Starfield Gear60 review

The Starfield Gear60 Quad is a 60mm f/5 quadruplet Petzval APO telescope for widefield astrophotography. With FPL53 optics and a built-in corrector, it eliminates the need for fine-tuning back focus. Users can attach their camera and start imaging immediately. The 2.5" rack and pinion focuser operates with ball-bearing support and maintains stability with heavy cameras. It includes a 360° rotator for framing, a tilter for alignment, and a 1:10 micro-focusing mechanism. The focuser supports manual adjustment or an optional motor and integrates a 2" filter holder for convenience.

The telescope provides a 44mm image circle, fully illuminating a 36x24mm sensor. The M48 thread allows a working distance of 41-61mm, ensuring compatibility with various cameras. The scope is portable and easy to mount, featuring a compact transport length of 270mm, a weight of 4.4lbs, an integrated handle, and a long dovetail. A custom carry case secures the scope, an optional focusing motor, and an imaging camera.

A a 60mm aperture with an f/5 focal telescope: Starfield Gear60 review

The Gear60 Quad's optical system includes FPL53 glass and a 2-element corrector to ensure accurate color correction and flat field performance. The 2.5" rack-and-pinion focuser offers 20mm of travel with a 1:10 micro-focusing mechanism. The 360° rotator allows for easy framing adjustments, and the integrated tilter ensures proper camera alignment. The telescope features a 44mm illuminated image circle, supporting full-frame sensors, and has an M48x0.75 thread with a working distance of 41-61mm, compatible with most cameras. The 2" filter holder is built into the focuser for convenience. The compact design includes a 270mm transport length and a weight of 4.4lbs, with a long dovetail and integrated handle for mounting. The custom carry case secures the telescope, along with an optional motorized focuser and imaging camera.

Specifications

• Aperture: 60 mm
• Focal length: 300 mm
• Focal ratio: f/5
• Optics: 2-element FPL53 objective and 2-element corrector
• Working distance: 41 mm to 61 mm from the M48x0.75 thread
• Drawtube travel: 20 mm
• Illuminated and corrected field of view: 44 mm
• Transport length with dew shield inserted: 270 mm
• Diameter of the dew shield: 93.1 mm
• Weight: 4.4 lbs
   

Starfield Gear60 In-Depth Review - The New Widefield King?

What others are saying about the Starfield Gear60

Luke from the YouTube channel "lukomatico" shared his in-depth review of the Starfield 60mm quadruplet astrograph. The unboxing revealed a well-constructed transport case featuring a hard foam insert that securely houses the telescope while leaving space for a camera and additional accessories. Its durability and practicality make it suitable for both storage and field use.

The telescope itself boasts a 60mm aperture with an f/5 focal ratio and utilizes FPL53 glass in a quadruplet configuration, delivering excellent color correction. The focuser is built to a high standard, offering solid performance and the ability to support heavy imaging equipment without issues.

One minor drawback noted was the potential for the locking bolt on the underside of the focuser to slightly shift the focus point when tightened. However, the natural tension of the focuser proved sufficient to hold heavy camera setups in place, even when pointed directly overhead, making the locking bolt largely unnecessary.

The focuser’s limited travel was acknowledged as adequate for astrophotography but may not be ideal for visual observation. Given the telescope’s primary focus on imaging, this is unlikely to be a concern for most users.

A particularly useful feature is the threaded insert at the back of the focuser, terminating in an M48 male thread. This allows for direct attachment of accessories and cameras, while removing the insert provides the option to fit a 2-inch threaded filter directly into the focuser, eliminating the need for an external filter drawer—especially beneficial for DSLR users with limited back focus.

The integrated camera angle rotator received positive remarks for its smooth operation and secure locking mechanism, preventing unwanted movement. Additionally, a four-point tip-tilt adapter is included, offering an effective solution for cameras without an integrated tilt plate, ensuring proper sensor alignment.

The sliding dew shield is well-built, holding firmly in place, and is sturdy enough to support an A4 tracing panel for flat-field calibration frames, even when the telescope is aimed directly upward.

The top-mounted handle, dovetailed for quick-release photographic accessory clamps, provides added versatility. It features threaded holes and slots for cable management, alongside a finder shoe on the left side of the telescope, with an option to add another on the right for mounting additional accessories.

Color correction was evaluated using a monochrome camera with par-focal filters, cycling through various filters while maintaining focus on a bright star. Results showed minimal to no focus shift between filters, confirming excellent chromatic performance.

Field flatness was tested with an APS-C sensor, with stars focused at the center of the field. No defocus was observed in the extreme corners, demonstrating a well-corrected flat field across the imaging area.

Imaging performance was assessed with a 20-minute exposure of the double cluster, producing sharp, consistent focus across the field. A longer 2-hour and 20-minute exposure of the Heart Nebula, captured with a monochrome camera and narrowband filters, displayed impressive detail and sharpness, further validating the telescope’s optical quality. Overall, the Starfield 60mm quadruplet astrograph performed exceptionally well in all tests, delivering sharp images, excellent field illumination, precise color correction, and a well-corrected flat field. A strong choice for astrophotographers seeking a high-quality, dedicated imaging telescope.

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