Al Nagler founded Tele Vue Optics in 1977 to develop and market projection television lenses. His previous experience included work as the Senior Optical Designer at Farrand Optical where he was involved in design and development of the NASA Apollo Program astronaut lunar landing visual simulator.
Although he had already developed the design for the legendary “Nagler telescope eyepiece”, Tele Vue’s first commercial eyepieces were a series of 1.25″ diameter Plössl eyepieces in the late 1980’s. After this successful venture, Tele Vue introduced the wideview 13mm Nagler eyepiece in 1980. In the early 1980’s, the Plössl and Nagler series of eyepieces were expanded and diagonals, Barlows, and Powermates joined the Tele Vue offerings. By 1985, high quality short focal length telescopes were being manufactured by Tele Vue and the race was on. When Enerdyne started with Tele Vue in 1996, the Ranger and Pronto were Tele Vue’s small telescopes and the beautiful 102mm was top of the line.
Tele Vue is now established as a leader in wideview deep space visual astronomy and astrophotography. The 60 and 76mm telescopes have established an enviable reputation amongst the birding and nature observing community and Tele Vue eyepieces are the go-to eyepieces for observers who want the very best.
