{"product_id":"es-ed80-essential-refractor-0-8x-reducer-iexos-100-2-package","title":"Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Triplet Refractor with 0.8x Focal Reducer and iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight GoTo Mount","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis package pairs the Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series 80 mm f\/6 air-spaced triplet refractor with the 0.8x focal reducer and the iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight equatorial tracker system. It arrives as a complete imaging setup: apochromatic optics corrected to f\/4.8 by the reducer, on a computerised GoTo mount with WiFi and Bluetooth control, with tripod and counterweights included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is for someone assembling a first complete astrophotography rig, or an experienced observer who wants a light, portable second setup that tracks. Buying the telescope, corrector, and mount together removes the compatibility guesswork — the dovetail, the saddle, and the payload rating are already matched.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eED80 Essential Series 80 mm f\/6 air-spaced triplet with HOYA FCD-1 ED glass, 480 mm focal length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e0.8x focal reducer bringing the system to f\/4.8 for wide-field imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eiEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight GoTo equatorial tracker with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePMC-Eight motion control uses an eight-core microcontroller, with CPUs assigned to separate tasks for smoother tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree ExploreStars app for Windows, Android, Amazon Fire, and Apple tablets, plus an ASCOM driver for third-party software\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.5-inch hexadecimal focuser rated to 10 lb, 99% reflective 2-inch diagonal, two extension tubes, and counterweights included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOptical and Mechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe triplet objective uses an ED element to suppress the colour fringing a doublet leaves on bright stars, giving 1.45 arcsecond resolution and a limiting magnitude of 12. The mount is a German equatorial design: the head weighs 9.45 lb and the tripod 5.35 lb, with counterweights of 1 kg each. Explore Scientific rates capacity at approximately 9 lb of equipment alone, 15 lb photographic and 19 lb visual once counterweights are counted — comfortable margin over the 5.95 lb tube. The tripod stands 25.5 inches collapsed and reaches 45 inches at full extension with the head fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field deep-sky astrophotography at f\/4.8 with tracked exposures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing with GoTo object location, using the included 2-inch diagonal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel to dark sites, where the whole package packs down small\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearning the sky, with the ExploreStars database driving the mount to targets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe telescope's Vixen-style dovetail seats directly in the mount's saddle. The reducer presents a 42 mm T2 thread on the camera side, so add the T2 camera ring matching your body; its barrel also takes standard 2-inch filters. The mount runs from the PMC-Eight system over WiFi, Bluetooth, or wired serial, and works with any ASCOM-compatible planetarium software. A tablet or computer is not included. The Hybrid 2N1 finder base is fitted; a finder scope is separate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo eyepieces are included, so budget at least one for visual use, and a tablet or laptop is needed to drive the GoTo system. Power for the PMC-Eight comes from a battery pack or a 12 V DC supply, which we stock separately. On weight: Explore Scientific publishes 5.95 lb for the tube, 9.45 lb for the mount head, 5.35 lb for the tripod, and 1 kg per counterweight; they publish no figure for the reducer. The shipping weight shown at checkout is the sum of the published component weights rounded up to the next whole pound, and does not replace the individual specifications above.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e The mechanical side is quick — spread the tripod, drop the head on, seat the dovetail, fit the counterweights. The part that takes a first evening is polar alignment and the app's star alignment routine, and Explore Scientific publishes a guide for both. Call us and we will walk you through the first night.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a computer to use it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, for GoTo. A tablet running the free ExploreStars app is the usual choice; a laptop with ASCOM software also works.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it visually as well?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Fit the included 2-inch diagonal and an eyepiece, and let the GoTo find targets for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the mount handle a heavier telescope later?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is rated to roughly 9 lb of equipment, so it will take a modestly larger tube, but it is sized for instruments of about this class.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA matched telescope, corrector, and tracking mount in one box, ready to image at f\/4.8. Everything mechanical fits together as supplied, so the only decisions left are your camera and an eyepiece. Our team in Bolton can spec both.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53955275456623,"sku":"ES-ED-0806-FR0.8x-IEXOS100","price":1662.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ES-ED0806-FR-iEXOS_1.jpg?v=1785951113","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/es-ed80-essential-refractor-0-8x-reducer-iexos-100-2-package","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}