A small tube whose only job is to watch one star · review
Astromania's 60 mm FMC guide scope: 240 mm focal length, a helical focuser with brass compression ring and 45 mm of range, male T-threads, and two rings of 80 mm bore with Teflon inlays on a Synta-style plate.
Astromania publishes what most guide-scope listings skip: two heavy-duty rings with an 80 mm inner diameter that clamp tubes from 53 to 79 mm, Teflon inlays against scratches and pressure marks, knurled thumbscrews for gloved hands, and a Synta-style plate with five threaded sockets.
Sixty millimeters of fully multi-coated aperture at 240 mm, stated for main telescopes up to 1500 mm.
A helical focuser with a brass compression ring and two thumbscrews, with 45 mm of range: 10 mm on the helical and 35 mm on a scaled drawtube. Male T-threads on the collar take a guide camera directly.
The Alstar 60 mm shares the focal length and the brass ring and publishes a 48 mm focus range; this one publishes the ring bore. Prices on November 7, 2026 were within $2.
Back focus. Amazon’s item data gives 924 g (2 lb).
On November 7, 2026, Amazon.com listed it at about $98 from a third-party seller.
Figures as Keepa reported them on the day this page was last updated. Stock and pricing shift without warning.
Prices quoted in this text were read on November 7, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
Same aisle, closest price — what the same spend else shows.
| Aperture | 60 mm (2.36 in), fully multi-coated |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 240 mm (9.45 in) · stated for astrophotography telescopes up to 1500 mm |
| Mounting method | Two heavy-duty rings, 80 mm inner diameter, for tubes from 53 to 79 mm · Teflon inlays · knurled thumbscrews · Synta-style plate with five threaded sockets · adjustable weight |
| Flexure resistance | Zero flexure claimed |
| Focuser type | Helical (worm) focuser with brass compression ring and two thumbscrews · 45 mm range: 10 mm helical plus 35 mm scaled drawtube |
| Back focus | Not published by the maker · male T-threads on the focuser collar for guide cameras |
| Weight | Not published in the listing text · Amazon's item data gives 924 g (2 lb) |
| Amazon reference | B015VUPS2I |
| EAN | 6970019292465 |
The rings have an 80 mm inner diameter and clamp tubes from 53 to 79 mm. That covers this guide scope and also lets the rings hold other small tubes.
They line the ring screws' contact points so the tube is clamped without scratches or pressure marks.
By the male T-threads on the focuser collar, or by its 1.25 in nosepiece in the brass compression ring.
This model is listed on Amazon.com, at ≈ $98 at the last reading. Listed is not the same as in stock: availability changes daily, and the buy box shows the live price.
Details checked on November 7, 2026.
A guide scope whose rings have to clamp a 53 to 79 mm tube without marking it
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for telescopes and observing optics and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
50 mm (1.97 in) · 200 mm (7.87 in) focal length · helical focuser with brass compression ring · 40 mm focus range
Alstar's 50 mm guide scope: 200 mm focal length, fully multi-coated, a double helical focuser with brass compression ring and 40 mm of focus range, a male T-thread, rings and a Synta-style plate.
Best for: Guiding a main telescope of moderate focal length, and doubling as a wide finder
≈ $78
60 mm (2.36 in) · 240 mm (9.45 in) focal length · helical focuser with brass compression ring · 48 mm focus range · Synta dovetail
Alstar's 60 mm guide scope: 240 mm focal length, fully multi-coated, a helical focuser with brass compression ring and 48 mm of total focus range, a male T-thread for guide cameras, rings and a Synta-style plate.
Best for: A guiding setup for a main telescope up to 1500 mm, also used as a finder
≈ $96
70 mm (2.76 in) · 400 mm (15.7 in) focal length · helical focuser with brass ring · 90 mm focus range · takes 1.25 in eyepieces
Astromania's GS70 deluxe guide scope: 70 mm aperture and 400 mm focal length, a double helical focuser with brass compression ring and 90 mm of range, pipe clamps, a Synta-style plate and a balance weight.
Best for: Guiding a longer main telescope, where a short guide scope would not resolve the correction
≈ $156
