Explore Scientific 102 mm Essential Air-Spaced ED Triplet Refractor

Explore Scientific 102mm Essential Series Refractor OTA

When the designers at Explore Scientific set their sights on creating a top-quality apochromatic refractor that anyone would be proud to own, they decided on a traditional air-spaced triplet optical design in a rugged, adjustable lens cell. All materials had to be top-notch, so genuine Hoya extra-low dispersion (ED) Dense Fluor Crown (FCD1) glass was chosen, and then experienced craftsmen shaped and polished the elements that would form the foundation of a high-quality, true APO refractor.

All Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet APO Refractors are diffraction-limited at .25PV or better. Special EMD™ enhanced multi-layer coatings are deposited on all optical surfaces, and the result is bright, high contrast images with virtually no light scatter.

While optics are definitely the most important component of any telescope, other features, like the focuser and the optical tube, play a crucial role in the design. Below you will find highlights on all of the ingredients used to create Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet APO refractors, including a very liberal warranty that speaks volumes about the confidence we have in our telescopes!

The Hybrid Finder Scope base can accept all legacy Explore Scientific finder scope brackets, as well as the mini dovetail type (Vixen, Synta, Celestron). Made of rugged, black anodized metal with chrome-plated metal screws.

Explore ED102 Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Highlights

• The Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet telescope has a focal length of 714mm and an f/ratio of 7.

• These 102mm apochromatic refractors have true APO optics and are diffraction limited at .25PV or better.

• Genuine ED glass from Hoya Japan is used on all ED APO Triplets at Explore, for superb quality and light throughput.

• Enhanced Multi-Layer Coatings (EMD) are deposited on optical elements to boost contrast and eliminate light scatter; and contrast is further enhanced with the installation of matte black knife-edge baffles in the optical tube assembly.

• These 102mm apochromatic refractors come with a heavy-duty 2" dual-speed rotatable focuser and a 2" 99% reflective diagonal.

• To attach your Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet telescope to a variety of mounts, Explore has included the "Vixen-style" dovetail at the base of the dual rings. The "Vixen-style" plate fits mounts made by Explore, Meade, Celestron, Vixen & others.

• This Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet telescope weighs 11 lb. The tube assembly is 25.6" long and has an outside diameter of 102mm, or 4.01".

• All Explore Scientific products come with a STAR Extended-Life-of-the-Product Warranty. Upon registration, this product will be under warranty for as long as it is manufactured, plus five years.