Our history

The brand name LOic is an abbreviation of Lichtenknecker Optics International Company,
and it’s also a nice French boy’s name. LOic is a new initiative created by Lichtenknecker
Optics joining forces with its Chinese partner Starhop to develop and market telescopes for
professional astronomy as well as demanding amateur astronomers.
Lichtenknecker Optics, founded in Belgium in 1973, has a tradition of producing cutting-edge
optical systems for astronomy.
As early as the end of the 1970s, Lichtenknecker Optics developed a highly modular
accessory system for telescopes.
In the 1980s and 1990s, modular Schmidt Cassegrain systems MPT200 and MPT300 were
developed, as well as the high-performance optics for deep sky photography FFC150,
FFC200, FFC300.
The apochromats with the latest ED glass grades VAF125, VAF150 and VAF200 were
launched in the 2000s.
Since 2010, Lichtenknecker Optics has established a strong presence in China, where
developments for amateur astronomy include the renowned Skywatcher Evostar 120ED,
Skywatcher Esprit 80, 120, and 150, just to name a few.
LOic is now taking things a step further by offering fast astrographic telescopes and well-
designed telescopes for a wide range of applications. LOic is focusing more on telescopes
for semi-professional and professional applications, where high demands are the norm and
creativity is required to design optical systems that can meet them. LOic aims to produce
these optics in series to keep the price as affordable as possible.