Explore Scientific ED102 Essential Triplet Refractor
Explore Scientific
Explore Scientific ED102mm Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet APO Refractor is an optical tube for general deep-sky imaging and visual observing.
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Specifications
Optics
- Optical design
- Air-spaced APO triplet refractor
- Aperture
- 102 mm
- Focal length
- 714 mm
- Focal ratio
- f/7
- Dawes limit
- 1.14"
- Glass
- Hoya extra-low dispersion (ED) Dense Fluor Crown (FCD1) glass wa
Specifications
- Focuser
- 2"
Mechanical
- Weight
- 12 lb (5.4 kg)
Astrophotography Fit
Best for general deep-sky imaging and visual observing when the mount, camera format, and correction hardware are chosen as one system.
Explore Scientific ED102mm Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet APO Refractor sits in the telescope slot for general deep-sky imaging and visual observing. The important buying question is whether the optical design, focal length, and mount demands match the targets you actually shoot.
Refractors keep the field routine calmer: no regular collimation, predictable cooldown, and a clean path to autofocus and filtered imaging. The tradeoff is aperture and reach.
Best paired with
- Corrected field flattener or reducer when the design requires one
- Cooled APS-C or smaller astro cameras matched to the image circle
- Autofocus, guide scope or OAG, and a mount with comfortable payload margin
Not recommended for
- Large full-frame sensors unless the corrected field supports them
- Very small travel mounts near their realistic imaging payload limit
- Buyers expecting one telescope to be ideal for every target size
Where To Buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. Prices and availability are pulled automatically from each retailer and updated daily.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | View Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Break Optics Cloud Break Optics | $699.99 | In stock Updated 5/9/2026 | View Offer - $699.99 |
| High Point Scientific High Point Scientific | $699.99 | In stock Updated 5/11/2026 | View Offer - $699.99 |