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Tele Vue Optics
The  Ranger



RANGER REFRACTORS



See the NEW EVERGREEN RANGER here


Ranger shown with 45 degree image erector and optional
ash Panoramic Mount, Quick Point and Glare Shield.
Brass Ranger shown with 90 degree mirror diagonal
and optional walnut Panoramic Mount.


World's best values in high performance, versatile telescopes


Concept: when the Pronto telescope was developed, we knew its 70mm f/6.8 objective permitted dramatic wide angle performance beyond typical scopes, while its superb contrast and resolution easily rivalled larger and more costly ones. Add compactness, versatility, and elegant construction to the package and Pronto became the best small telescope ever made.

How can we top that? It's clear that nature lovers want lighter weight, and beginners want lower cost. The answer: Ranger. The key factor was the use of a unique sliding draw tube plus 1 1/4" helical focuser arrangement. Weight was reduced about 40% and Ranger can be purchased for about 1/3 less than Pronto.

Ranger has more field, resolution and contrast than spotting scopes at 3 times its modest price, while the entry level amateur astronomer now has what we think is a much needed alternative to unwieldy, department store telescopes. Look over Ranger's great features and options. Then read Sky & Telescope's report which concluded Ranger is "an ideal travel telescope for astronomy, nature or sports." We think you'll agree that Ranger is an incredible value in a precision instrument. - Al Nagler

Revealing nature's wonders in amazing detail... There's no better reason to want a telescope. And, there's no better telescope to travel with, through the woods and Milky Way, than Ranger. Whether your interest is birding, astronomy, scenic viewing, or photography, Ranger will appeal to your various interests and enhance your experiences. Such diversity is achieved by combining "astronomical" grade optics, a mechanical design permitting quick focussing from close-up to infinity, and selection from a wide range of accessories: eyepieces, camera adapter, filters, finders, tripods and cases.

We hope you choose Ranger to become a trusted member of your family, providing fun, adventure and growing educational fulfillment. Remember... have Ranger, will travel!

What's the secret of Ranger's optical excellence?

Extraordinary optical performance lies in the marriage of Ranger's "astronomical" grade objective in combination with Tele Vue's line of high-performance Plossl, Panoptic and Nagler eyepiece types. The 70mm aperture objective uses an air-spaced doublet design with a 480mm focal length. Ground from special ED glass, this lens system produces especially fine color correction to maximize image sharpness. Ranger's "Diffraction Limited" imaging, means you can see all the detail nature allows. And, to further assure the highest, most consistent quality, each Ranger is fitted, assembled and tested by the hands of a single expert technician, who assumes proud responsibility for that serial numbered scope.

Traditional compact telescopes or spotting scopes may not use an astronomical-grade objective, and often employ eyepieces of low quality or unsophisticated design. Since the final image you see is the result of light travelling through all the glass in the optical path (i.e. objective, mirror or erecting prism, and eyepieces), each optical component must not only be of very fine quality, they must also harmonize or the final image sharpness and contrast will suffer.

Ranger - Revealing nature's wonders in amazing detail

How does Ranger perform for bird watching & terrestrial spotting?

The combination of Ranger's terrific sharpness, contrast and wide field-of-view will make you feel as though you are looking through a "picture window with magnification." Ranger is lightweight, at only 3 1/2 lbs., so it's easy to carry and ready to deliver the sharpest views you've ever seen from a traditional spotting scope. Further, choosing from the extensive family of Tele Vue eyepieces will let you enjoy powers from 12x to beyond 150x! (The practical use of powers above 100x during the day depends upon the local seeing conditions, temperature and overall brightness.) Where other spotting scope eyepieces top out with viewing angles of 65 degrees, Ranger can take advantage of our patented Nagler eyepieces, which render an amazingly sharp 82 degree wide field of view.

What can I see in the night sky?

Subtle details and shading on Jupiter & Saturn, startling details within lunar craters, star clusters, remnants of exploded stars and more are all easily within Ranger's capability as an astronomical telescope. From 3.3 degrees of Rich-Field observing to diffraction limited high power views, Ranger will reveal to you many of our universe's hidden treasures.

What Eyepieces Should I Choose?

Your eyepiece is half the telescope. If magnification and field of view are well matched to the telescope and your needs, you'll enjoy striking views. Ranger's interchangeable eyepieces allow you to frame your subject with power and field as you like.

Tele Vue Plossls offer premium images over a standard 50 degree field of view. Our Panoptics are crystal-clear across a much wider 68 degree field. And, the Naglers offer unprecedented 82 degree fields: so wide you'll feel you're taking a "spacewalk."

Ranger Construction

Ranger's all metal construction securely holds the objective lens in optical alignment. No user adjustment is ever needed. The lens cell is threaded for 77mm photographic filters for special effects or lens protection. Your Ranger can be made with either an ivory powder-coated aluminum tube or a polished, solid brass tube. The rear housing is slotted for our Qwik Point sight.

Ranger's dual-action focuser was designed for ultra-quick near-to-far focus so crucial for bird watching, while also providing a precise mechanism for that extra focus "tweak." Coarse focus is simply push-pull. Grasp the rubber grip-ring, rotate the fine focus and delight in its wonderfully smooth feel.

The dove-tail mounting accepts photo tripods or our Panoramic or Gibraltar mounts. We suggest the Panoramic as the best balance of weight, stability and cost.

Ranger Accessories

The affordable Qwik Point finder makes spotting day or night subjects "qwik."

Two padded carrying bags are available. The "shoulder" bag has an internal pouch for accessories. The "fitted" bag opens at both ends and bottom providing scope protection in damp, dewy conditions. (Not meant to get rain soaked.)

The camera adapter accepts T-Rings and 1 1/4" filters to make Ranger a 480mm f/6.8 telephoto. A rubber glare shield is also offered.

 


 

Ranger Specifications:

Power Ranger:            12x to 300x available
Max. True Field:         3.3 degrees visual
Objective:               70mm air spaced, ED doublet
Telephoto Lens:          480mm f/6.8
Visual Resolution:       1.6 arc-sec. (Dawes Limit)
Photographic Resolution: 206 line pairs/mm
Field, 35mm film:        2.9 degrees by 4.3 degrees 
                         (5.2 degrees diagonal)
Mounting:                3 #1/4-20 tapped holes allow a variety 
                         of mounting possibilities including photo 
                         tripods, all Tele Vue mounts and others.
Construction:            Black anodized CNC machined aluminum 
                         housings, Powder coated aluminum or solid 
                         brass tube.
Standard Features:       Sliding draw tube focuser with 1 1/4" 
                         helical fine focus, snap-on lens cap, sliding 
                         balance bar.
Standard Eyepiece:       Tele Vue Plossl
Weight:                  3.5 lbs. (Tube Assembly)
Length:                  18 inches (with 90 degree diagonal)
Warranty:                5 Years
Specifications may change without notice.