Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 10 - Jul 15
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
Explore Scientific ED102 102mm f/7 FCD100 Triplet Telescope in Carbon FiberHauling an aluminum refractor tube to a dark site or up to a rooftop observatory adds weight that compounds with the mount, tripod, and accessories. The Explore Scientific ED102 FCD100 Carbon Fiber delivers apochromatic triplet performance with HOYA FCD100 glass in a carbon fiber tube that sheds weight, resists temperature driven focus shifts, and looks the part at a fraction of what comparable 4 inch carbon fiber APOs cost from competitors. Key
Hauling an aluminum refractor tube to a dark site or up to a rooftop observatory adds weight that compounds with the mount, tripod, and accessories. The Explore Scientific ED102 FCD100 Carbon Fiber delivers apochromatic triplet performance with HOYA FCD100 glass in a carbon fiber tube that sheds weight, resists temperature-driven focus shifts, and looks the part — at a fraction of what comparable 4-inch carbon fiber APOs cost from competitors.
Key Features
- HOYA FCD100 Extra-Low Dispersion Glass – FPL-53 equivalent optics virtually eliminate false color, delivering sharp, true-to-life views of planets, double stars, and deep-sky targets in both visual and imaging use
- Air-Spaced Triplet Optical Design – Three-element configuration achieves 1.14 arcsecond resolution and diffraction-limited performance with high contrast across the field
- Carbon Fiber Tube Construction – Significantly lighter than aluminum alternatives and far more thermally stable, reducing focus shift during long-exposure imaging sessions and speeding up cool-down time at the observing site
- 2.5" Hexagonal Dual-Speed Focuser – Rock-solid rack-and-pinion design with 10:1 fine focus ratio supports up to 10 lbs of imaging gear with zero flex or image shift
- EMD Enhanced Multi-Layer Coatings – Proprietary broadband coatings maximize light transmission and contrast for faint deep-sky targets
- Versatile f/7 Focal Ratio – Long enough for high-magnification lunar and planetary detail, yet pairs well with a field flattener for sharp, flat-field deep-sky imaging
- Retractable Carbon Fiber Dew Shield – Blocks stray light and slows dew formation during extended sessions without adding bulk
- 99% Reflective 2" Diagonal Included – Premium dielectric diagonal maximizes light throughput right out of the box, so you can start observing without additional purchases
Ideal For
- Astrophotographers on mid-range mounts who want sharp, well-corrected optics that perform on a HEQ5, Celestron AVX, or similar payload — the 9.5 lb carbon fiber OTA leaves plenty of weight budget for cameras and guide scopes
- Visual observers stepping up from doublets looking for clean, color-free views of planetary detail, tight double stars, and crisp star clusters without the chromatic aberration that plagues two-element designs
- Grab-and-go astronomers who want serious apochromatic performance in a compact, lightweight package that sets up quickly and reaches thermal equilibrium fast
- Budget-conscious buyers who want genuine FCD100/FPL-53 triplet APO quality without paying the $2,500–$3,000 that competing 4-inch triplets demand — this scope delivers the optical performance at roughly half the price
Accessories & Compatibility
- Explore Scientific Field Flattener (f/5–f/7) – Eliminates field curvature for sharp, flat stars edge-to-edge in deep-sky imaging — a must-have for astrophotography with this scope
- Explore Scientific 8x50 Illuminated Right Angle Polar Finder – Accurate polar alignment with an illuminated reticle for precise tracking during long exposures
- Explore Scientific Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount – Smooth manual tracking for visual observing sessions — a natural pairing for grab-and-go use
- Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount – GoTo motorized mount with PMC-Eight system for automated object tracking and long-exposure astrophotography
- Explore Scientific Soft-Sided Telescope Case – Padded protection for safe transport to dark-sky locations
Note: A finder scope and carrying case are not included. The pre-installed 2N1 finder scope base accepts most standard finder scopes and guiding systems.
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy