Varrow Brindle 100 refractor, tube with alt-az mount

Specifications

Description

The Brindle 100 is an achromatic doublet refractor with a 100 mm objective and 800 mm of focal length, which gives a focal ratio of f/8. A ratio this slow limits color fringing on bright objects compared with faster achromats, and it provides a narrower field that suits high-power views of the Moon, the planets, and close double stars. Both lens surfaces carry anti-reflection coating, which raises light transmission compared with uncoated glass of the same size.

The optical tube has a retractable dew shield and internal baffles that reduce stray light reaching the eyepiece. At 3.2 kg for the tube, the Brindle 100 suits a light alt-az mount or a small equatorial mount, and it is light enough to carry outdoors in one trip. The 2 in rack-and-pinion focuser holds a star diagonal and a moderate-weight eyepiece without slipping. Because the focuser has a single speed, fine adjustments at high power take patience, so a steady mount and a low-power eyepiece for initial focusing help considerably.

Typical targets include the Moon, with its craters visible along the terminator, and Jupiter, where the cloud bands and the four Galilean moons are visible in most conditions. Saturn's rings show clearly at moderate power, and Albireo separates into a gold and a blue component at high magnification. Wide-field eyepieces at low power frame the Double Cluster in Perseus, and under dark skies the brighter open clusters in Auriga and Cassiopeia also fit comfortably in the field. Faint galaxies and nebulae are beyond the reach of this aperture from light-polluted sites, so you can expect more detail from rural locations.

About this configuration

This listing covers one specific configuration of the Varrow Brindle 100 refractor, defined by its bundle, finish, accessory kit, and edition year. The included alt-az mount moves up and down and side to side, so you point the telescope by hand without polar alignment. Manual alt-az motion suits visual observing, though you need to nudge the tube now and then to follow objects as the sky turns. The matte black finish hides scuffs and keeps reflections from porch lights and streetlights to a minimum.

The deep-sky kit adds a wide-field eyepiece and a UHC filter for emission nebulae such as the Lagoon and the Orion Nebula. The 2026 edition carries the optics over unchanged and updates small parts such as dust caps and thumbscrews. If you plan to add accessories later, compare the compatibility notes with the parts you already own before choosing a configuration.

What's in the box

• Optical tube with retractable dew shield
• Tube rings with dovetail bar
• 2 in star diagonal with 1.25 in adapter
• Red-dot finder
• Front and rear dust caps
• Alt-az mount with aluminum tripod
• 24 mm wide-field eyepiece (1.25 in)
• UHC nebula filter (1.25 in)

Compatibility notes

• Accepts 2 in eyepieces directly and 1.25 in eyepieces through the supplied adapter.
• The dovetail bar fits most small and medium mounts.
• The focuser has a T2 thread for camera adapters once the 2 in nosepiece is removed.