford Focuser is Standard

Optical focus is achieved by means of a mechanically ultra-smooth, backlash-free, precision 2” Dual Speed Crayford Focuser-assembly. This focuser offers fine and ultra-fine focusing adjustments.

Tube Materials

The optical tube material is rolled steel, powder-coated reflective gloss black with gold fleck accent. The front and back cells are cast-aluminum painted white, or black. 

Telescope Tube Attachment

The optical tube comes with attachment hardware that allows it to be securely fastened to any Sky-Watcher mount. The quick-release tube rings provided with Black Diamond 80 ED Hardware cast-aluminium, painted white.

Included Components for Selected Models*

Black Diamond 80 ED is supplied with 2” Dual Speed Crayford Focusers and quality foam-lined aluminium carrying cases as standard equipment. 

"ProED Doublet refactors have superb optics and offer thrilling visual experiences."

Review in Astronomy Technology Today by James R. Dire, Ph.D. 

Read Full Review