The Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Edition is a value oriented member of the 80mm apochromatic refractor class priced only slightly higher than competing doublet refractors. The faster f/6 optics of this triplet design offer advantages in terms of both physical size and the potential field of view. Coupled to the right eyepiece or camera the 480mm focal length of this instrument will yield a five degree field of view.

Great for astrophotography, Explore Scientific’s Carbon Fiber 127mm Apochromatic Refractor can capture in stunning detail many of the night sky’s most notable treasures. With its true diffraction-limited optics and ample aperture, this versatile model can showcase deep sky delights like the edge-on Sombrero Galaxy with its distinct bulging center or the spiraling beauty of the face-on Pinwheel Galaxy as easily as it can reveal the intricacies of the Moon’s winding Hadley Rille. Featuring an air-spaced triplet optical design that virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations, this telescope generates brilliant high-contrast images by combining genuine HOYA extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and proprietary EMD enhanced multi-layer coatings on all optical surfaces. Its carbon fiber optical tube assembly reduces weight and eliminates focus change attributed to shrinking or expansion caused by temperature fluctuations. As an added bonus, its quick set-up allows you to spend more time at the eyepiece to make the most of your nights under the stars.

The Explore Scientific ED127 Essential Edition is a large 5-inch apochromatic refractor at a truly amazing price. This telescope includes a two-inch two-speed focuser, two-inch dielectric diagonal, tube rings with Vixen style dovetail. If you are looking for a big apochromatic refractor without an equally big price tag, then the Explore Scientific ED127would be a good place to start. This telescope combines excellent mechanical construction and optics. With a full five inches of unobstructed aperture, this telescope is equally at home when observing the moon, planets, double stars or deep space objects. The moderately long focal ratio of f/7.5 makes this a sizable instrument. We recommend German Equatorial mounts with a 30 pound instrument capacity as an absolute minimum platform for this telescope.