{"product_id":"explore-scientific-ed80-essential-triplet-refractor-0-8x-focal-reducer","title":"Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series 80mm f\/6 Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor with 0.8x Focal Reducer","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series is an 80 mm f\/6 air-spaced apochromatic triplet refractor built around a HOYA FCD-1 extra-low-dispersion element. At 480 mm of focal length and 5.95 lb for the tube assembly, it is a short, portable instrument that works equally well as a visual grab-and-go scope and as an imaging telescope. This configuration ships with the Explore Scientific 0.8x focal reducer, which shortens the system to 384 mm at f\/4.8 for wide-field astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good fit for an observer who wants apochromatic colour correction without a large tube to carry, and for imagers working with wide targets — large emission nebulae, open clusters, and the Milky Way star fields — where a fast focal ratio matters more than raw aperture. It suits a first dedicated astrophotography telescope, and it remains useful as a guide scope or travel scope after a larger instrument arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHOYA FCD-1 ED glass in a true air-spaced triplet objective for colour-accurate, high-contrast images\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded 0.8x focal reducer produces an f\/4.8 system for fast wide-field imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.5-inch hexagonal rack-and-pinion focuser rated to carry 10 lb of imaging equipment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e99% reflective 2-inch dielectric diagonal included for visual use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo focuser extension tubes for reaching focus across a range of eyepiece and camera combinations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilt-in retractable dew shield and Hybrid 2N1 finder base installed on the tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOptical and Mechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe objective is a three-element air-spaced design; the ED element suppresses the residual violet and blue halo that a doublet leaves around bright stars, which is what makes the difference visible on the Moon, on planets, and at the edges of a long exposure. Resolution is 1.45 arcseconds and limiting magnitude is 12. The tube measures 18.5 inches with the dew shield extended and 15 inches retracted, with an 85 mm outer diameter, and rides on a Vixen-style dovetail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field deep-sky astrophotography at f\/4.8 with the reducer fitted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing of the Moon, planets, double stars, and bright deep-sky objects with the 2-inch diagonal fitted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel and dark-site trips where tube weight and length are the limiting factor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolar imaging with an appropriate full-aperture solar filter, sold separately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Vixen-style dovetail fits the great majority of equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts we carry, including the Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-2 and EXOS-2GT. The reducer's camera-side adapter plate carries a 42 mm T2 thread, so a T2-mount camera ring for your camera body completes the imaging train; the reducer barrel is also threaded for standard 2-inch filters. The Hybrid 2N1 base is installed and ready for a finder scope, which is not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is an optical tube assembly with a corrector — a mount and tripod are needed and are sold separately. No eyepieces or finder scope are included, so plan on at least one eyepiece for visual use. Explore Scientific publishes a tube weight of 5.95 lb; the shipping weight shown at checkout is rounded up to the next whole pound, and does not change the specification above.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. The dovetail drops straight into a standard Vixen saddle, the dew shield slides out by hand, and the reducer threads on with the supplied adapter. There are no collimation adjustments to make.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it visually as well as for imaging?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Fit the included 2-inch diagonal and an eyepiece for visual work, or remove the diagonal and thread on the reducer for imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mount does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e Any mount rated comfortably above the tube's 5.95 lb plus your camera or diagonal and eyepiece. The iEXOS-100-2 is a common pairing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between this and the FCD-100 version?\u003c\/strong\u003e The FCD-100 uses a higher-grade HOYA ED glass and a heavier tube at 7.5 lb. Both are 80 mm f\/6 triplets; the FCD-100 offers a further reduction in residual colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 80 mm apochromatic triplet with the reducer already in the box, light enough for a small mount and corrected well enough for long exposures. If you want one telescope that images wide fields at f\/4.8 and still gives clean high-power views, this is a straightforward choice. Our team in Bolton is happy to help match it to a mount.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53955232235631,"sku":"ES-ED-0806-FR0.8x","price":789.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/DSC09065_NoDiag.jpg?v=1785950897","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/explore-scientific-ed80-essential-triplet-refractor-0-8x-focal-reducer","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}