Designed to strike a balance between portability, optical precision, and adaptability, the 110GTX showcases some of the most advanced design decisions Astro-Physics has ever implemented in a small refractor. A key aim was to create a telescope that could easily fit into an airline overhead compartment while still delivering the kind of flat, color-corrected fields needed for modern full-frame CMOS sensors. The result is a premium APO that merges engineering with elegance and performance with portability.
One of the telescope’s standout features is its compatibility with airline travel. When fully collapsed with adapters removed, the tube measures roughly 19 inches long, making it compact enough to be stowed in carry-on luggage using the included Pelican Air 1535 case with padded dividers. This case is not just an afterthought, its rugged, well-designed construction is tailored for field use and travel protection. The telescope itself, including dew shield, weighs only 12 pounds, striking an excellent balance for both mobile astronomers and imagers who need maximum utility with minimal weight. The compact footprint hides the scope’s full imaging and visual potential, making it ideal for use on smaller mounts without sacrificing quality or capability.
From an optical standpoint, the 110GTX is cutting edge. It features a 660mm focal length and makes use of a fast f/6 triplet objective, integrating the latest Super-ED glass from a Japanese supplier. This central lens element is supported on both sides by precisely matched mating elements designed to preserve sharpness across a wide color spectrum. The polychromatic correction of the system extends well beyond the visual range, from the deep violet to near infrared, and is optimized for modern CMOS sensors with pixel sizes as small as 3.75 microns. This makes it especially effective for astrophotography, where pinpoint star images across full-frame sensors are critical. Astro-Physics also offers an optional 110TCC Telecompressor-Corrector which brings the effective focal length down to 550mm (f/5), allowing users to exploit a full 50mm image circle, yielding approximately a 5-degree field of view.
But the 110GTX is not solely a photographer’s tool. For visual astronomers, Astro-Physics has invested enormous effort into ensuring the highest possible polychromatic Strehl ratio across the visible spectrum. Unlike lenses designed for minimum RMS spot size alone, the 110GTX’s lens is optimized for wavefront performance and human visual perception. This delivers exceptional contrast and resolution at high magnification, rivalling much longer focal ratio scopes of similar aperture. With this design philosophy, the 110GTX becomes a master of both wide-field low-power scanning and high-power planetary or double-star observation. Its performance across the visual field remains tight even out to one degree, or about two lunar diameters, without requiring any additional field flattener optics.
Durability and ruggedness are also hallmarks of the 110GTX’s engineering. Instead of wide air-spacing between lens elements, which can cause both alignment sensitivity and slow thermal equilibrium, the 110GTX opts for tightly spaced elements. This choice not only protects the sensitive Super-ED glass but also enhances collimation integrity and speeds cooldown times. Multi-layer ion-beam-assisted coatings ensure optimal light transmission while also being nearly as hard as the glass underneath. This makes them more resistant to scratches and cleaning mishaps. Maintenance is straightforward as well: the lens cell is easily removable from the tube by loosening three screws, giving owners simple access to the rear element for cleaning after dew exposure or dust accumulation.
The focuser system is a centerpiece in itself. The included 3.5-inch Astro-Physics focuser features rack-and-pinion gearing, a greaseless drawtube, and a 9:1 micro-focus mechanism. With 4.5 inches of travel and a 7.3-inch backfocus, the focuser accommodates a wide variety of configurations for both visual and imaging use. It also includes millimeter markings for repeatable focusing. Adapters for 2.7-inch, 2-inch, and 1.25-inch accessories are bundled in, allowing seamless integration with a wide variety of eyepieces, diagonals, and camera systems. A digital motorized focusing solution is also in development, tailored specifically for imagers using fast scopes like the GTX. The focuser’s mechanical fluidity is well-matched to the optical precision of the triplet lens, providing a system in which every component feels tuned for harmony.
Out of the box, the telescope includes everything necessary to get started except for the mounting rings. Buyers receive the optical tube assembly, complete with the 3.5-inch focuser, adapters, retractable dew shield, and dust cover. Also included is the Pelican Air case, which has quickly become an essential item for astronomers who travel frequently. To complete the setup, users need a set of 4.7-inch mounting rings, Astro-Physics part number 47RING, which are sold separately. This modularity allows astronomers to choose exactly how they want to mount the scope depending on their needs, whether that means balancing it for imaging rigs or adapting it to their favorite alt-azimuth mounts for visual sweeps.
Additional accessories open even more possibilities. For imagers wanting the flattest possible field at f/6.65, the optional 110FF field flattener expands the telescope’s capabilities, converting it to a 732mm focal length machine. This configuration is ideal for high-resolution imaging where pinpoint stars across a larger area are essential. For solar observers, several filter options exist, including AstroSolar safety film systems by Baader and Kendrick filters specifically sized for the 110GTX. These filters allow safe and precise observation of solar phenomena like sunspots, limb activity, and eclipses. A wide selection of diagonals, Barlows, finders, and even binoviewers are also compatible with this telescope, making it a central tool around which an astronomer can build a complete observing kit.
While the design and features are impressive, availability is another story. Due to overwhelming demand, Astro-Physics decided to release the 110GTX through a random drawing system rather than offering it for general order. Sign-ups took place from March 7 to March 14, 2023, giving everyone an equal chance regardless of time zone or availability during business hours. The decision mirrors their strategy for the 92mm Stowaway, another beloved scope. As of April 24, 2025, Astro-Physics confirmed that the first round of selection notifications had been sent, with more to follow in the coming months. For enthusiasts who signed up and are eagerly awaiting their notification, patience remains key. No official timeline exists for general release, and units continue to be distributed on a lottery basis.
What this means for buyers is that owning a 110GTX is not just a matter of payment, it’s a matter of timing and luck. There’s no guarantee when or even if your number will be called. However, this approach reinforces the exclusivity and prestige of the telescope. Rather than flooding the market, Astro-Physics maintains quality and customer service while cultivating a loyal user base. For those lucky enough to be selected, the arrival of a 110GTX isn’t just a purchase, it’s an event. As Vlad from AVT-Astro illustrated in his unboxing, the excitement of finally receiving one after two years of waiting is undeniable. The joy of unpacking a telescope so thoughtfully engineered is matched only by the anticipation of what it will reveal under the stars.
When Vlad, the passionate mind behind AVT-Astro, first slid the Astrophysics 110GTX APO refractor box onto his workbench, his excitement was palpable. Having procured a nearly hundred telescopes across his years of stargazing and astrophotography pursuits, this moment still felt extraordinary. The reason? It wasn’t just any refractor, it was the highly coveted Astrophysics 110GTX, fresh from a lottery system that began in 2023. After two long years, his name shone on the list. Vlad confessed he didn’t strictly need another telescope but recognized that this opportunity might be once-in-a-lifetime. So here he was, boxes stacked, unboxing nearly as thrilling as the celestial wonders he intended to capture.
The triple packaging immediately set the tone: an outer shipping box, followed by a Pelican 1535 case, and then the actual Astrophysics box inside. Delivered via FedEx, the pristine condition of the outer materials reflected careful planning from Astrophysics. They clearly spared no expense in ensuring this telescope arrived ready for use, even after an arduous shipping journey.
As Vlad began to peel back the wrapping, the Pelican case’s iconic ruggedness caught his eye. Though he admitted the love for Pelican cases may not be entirely relevant, he couldn’t resist a celebratory “woo.” He laughed, noting the sheer thrill of unboxing a high-end scientific instrument. This moment of glee set the stage for a deeper appreciation: the Pelican case wasn’t just strong, it embodied professionalism and readiness for fieldwork.
Lifting the 110GTX from its foam-lined sanctuary, Vlad unboxed the accessories first. A two-inch visual back with a 1?-inch adapter stood out, hinting at the scope’s dual purpose, sleek visual performance combined with advanced astrophotography capacity. He found the classic fifty-year Astrophysics shield decals inside too, alongside the warranty card and a compact manual that neatly summarized the refractor’s specifications. It was a 110mm, F/6 triplet with a focus on high-resolution imaging but certainly not shy about visual splendor.
But the crowning moment came when he removed the telescope tube from its enclosure. In his hands lay an object he described as beautiful, an instrument that, to the uninitiated, might seem purely functional, yet held a certain aesthetic appeal. The rugged pebble-textured finish gleamed under his lights. This texture, inspired by the wider 155-mm APO, spoke to Astrophysics’ devotion to uniformity and quality across their product range. Vlad admired not just the appearance but the tactile sensation of the tube; it felt durable, professional, and more than worthy of investment.
His next move, tilting the scope into the rings, gave a clearer sense of its size. For comparison, he slid in the rings from an Astrophysics 130GT tube, kindly lent by a fellow astronomer. The matching hardware highlighted the shared lineage between the two scopes and how thoughtfully Astrophysics designs its mounts and accessories to be interchangeable. Vlad emphasized this clever engineering, noting how users could readily reuse equipment across models.
With the ring-mounted scope in hand, he walked the viewer through the objective lens. Peeling off the foam liner revealed a subtly green-tinged optic, polished and coated to minimize reflections. Vlad peered into the lens with genuine admiration. “That objective is beautiful,” he repeated, savoring the sound of polished glass peering back at him. Beneath the coating, serial number 287 glowed like a personal signature, a reminder that each high-end refractor emerges from the factory as a singular item, crafted carefully and intentionally.
His exploration didn’t stop there. Vlad turned his attention to the focuser, a 3?-inch barrel, engineered by Feather Touch and rebranded under Astrophysics’ own name. He pointed out the numbering scale on top, a subtle feature he hadn’t seen before. A manual test confirmed silky-smooth operation. The coarse and fine focus controls felt slightly stiffer than some other units, but that was likely due to fresh manufacturing lubricants. In any case, the motion was fluid, precise, just as users of premium telescopes would expect.
To further illustrate the size and quality of the scope, Vlad laid it side by side with a Takahashi FSQ 106, another celebrated refractor in the astrophotography community. Despite the slightly smaller aperture of the FSQ, both tubes appeared in the same league in terms of bulk, with the 110GTX being a touch longer when its dew shield was extended. It was a worthwhile comparison, imparting practical perspective on real-world portability and installation concerns.
For the grand finale, Vlad gave the telescope a polished visual setup using the Astrophysics MaxBright II diagonal and a comfortable eyepiece. It sat there gleaming, fully assembled and ready to gaze into the night sky. He reflected on the unboxing unfolding exactly as preferred, with no surprises but instead, a consistent demonstration of exceptional build quality. The language came easy: “like a Swiss watch,” precise down to the last machining detail. Every component, from optics to mechanics, delivered on the promise inherent in the brand’s decades-long reputation.
And yet, even as the excitement echoed, he acknowledged that this was just the beginning. A full visual review was forthcoming, and more techncial trials would come once Astrophysics’ focal reducer arrived from backorder. That would pave the way for deep-sky imaging tests he planned to conduct alongside seasoned astrophotographer friends, another video eagerly on the horizon.
As he signed off, a sense of purpose shone through. “Super stoked,” he said. For him, the 110GTX transcended mere equipment, it represented preparedness, possibility. He looked forward to delving into the telescope’s strengths through real observing sessions and imaging runs, using it to capture planetary clarity, nebular intricacies, and the gentle spread of distant galaxies. This unboxing was more than unveiling glass and metal: it was welcoming a new companion to nights under the stars.
Vlad’s unboxing, at once intimate, detailed, and bubbling with enthusiasm, underscores not only the craftsmanship of the Astrophysics 110GTX, but also how deeply a tool of this caliber resonates with seasoned observers. He blends practical notes (adapters included, specific dimensions, focus mechanics) with heartfelt admiration, capturing both measurable performance and intangible joy.
What stood out beyond the optics and engineering were the moments: the careful attention to the objective coating, the thoughtful pauses as rings clicked into place, the proud presentation of the assembled scope. These details anchor the viewer in the experience, turning what could be a list of specs into a shared narrative, one of anticipation, respect for precision, and the timeless draw of skyward exploration.
So what can one expect from a scope like the 110GTX in the wild? Though Vlad didn’t preview starlight through the mirror in this unboxing, his words paint a clear picture: a refractor built for celestial fidelity, blending visual beauty with photographic promise. With an F/6 triplet design, it’s poised to offer sharpness with low aberration across wide fields, ideal for capturing star fields or planetary detail without distortion. Its robust focuser and mix of adapters emphasize its dual nature, equally at home with eyepieces or cameras.
Still, welcome as the tapering moments of admiration are, the telescope must stand up to the cold, dew, and bending light of a dark sky patch. Vlad hinted at this next chapter: mounting it, pointing it, polar-aligning it, and letting its optics chase cosmic light across the sky. That future video promises to be the culmination of this initial reveal, a courtroom for performance, where careful astrology becomes inspired astronomy.
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