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)

All 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.

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.

Bresser 70° Series 30mm NON-WATERPROOF Eyepiece; 2" Barrel

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. Click Here to register.