{"product_id":"es-ed102-fcd100-carbon-fiber-refractor-iexos-100-2-package","title":"Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 102mm f\/7 Carbon Fiber Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor with iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight GoTo Mount","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis package pairs the Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 with the iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight equatorial tracker system. The telescope is a 102 mm f\/7 air-spaced apochromatic triplet using HOYA FCD-100 extra-low-dispersion glass in a carbon fibre tube, at 714 mm focal length and 9.5 lb. It arrives with a computerised GoTo mount, tripod, and counterweights.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the step up in aperture from the 80 mm triplets while staying genuinely portable — the carbon fibre tube is what makes that possible. It suits an imager who wants more resolution and a longer native focal length for galaxies and planetary nebulae, and a visual observer who wants a 4-inch apochromat that still travels easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e102 mm f\/7 air-spaced triplet with HOYA FCD-100 ED glass, 714 mm focal length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarbon fibre tube, holding weight to 9.5 lb and reducing focus shift as temperature drops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e45 mm wide Vixen-style dovetail plate with cone-angle adjustments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eiEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight GoTo equatorial tracker with WiFi and Bluetooth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEight-core PMC-Eight motion control, tasks distributed across CPUs for smoother tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeavy-duty 2.5-inch HEX focuser rated to carry 10 lb of imaging equipment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOptical and Mechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA true air-spaced triplet with an FCD-100 element delivers diffraction-limited performance with residual colour low enough that bright stars record without a violet halo across the field. Carbon fibre matters for two reasons: it cuts weight, which is what lets a 4-inch triplet sit on a compact mount, and it expands far less than aluminium as the night cools, so focus holds through a long imaging session. The mount head weighs 9.45 lb on a 5.35 lb tripod with 1 kg counterweights, rated at approximately 9 lb of equipment alone and 15 lb photographic once counterweights are counted. Tripod height runs 25.5 inches collapsed to 45 inches extended with the head fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep-sky imaging of galaxies, planetary nebulae, and smaller clusters at 714 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-resolution lunar and planetary observing and imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble star work, where the extra aperture separates closer pairs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel and dark-site trips needing 4-inch apochromatic performance in a light package\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 45 mm dovetail plate is Vixen-style and seats in the mount's saddle as supplied; the cone-angle adjustments let you square the tube to the mount for accurate GoTo pointing. At f\/7 the telescope falls inside the range of the Explore Scientific field flattener for f\/5 to f\/7 refractors, which we stock separately, and a 0.7x reducer-corrector is also available for it. The mount runs over WiFi, Bluetooth, or wired serial with the ExploreStars app or any ASCOM-compatible software; a tablet or computer is not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 9.5 lb tube sits close to the mount's 9 lb equipment-only rating, so this pairing is best used with the counterweights fitted as supplied and a modest camera rather than a heavy imaging train — talk to us if you plan to add a filter wheel and off-axis guider. Explore Scientific publishes no packing list for this configuration, so the items above reflect the tube and mount specifications they do publish. Eyepieces, diagonal, camera adapters, and a tablet are separate. Published weights are 9.5 lb tube, 9.45 lb mount head, 5.35 lb tripod, 1 kg per counterweight; the checkout shipping weight is the sum rounded up to the next whole pound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e Mechanically no — the dovetail drops in and the counterweights slide on. Polar alignment and star alignment take a first evening to learn, and Explore Scientific publishes guides for both.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the mount big enough for this telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is within rating with the supplied counterweights, and fine for a camera or eyepiece. If you intend to hang a full imaging train off the back, a heavier mount such as the EXOS-2GT is the safer pairing, and we can quote that combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy carbon fibre?\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower weight and far less focus drift as the temperature falls, which matters over a long exposure sequence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a flattener?\u003c\/strong\u003e For imaging with a larger sensor, yes — the f\/5 to f\/7 flattener suits this telescope and we stock it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 4-inch FCD-100 apochromat in a carbon fibre tube with a GoTo mount included, giving longer focal length and more aperture without a heavy setup to carry. Our team in Bolton can advise on the flattener and camera train that suit your sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53955324641391,"sku":"ES-FCD100-102-CF-IEXOS100","price":3603.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/cftelebundleesmount.png?v=1785951278","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/es-ed102-fcd100-carbon-fiber-refractor-iexos-100-2-package","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}