Explore Scientific 102mm f/7 Carbon Fiber FCD100 ED Triplet Refractor

The Explore Scientific 4" (102mm) aperture "Carbon Fiber" ES102 ED triplet refractor uses a premium Hoya FCD100 ED glass element and state-of-the-art optical multicoatings in its apochromatic air-spaced ED triplet optics. The result is images that are essentially free of the annoying halo of unfocused violet light (chromatic aberration) that mars the view of bright stars and solar system objects in lesser scopes, despite the scope's relatively large aperture, and even at very high magnifications.

The Explore Scientific ES102 is a natural on an equatorial mount as the heart of your primary observing system. In addition, it's an excellent astrograph for serious wide field imaging, as well as crisp solar system imaging. Considering its lifetime warranty, its surprisingly reasonable price for a 4" apochromatic triplet, and in view of the great optical performance that comes as standard equipment, the 4" Explore Scientific ES102 is a terrific buy!

Features of this Telescope . . .

ED triplet refractor optics: 102mm (4") aperture, 714mm focal length, f/7 focal ratio three-lens air-spaced optical system. The optics use a center lens element of Hoya FCD100 (Dense Fluor Crown) glass, the Hoya equivalent of FPL-53 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass. This ED element produces superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing the chromatic aberration, the "false" color fringing seen around bright objects when light rays pass through standard crown-and-flint doublet objectives, particularly those with apertures in the ES102 class. Relying on technological innovation, Explore Scientific has 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 them to achieve unprecedented advanced chromatic aberration correction. Hoya FCD100 is considered the best glass ever produced by Hoya.

Fully multicoated optics: The ES102 triplet objective lens has EMD™ (Enhanced Multilayer Deposition) antireflection multicoatings on all air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission, minimal light scatter, and excellent contrast.

Carbon fiber body: The body and dew shield of the 127mm Explore Scientific are made of woven carbon fiber fabric, encapsulated in epoxy. Carbon fiber, the same material used to fabricate much of the fuselage and wings of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger jet, has a high strength-to-weight ratio to keep the scope almost 20% lighter than comparable aperture aluminum-body scopes. In addition, it has low thermal expansion characteristics when subjected to temperature variations. This helps to keep the instrument sharply focused as the ambient temperature changes, which is particularly important during critical long-exposure CCD imaging.

Internal light baffles: The aluminum tube body has contrast-enhancing internal light baffles and a specially darkened tube interior to provide dark sky backgrounds and high contrast.

Collimatable optics: One of the bonuses of owning a refractor is that, compared to standard reflector telescopes, they almost never require realigning of the optics (collimation). However, any air-spaced refractor telescope may require optical recentering if the lens elements are knocked out of alignment by a heavy blow during shipping or use. Removing the dew shield will give you access to the lens centering screws in the sides of the lens cell, which you can then adjust yourself by referring to the supplied instructions. You can also send your scope to Explore Scientific's Service Center for precision alignment. A standard service charge applies for factory realignment.

Dew shield: The supplied dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves the contrast, similar to the effect of the lens shade on a camera lens, when observing during the day or when there is excessive ambient light at night, such as a neighbor's backyard security light. A slip-on metal dust cap is standard.

Dual speed 2.5" Hexagonal focuser: The rotating precision-made no-backlash focuser has dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with a 10:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during high magnification visual observing and critical DSLR or CCD imaging. The large focus knobs have ribbed gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather.

The focuser drawtube has a scale marked in centimeters and 1mm increments. This lets you note individual focuser positions for easy return to the correct focus when switching between visual use and photography. Lock knobs let you adjust the tension on the drawtube to accommodate varying eyepiece/photo accessory loads, as well as firmly lock in a photographic focus. The focuser terminates in a non-marring 2" compression ring accessory holder. Two 2" draw tube extensions are included to let adjust the back focus when using a diagonal and eyepieces versus a camera.

Mounting rings and dovetail: The ES102 has dual split mounting rings with a dovetail plate that fits the Vixen-style dovetail slot on the head of many of the most popular medium capacity German equatorial mounts. Such mounts include go-to mounts from Celestron and iOptron, among others. A spacer/stabilizing bar on the top of the rings provides a carrying handle that makes it easy to transport the optical tube and install it on your equatorial mount. There is a mounting shoe for an optional finderscope installed on the body of the scope.

Extended lifetime warranty: This individually serial numbered Explore Scientific telescope is backed by a limited one year warranty, which will be extended to an Explore Scientific transferable Life of the Product limited warranty when its warranty card is registered with Explore Scientific within 60 days of purchase.