Bresser Solarix 114/500 AZ Solar and Astronomical Reflector Telescope
The Bresser Solarix 114/500 AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope designed with one standout capability rarely found in beginner instruments at this price - safe, direct observation of the Sun. A removable full-aperture solar filter comes as a standard part of the set, allowing you to watch sunspots drift across the solar disc, or follow the transit of Mercury across the Sun's face. When the Sun goes down, simply remove the filter and the same telescope becomes a capable instrument for observing the Moon and planets.
Designed for Solar Observation - and Much More
Most entry-level telescopes treat solar observation as an afterthought, if they address it at all. The Solarix 114/500 is built around it. The removable solar filter fits securely over the front of the tube and reduces the intensity of sunlight to a completely safe level for both your eyes and the optics. Through it you can observe sunspots - temporary dark regions on the solar surface that change in size and position from day to day, providing a fascinating and ever-changing view that requires no waiting until after dark.
Solar observation also opens up some rare astronomical events to owners of this telescope. The transits of Mercury - occasions when the small inner planet passes directly across the face of the Sun as seen from Earth - are visible through a properly filtered telescope and are among the most memorable sights an amateur astronomer can witness.
At night, removing the solar filter reveals a capable 114 mm Newtonian reflector well suited for lunar and planetary observation. The craters and mountain ranges of the Moon are spectacular at the magnifications this telescope provides, and the 114 mm aperture is sufficient to show the rings of Saturn, the cloud bands of Jupiter with its four Galilean moons, and the phases of Venus.
Optics and Performance
With a 114 mm primary mirror and a 500 mm focal length (f/4.4), the Solarix delivers bright, wide-field views that are particularly well suited to the Moon and Sun. The Newtonian reflector design eliminates the chromatic aberration that commonly affects inexpensive refractor telescopes - bright objects appear crisp and neutral in colour, without distracting coloured fringes at their edges. The angular resolution of 1.21 arc seconds means fine surface detail on the Moon and larger planets is well within reach.
The maximum recommended magnification of 230x gives the telescope plenty of headroom for high-power planetary work on nights of steady seeing, while the starting magnification of 20x provides comfortable wide-field views for orientation and for observing extended objects.
Eyepiece Barrel and Accessories
All eyepieces use the standard 1.25″ (31.7 mm) barrel diameter, which means the telescope is fully compatible with the wide range of aftermarket eyepieces and filters available on the market. This is an important long-term advantage - as your interest in astronomy grows, you can upgrade your eyepiece collection without needing a new telescope.
Mount and Tripod
The optical tube is mounted on a smooth azimuth (alt-azimuth) head that allows intuitive pointing in any direction - simply push the tube towards your target. No polar alignment or electronic setup is required. The mount sits on an aluminium tripod adjustable in height, keeping the total system weight at a manageable 3.5 kg including all accessories. The compact footprint of 600 x 600 mm and maximum height of 145 cm make the Solarix easy to set up on a balcony, in a garden, or at any observing location.
Smartphone Adapter and First Astrophotography
The included universal smartphone adapter attaches beneath the eyepiece and aligns your phone's camera with the optical axis of the telescope. This straightforward setup lets you capture photographs and video of the Sun (with the solar filter in place), the Moon, and planets using the camera you already own. Lunar photographs taken this way can be impressively detailed even for a complete beginner, and images of large sunspot groups on the solar disc make for genuinely striking results worth sharing.
Everything Included - Unbox and Start Observing
The Bresser Solarix 114/500 AZ is sold as a complete, ready-to-use set. All necessary accessories are in the box - there is no need to purchase anything additional before your first observation session. The telescope comes with Bresser's 5-year extended warranty, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in build quality.
Technical Specifications
- Optical design: Newtonian reflector
- Aperture: 114 mm
- Focal length: 500 mm
- Focal ratio: f/4.4
- Angular resolution: 1.21 arc seconds
- Magnification range: 20x - 111x (max. recommended 230x)
- Eyepiece barrel diameter: 1.25″ (31.7 mm)
- Finderscope: LED red dot finder (battery: 1x CR2032, included)
- Mount type: azimuth (alt-azimuth)
- Tripod material: aluminium
- OTA material: metal, black
- Total dimensions (L x W x H): 600 x 600 x 1450 mm
- Total weight (incl. accessories): 3.5 kg
- Warranty: 5 years
Who Is This Telescope For?
The Bresser Solarix 114/500 AZ is an excellent choice for beginners who want more than a standard night-sky telescope. If you are interested in solar astronomy, want to follow sunspot activity, or simply want a telescope that can be used at any time of day rather than only after dark, the Solarix offers a compelling combination of capability, ease of use and value. It is equally well suited as a gift for an astronomy enthusiast of any age - the complete set format means everything needed is already in the box.
