Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope CF Combo
$3,099.99 Sold out
This telescope setup is simply amazing! The views it offers are breathtaking, whether you're observing or photographing the night sky. Plus, the illuminated viewfinder and eyepiece are fantastic additions for an even better experience. .| Verified Purchase"
Main Benefits:
- Aperture & Focal Length: Aperture: 102mm (4") - Good balance between light gathering and portability. Focal Length: 714mm (f/7) - Moderate magnification for detailed views and wider field of view for deep-sky objects.
- Mount type: Equatorial mount with GoTo capabilities.
- Optics: Air-spaced triplet design with HOYA FCD100 ED glass for minimal chromatic aberration. Multi-coated surfaces for improved light transmission and reduced glare.
Get it between -
ED102-FCD100
The Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber, has the advantages for astrophotographers and visual astronomers found in our metal-tube ED102 models, but with the advantage of making the instrument much lighter, and a lighter weight telescope performs better on any mount that it is used on.
This telescope includes genuine HOYA FCD100 ED glass which is very similar in characteristics as OHARA’s FPL-53. Relying on technological innovation, we have successfully launched the mass production of high-performance optical glass at the apex of the FCD family. Combining it with optical glass of high refractive index allows us to achieve unprecedented advanced chromatic aberration correction. HOYA FCD100 is considered one of the premier ED glass types available.
Having a true diffraction-limited optical design and sized to encourage spontaneous stargazing sessions, this high-quality telescope is a perfect grab-and-go instrument for exploring the skies. Featuring an air-spaced triplet optical design that virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations, this telescope generates brilliant high-contrast images by combining genuine HOYA FCD100 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and proprietary EMD enhanced multi-layer coatings on all optical surfaces.
This amazing scope includes a new 2.5" Hexagonal focuser with very rigid design and strong support. Up to 10 lbs of gear can be loaded onto this focuser.
ED102 Carbon Fiber f/7 Air Spaced Triplet with HOYA FCD100 optics and Integrated Dew Shield; 714mm focal length; 2.5" HEX Focuser with 2 extension tubes; Cradle Ring with Handle and Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate; Explore Scientific 2N1 Hybrid Finder Scope Base installed on scope; 99% Reflective 2" Diagonal. Weighs 9.3lbs. with cradle (Case and Finder Scope NOT Included)
EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount
The PMC-EIGHT Awarded a Sky & Telescope Hot Product for 2018All in all, the Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT with PMC-Eight mount is an excellent choice for the visual astronomer as well as a first-rate economical option for astrophotography. Moreover, ASCOM compatibility combined with Explore Scientific’s open-architecture approach to the PMC-Eight provides the tech-savvy user with the opportunity for future creative applications.
Even though the EXOS2-GT mount with PMC-Eight can be controlled by any ASCOM compatible software system (a widely accepted standard for handling communication between components of astronomy equipment), Explore Scientific also offers a specific control application called ExploreStars„¢ that runs on any Windows 8.1 or 10 system or Android and can be downloaded from the Microsoft app store at no charge. (Versions of ExploreStars for other operating systems will be available soon.) This application controls any PMC-Eight mount by means of an intuitive graphical interface.Among other features ExploreStars offers both 2-star and 3-star alignment procedures, educational information and images of the more popular celestial objects, and a choice of over 80,000 objects for viewing. The communication between the PMC-Eight mount and a PC/laptop running ExploreStars can be via a wired or wireless connection, or via a Windows based Tablet wirelessly thus freeing the user from being tethered to the mount.
The object database used by ExploreStars is called the Celestial Database. It encompasses a wide range of celestial objects including those in the Solar System, the Messier Catalog, the New General Catalog, and the Index Catalog, as well as a collection of over 70,000 stars. The Celestial Database also includes educational material and images for many of the more popular objects. This database is available as a separate updatable component of the ExploreStars software system. It can expand over time and any ExploreStars implementation can easily be updated by downloading a fresh copy of the Celestial Database. In fact, the educational material and images within the database can be customized by each individual user using Microsoft Access.
Here is a list of most of the ASCOM software packages available for use with the Explore Scientific with PMC-Eight mounts: ACP; APT; AST / ATC & Ricerca (Omega Lab); AstroArt; AstroMB; Cartes du Ciel / Sky Chart; CCD AutoPilot; DeepSky; Deepsky Planner; DFM Engineering; Earth Centered Universe Pro; EasySky; Eye and Telescope; Project Pluto; Hallo Northern Sky; Maxim DL; MaxPoint; PinPoint Astrometric; Prism; Sequence Generator Pro; Sidereal Technology; The Sky; SkyMap Software; SkyTools 3; Star Atlas PRO; Sky Observer; StarryNight; Stellarium; Virtual Moon Atlas; and WorldWide Telescope.
Illuminated Viewfinder
The Explore Scientific 8x50 produces a wide 6° field of view and allows precision focus of both main objective and eyepiece illuminated reticle. This finder now includes the NEW long battery life Illuminator II. A precision polished roof prism produces images that are right-side-up, left-to-right correct. In other words, things are not upside-down and backwards like most viewfinders. Our illuminated reticle is truly designed for finding objects with its open center (so you don’t mask the object you are centering with cross hairs) and scale markings for 1.5°, 3°, and 4.5° (the edge of the field of view is the 6° boundary). The 55° apparent field, 16mm long eye-relief eyepiece produces a bright 7mm exit pupil and will allow you to find faint galaxies, comets, and nebulae. All optics are EMD Coated to insure maximum contrast. The illuminated reticle of the 8x50 Viewfinder with its scale markings and open center not only helps you center objects precisely, but gives a reference of the exact field of view in degrees. The deep red illumination is continuously variable to provide the desired brightness. Many customers tell us it is the best viewfinder/finderscope they have ever used on their telescopes.
70° Eyepiece
Bresser 70° Series 30mm NON-WATERPROOF Eyepiece; 2" Barrel
Specs
Item Number | FCD100–10207-CF |
Focal Length | 714mm |
Focal Ratio | f/7 |
Weight | 7lb; 5.44kg |
Dovetail Plate | 45mm Wide with Cone-Angle Adjustments (Vixen-style) |
Item Number | VFEI0850–01 |
Reticle | Standard Crosshair |
Weight | 15.9 oz |
Size | 216mm x 57mm x 62mm |
Item Number | ES-EXOS2GTPMCT3–00 |
Mount | EXOS2GT with PMC-Eight GoTo Mount supports 28 lbs of astronomy equipment |
Total weight | 33 lbs. |
Head weight | 11 lbs. |
Tripod weight | 12.2 lbs. |
Includes | (1) 9.9 lb counterweight and AC adapter |
Note: | Carbon Fiber Telescopes may need a lighter counterweight. If you need a lighter counterweight, please contact customer service. |
Construction | Stainless Steel Tripod with bubble level and 2" stainless steel legs. Extends from 26.8" to 42.5" |
Controls | Belt-Driven Stepper motors with computerized GoTo features using ExploreStars with a Windows 8.1 or higher based PC, laptop or tablet or ASCOM Compatible Software and ES ASCOM driver. |
Item Number | VFEI0850–01 |
Reticle | Standard Crosshair |
Weight | 15.9 oz |
Size | 216mm x 57mm x 62mm |
Warranty
Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase.
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Aperture size is the diameter of the main lens or mirror in a telescope, and it is the most important factor in determining how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and more detailed images. Generally, larger apertures are better, but they also tend to be more expensive and bulkier.
Magnification is important for making objects appear larger, but it does not create more detail. Aperture is more important for determining the overall quality of the image, including its brightness, resolution, and contrast. However, magnification can still be useful for getting a closer look at specific features of an object that you can already see with lower magnification.
All telescopes are affected by light pollution to some extent, but Dobsonians and reflectors are generally less affected than refractors. This is because refractors have more internal surfaces where light can bounce around and cause glare. If you live in an area with a lot of light pollution, you may want to consider a Dobsonian or reflector, or find a dark observing location.
The essential accessories for your telescope will depend on your specific needs and interests. However, some common recommendations include:
Extra eyepieces: This will allow you to change the magnification of your telescope to suit different observing conditions and objects.
A finder scope: This is a small, low-power telescope that helps you aim the main telescope at the correct area of the sky.
A collimation kit: This is used to adjust the alignment of the mirrors in a reflector telescope.
A star chart or planisphere: This will help you identify objects in the night sky.
Dobsonian telescopes are generally the easiest to set up, as they typically only require placing them on the ground and aligning the finder scope. Refractors and reflectors may require more assembly and alignment, but the process is not overly complicated. Many telescopes come with instructions and online resources can also be helpful.
You may need a few basic tools, such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench, to assemble some telescopes. However, you do not need any special knowledge to get started. There are many resources available to help you learn how to use your telescope, such as online tutorials, books, and astronomy clubs.
Here is a general guide to what you can expect to see under typical observing conditions with different telescope apertures:
50mm-70mm: You can see the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter, and some brighter deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
70mm-100mm: You can see more detail in the planets, including the rings of Saturn and the cloud bands on Jupiter. You can also see more faint deep sky objects.
100mm+: You can start to see more challenging deep sky objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. You can also see more detail in fainter objects like comets and asteroids.
We are often advised that you are able to see them through any small telescope, or even binoculars. But you really need a telescope with at least 40 times magnification to clearly see the detail of the rings as separate from the planet. And the bigger the telescope, the better.
For Galactic Observations: A reflecting telescope with a larger aperture (150mm-250mm) and a moderate focal length (750mm-1250mm) is ideal for capturing distant galaxies. Telescopes such as the Orion XT8 or the Celestron Advanced VX 8" offer excellent light-gathering capabilities and versatility.
Optical telescopes, for example, can see objects up to billions of light-years away, while radio telescopes can detect signals from even further distances. However, when it comes to observing the universe's earliest moments, telescopes can only see so far.
In general, a top-quality 4-inch refractor shows deep-sky objects about as well as a 5-inch reflector or catadioptric, and might even do a bit better on the planets. Most telescopes with apertures of 80 mm or less are refractors.
Refractor Telescopes: Refractors use lenses to gather and focus light, offering crisp and clear images. They are excellent for planetary observation due to their ability to provide high contrast and detailed views.
Some of the most newly detected objects may be over 13 billion light years away, as derived from a standard model of the Universe. However, a powerful new generation of telescopes, like the James Webb Space Telescope, will be needed to confirm the suspected distances of these objects.
The most important aspect of any telescope is its aperture, the diameter of its main optical component, which can be either a lens or a mirror. A scope's aperture determines both its light-gathering ability (how bright the image appears) and its resolving power (how sharp the image appears).
The telescope you want has two essentials: high-quality optics and a steady, smoothly working mount. And all other things being equal, big scopes show more and are easier to use than small ones, as we'll see below. But don't overlook portability and convenience — the best scope for you is the one you'll actually use.
With just a small or medium-sized telescope, skygazers can easily observe planets. You'll be surprised how much of our solar system you can see! And you don't need a dark sky to view all of our solar system's planets; even under city lights, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be easy to see with a telescope.
In summary: Refractors generally have the edge over reflectors for a quality image, both from the standpoint of lens/mirror quality and precision optical mountings, and lack of central obscurations.