The Explore Scientific 80mm f/6 Essential FCD100 ED APO Triplet Refractor Telescope features a triplet apochromatic lens system with Hoya's exceptionally engineered and crafted FCD100 extra low-dispersion (ED) glass and Explore Scientific's proprietary anti-reflection EMD fully multi-coated optics. This combination of glass, lenses, and coatings virtually eliminates chromatic and spherical aberrations for clear and bright high-contrast images without distortion across the entire field of view, with true color rendition. This is a versatile optical tube assembly that can be employed as a simple grab-and-go primary telescope, as a large finderscope mounted to a larger optical tube assembly (OTA) such as a Dobsonian, or set up on a dual-mount rig for astrophotography/astroimaging.
A mounting cradle-ring clamps over the OTA, and allows the user to adjust the orientation and position of the scope relative to the mount to optimize viewing comfort and balance, while avoiding interference with other equipment. For those with a reliable mounting and support system, the scope is offered without a mount or tripod, but a Vixen-style dovetail plate makes it compatible with any GoTo, alt-az or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle. To handle heavier imaging rigs, the OTA is outfitted with a large 2.5" diameter hexagonal focuser that provides improved strength, stability, and rigidity over conventional round focuser tubes; and ends in a 2" eyepiece/accessory holder to accommodate larger gear. A 90° dielectric star diagonal is also included for more comfortable viewing with minimal light loss.
- 80mm aperture
- f/6 focal ratio
- 480mm focal length
- Refractor-style optical design
- Hoya FCD100 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass virtually eliminates chromatic aberration for enhanced contrast and accurate color rendition across the entire visible spectrum
- Apochromatic triplet lens configuration reduces spherical aberrations and corrects distortion across the entire field of view
- Proprietary anti-reflection EMD enhanced multi-coatings on all optics improve light transmission to help produce bright and clear high-contrast images
- Resolution: 1.45 arcsec
- 2-speed 2.5" diameter hexagonal focuser with 2" eyepiece/accessory holder; 10-pound (4.5kg) payload capacity to handle heavier imaging systems without flexing or bending
- OTA only, mount and tripod required for proper use
- Vixen-style dovetail plate
- Compatible with any GoTo, alt-az, or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle
- Weight: 7.5 pounds (3.4kg)
- Diagonal:
- 2" snout and eyepiece holder
- Dielectric-coated mirror offers greater than 99% light transmission to ensure bright and clear images
- Star configuration corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
- Reducer:
- 2"-to-1.25" adapter allows the use of the smaller and more common size eyepieces and accessories
- Finderscope mount:
- Pre-installed on OTA
- Requires optional finderscope