Lomo Astele 150 OTA Telescope

Lomo Astele 150 has a compact, attractive optical tube that offers far superior performance than a typical 8" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. Lomo is the largest and most technologically advanced optical firm in Russia and the quality of this instrument reflects that capability. Low expansion Astrosital and Pyrex glass is polished and figured to 1/8-lamda surface accuracy (confirmed by star tests). Mechanical components are machined pieces that fit precisely and provide a stable structure for the optics. The overall design and execution is elegent yet effective. Views through a good eyepiece reveal optical image quality of the highest order and fidelity. With this telescope I saw for the first time the E and F stars in the Orion Trapezium, which had eluded me since I started observing with a C8 some years ago. It provides the same or better level of performance than an Intes MK 6" but at a much lower price ($300 second-hand). Highest recommendation!