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 Air-Spaced 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. Interferometic data on your newly purchased and registered Explore apochromatic refractor is available upon request after 6 months of ownership. Time restrictions apply; please contact Customer Service for more information.
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 Triplet APO refractors, including a very liberal warranty that speaks volumes about the confidence we have in our telescopes!
Explore ED102 Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Highlights
The Explore ED102 Essential Edition telescope comes with a white aluminum tube with black accents. Explore Scientific Air-Spaced Apochromatic Triplets have true APO optic 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. While refractors seldom require additional collimation after initial factory adjustment, the lens cell design allows for consumer collimation. Sending your ED102 Triplet off to the factory is always an option, but is not required. 102mm models come with a heavy-duty 2" dual-speed rotatable focuser, including 2 draw tube extensions. To attach your Explore Scientific Air-Spaced Triplet telescope to a variety of mounts, we have included the "Vixen-style" dovetail. The "Vixen-style" plate fits mounts made by Explore, Meade, Celestron, Vixen & others. 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.
The Explore Scientific 102mm f/7 Air-Spaced Triplet ED APO produces a visual experience that is often compared to much larger aperture reflector telescopes. The contrast and resolving power can reveal stunning detail on planets and deep sky objects alike. The designers of the Air Spaced Triplet ED Apo Series pursued to produce top-quality refractors with lasting value. The optical solution was to provide a traditional air-spaced design mounted in a rugged, adjustable lens cell. This design, shaped from experienced craftsmanship and polished from genuine HOYA FCD1 (Dense Fluor Crown) ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, a critical element to produce images that refractor afficianados know can only be obtained with a high-quality true apochromat. Exploring the fine features around the Moon's Hadley Rille will put to test observing skills of any astronomer as well as precision of telescope optics. Better optical quality dictates more precise focusing. This is especially true when observing at high magnification or when making CCD images. With a standard focuser, you will find that a tiny nudge will throw out focus and turn your night into one of frustration. So we included as standard equipment, on all Explore Scientific ED Apos, two-speed Crayford-style precision focuser with tension adjustment and lock to obtain and hold perfect focus. We think you'll agree that such precision is worth it.
ED102 White Essential Series f/7 Air Spaced Triplet; 99% Reflective 2" Diagonal; Two-Speed Rack and Pinion Focuser, Cradle Rings w/ Handle and Vixen-Style Dovetail; Finder Scope Base. (Finder Scope and Case Not Included)
