The Explore Scientific 80mm f/6 Air-Spaced Triplet ED APO made Wired Magazine's Wish List for cool gifts and is a perfect instrument for demanding wide field observing and astrophotography.
Rugged and portable, unlike other "grab-and-go" small doublet ED refractors, this a true three-element apochromatic telescope capable of producing research-level image quality. Dr. Mike Reynolds used this telescope to make the first ever images of shadow bands on clouds during the total eclipse of the sun over Easter Island on July 11, 2010.
In addition to fine optical quality, the deluxe focuser, diagonal, finder scope, and case, make this telescope an extreme value
The Explore Scientific 80mm f/6 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor shown mounted on a Explore Scientific Mount (eyepiece and mount sold seperately).
True Air-Spaced Apochromatic Optics with all the Refinements...
EMD™
(Enhanced Multilayer Deposition) Coatings eliminates light scatter and
maintains image contrast. Contrast is further enhanced with multiple
baffles that mask and deflect unwanted stray light.
Hoya ED Glass, a Critical Element of Explore Scientific ED Apochromatic Refracting Telescopes
Explore Scientific uses ED (Extra-low
Dispersion) FCD1 (Dense Fluor Crown) glass developed by Hoya Optical of
Japan to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness
and color correction by minimizing the color dispersion (chromatic
aberration, or the "false" color fringing seen around bright objects
that happens when light rays pass through standard crown-and-flint
doublet objectives). This glass type offers a more durable and long
lasting solution to produce an optic to minimize chromatic aberration
over delicate fluorite crystal objectives that are prone to fracturing
and absorbing moisture.
High Performance Optics Demand a High Precision Focuser
All Explore Scientific ED Apochromatic Refractor telescopes include a precision Ten-to-One, Dual-Speed Focuser as standard equipment.
Exploring the fine features around the Moon's Hadley Rille
will put to test observing skills of any astronomer as well as
precision of telescope optics. Better optical quality dictates more
precise focusing.
This is especially true when observing
at high magnification or when making CCD images. With a standard
focuser, you will find that a tiny nudge will throw out focus and turn
your night into one of frustration.
So we included as standard equipment, on all Explore Scientific ED
Apos, a ten-to-one, two-speed Crayford-style precision focuser with
tension adjustment and lock to obtain and hold perfect focus. We think
you'll agree that such precision is worth it.
Optical Alignment
We
precision collimate every Explore Scientific telescope at our factory
to give optimum performance. Although you may never need to adjust
optical alignment, our ED Apos allow for optical centering to collimate the lens elements should the telescope ever require it.
One of the bonuses of ownership of a
refractor is that, compared to standard reflector telescopes, they
almost never require re-aligning of the optics (collimation). However,
any telescope that is subjected to shock may require optical alignment.
Removing the dew shield, you can access
the alignment screws, which you can adjust yourself by referring to the
instructions. You can also send it to Explore Scientific’s Service
Center for alignment. A standard service charge applies.
Viewing Comfort and the Preservation of Precious Light
The Two Inch Dielectric Diagonal includes a 1.25" eyepiece holder adapter and dust covers to protect the mirror.
The purpose of a diagonal is to securely hold your eyepiece and to give you a comfortable viewing angle.
Provided as standard equipment, Explore
Scientific's Two Inch Dielectric Diagonal incorporates a light-weight,
one-piece diagonal body that securely cradles the precision polished
diagonal flat mirror, insuring precision alignment. Ultra-high
reflective coatings (99% reflective) composed of multiple thin layers of
dielectric material delivers maximum light output.
Both 2" and 1.25" eyepiece holders
use compression rings instead of a simple set-screw to more securely
hold your valued eyepiece (or imaging device) and to minimize scoring of
eyepiece barrels. You can thread standard 48mm filters into the barrel.
We Keep You from Getting Lost in the Dark!
The Explore Scientific 8x50 Erect-Image Viewfinder with Illuminated Reticle is standard equipment.
Many premium small refractors don't
include some basic accessories like a viewfinder. This is often done to
keep prices down. Those manufacturers rationalize that its owner simply
will not need a viewfinder... wrong!
While it's true that ED
Apos in this aperture usually have short focal lengths, it still is a
challenge to successfully aim the telescope without a viewfinder. So we
decided to offer a superior class 8x50 viewfinder as standard equipment.
The
illuminated reticle of the 8x50 Viewfinder with its scale markings and
open center not only helps you center objects precisely, but gives a
reference of the exact field of view in degrees. The deep red
illumination is continuously variable to provide the desired brightness.
The Explore Scientific 8x50
produces a wide 6° field of view and allows precision focus of both main
objective and eyepiece illuminated reticle. A precision polished roof
prism produces images that are right-side-up, left-to-right correct. In
other words, things are not upside-down and backwards like most
viewfinders. Our illuminated reticle is truly designed for finding
objects with its open center (so you don't mask the object you are
centering with cross hairs) and scale markings for 1.5°, 3°, and 4.5°
(the edge of the field of view is the 6° boundary).
The 55° apparent field, long
eye-relief eyepiece produces a bright 15.5mm exit pupil and will allow
you to find faint galaxies, comets, and nebulae. All optics are
fully-multicoated to insure maximum contrast.
Universal Mounting Plate
The Universal Adjustable Mounting Plate of the ED
80 fits on mounts supplied by Explore Scientific, Vixen, and Meade
LXD55/75. It also attaches to photo tripods with standard USA or
European thread attaching knobs.
You can mount the ED 80 to many
popular equatorial and Altaz mounts, including Explore Scientific's
Mounts. Photographers, who are looking for super high resolution optics,
can mount the optical tube assembly to their existing medium-duty
camera tripod. A release knob allows the tube assembly to rotate so that
the camera can be positioned at any angle.
Free Extended Warranty!
All Explore Scientific telescopes and
telescope accessories are covered under our standard U.S.A. One Year
Limited Warranty against defects with proof of purchase, but you can
extend this limited warranty to five years by simply filling out the
product registration and submit it in within 60 days.
This program is also available to the
person who receives your gift of an Explore Scientific telescope. You
don't need to give them the purchase receipt, just remind them to fill
out the registration and submit it, and we'll take care of the rest.
