{"product_id":"ed80-fcd100-series-air-spaced-triplet-refractor-telescope","title":"ED80-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope","description":"\u003ch1\u003eED80-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n  The Explore Scientific ED80-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope is a high-performance optical instrument built for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers who demand sharp, color-accurate views without the bulk of a larger setup. At the heart of this scope is genuine HOYA FCD100 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass - a premium optical material delivering chromatic aberration correction comparable to the gold-standard Ohara FPL-53 glass. The air-spaced triplet design virtually eliminates color fringing, producing high-contrast images of lunar craters, planetary rings, and deep-sky nebulae with true-to-life color fidelity.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n  With an 80mm aperture, 480mm focal length, and a total weight of just 7.5 lbs, the ED80 is the ultimate grab-and-go refractor - fast to set up, easy to transport, and ready to perform wherever the sky is clear. It doubles as a versatile guide scope for larger imaging rigs, making it one of the most adaptable telescopes in its class. Proprietary EMD multi-layer coatings maximize light throughput, while the robust 2.5\" hexagonal focuser handles imaging loads up to 10 lbs with confident precision.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHOYA FCD100 ED Glass:\u003c\/strong\u003e Genuine extra-low dispersion glass delivers superior chromatic aberration correction and color fidelity on par with Ohara FPL-53 - a benchmark in premium optics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAir-Spaced Triplet Optical Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three-element, air-spaced lens system virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations for pinpoint, high-contrast views across the entire field.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEMD Multi-Layer Coatings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Proprietary Enhanced Multi-layer Deposition coatings optimize light transmission for brilliantly bright and detailed images.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80mm Aperture \/ f\/6 Focal Ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e 480mm focal length balances wide-field and planetary performance, making it capable across a broad range of targets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2.5\" Hexagonal Focuser:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rugged hex focuser provides precise, stable focusing control and supports imaging equipment up to 10 lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLightweight \u0026amp; Portable:\u003c\/strong\u003e At just 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg), the ED80 is one of the most travel-friendly high-quality refractors available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-Purpose Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Functions beautifully as a standalone visual and imaging scope, or as a guide scope paired with a larger telescope for advanced astrophotography.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVixen Dovetail Compatible:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships with a Vixen-style dovetail for broad compatibility with most equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDew Shield Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Integrated dew shield helps prevent moisture buildup on the objective lens during long observing sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Warranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Backed by Explore Scientific's limited warranty - register within 60 days to activate full coverage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOptions \u0026amp; Which to Choose\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80MM f\/6:\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic ED80 configuration - 80mm aperture with a 480mm focal length at f\/6. Compact, lightweight, and fast, this is the ideal grab-and-go refractor for visual observers and astrophotographers who want wide-field performance in a portable package.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80MM f\/6 + iEXOS-100-02 Bundle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Everything in the 80MM f\/6, paired with the Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker with WiFi and Bluetooth. A ready-to-image bundle for those stepping into tracked astrophotography without piecing together a system from scratch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e102MM f\/7:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steps up to a 102mm aperture for noticeably more light-gathering capability and finer resolution - great for observers who want sharper planetary detail and richer deep-sky views than the 80mm can deliver.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e102MM f\/7 CF:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 102mm f\/7 with a carbon fiber tube - lighter and more thermally stable than aluminum, making it the preferred choice for astrophotographers working in variable temperatures where tube flex and focus shift matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e102MM f\/7 CF + iEXOS-100-02 Bundle:\u003c\/strong\u003e The carbon fiber 102mm scope paired with the iEXOS-100-02 tracker - a premium, all-in-one imaging system for serious astrophotographers who want the best of portability and guided performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e127MM f\/7.5:\u003c\/strong\u003e The largest aperture in the series - 127mm of light-gathering power at f\/7.5 for the most detailed views and deepest images of any variant. Best suited for observers and imagers who prioritize resolution and light collection over portability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e127MM f\/7.5 CF:\u003c\/strong\u003e The flagship 127mm in a carbon fiber tube for reduced weight and superior thermal stability. The ultimate choice for the dedicated astrophotographer who wants maximum performance without sacrificing thermal consistency during long imaging sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eED80-FCD100 Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2.5\" Hexagonal Focuser\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDew Shield\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVixen Dovetail\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFree Backpack Carrying Case (limited time bonus offer - automatically added at checkout)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n  The Explore Scientific ED80-FCD100 has earned its reputation among amateur astronomers and astrophotographers as one of the best value-to-performance refractors on the market. The use of genuine HOYA FCD100 glass - rather than lower-grade ED substitutes - means you're getting optical quality that competes with scopes costing significantly more. Whether you're imaging the Orion Nebula from your backyard or guiding a larger imaging rig at a dark-sky site, this telescope delivers consistently sharp, color-accurate results you can count on night after night. Its lightweight, compact form factor means it's always easy to bring along, and the heavy-duty focuser ensures your camera or eyepiece stays locked in without drift. Trusted by the astronomy community and backed by Explore Scientific's dedicated warranty and support, the ED80-FCD100 is a telescope you'll reach for again and again - from your first night out to years of serious sky exploration.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-product-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eView Product Specs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eItem Number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFCD100-0806-02\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAperture\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFocal Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e480mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFocal Ratio\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ef\/6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLimiting Magnitude\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eResolution\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.45 arcsec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTube Length (with Dew Shield)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18.5\" \/ 475mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTube Length (without Dew Shield)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15\" \/ 381mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTube Diameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e85mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5 lb \/ 3.4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFocuser\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5\" Hexagonal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDovetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVixen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOptical Design\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir-Spaced Triplet Refractor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOptical Glass\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHOYA FCD100 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCoatings\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEMD Multi-Layer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-product-faq\"\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat is ED glass and why does it matter?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eED stands for Extra-Low Dispersion. It refers to specialty optical glass that bends different wavelengths of light more uniformly than standard glass, which significantly reduces chromatic aberration - the color fringing you see around bright objects in lower-quality scopes. The HOYA FCD100 glass used in this telescope is a top-tier ED material whose performance is comparable to Ohara FPL-53, one of the most respected optical glasses in the industry. The result is sharper, truer-color images whether you're observing visually or capturing images with a camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eIs this telescope good for astrophotography?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eYes - the ED80-FCD100 is an excellent choice for astrophotography. The air-spaced triplet design minimizes optical aberrations across a wide field, the EMD multi-layer coatings maximize light throughput, and the 2.5\" hexagonal focuser handles imaging setups up to 10 lbs without flex or drift. It works well for wide-field deep-sky imaging and also serves as a guide scope alongside a larger imaging telescope. For best results with a camera, pairing it with a field flattener is recommended for perfectly flat stars edge-to-edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat can I see with the ED80-FCD100?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eWith its 80mm aperture and premium optics, you can expect sharp views of the Moon's craters and mountain ranges, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands and moons, and a wide range of deep-sky objects including star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The f\/6 focal ratio and 480mm focal length make it especially well-suited for wide-field targets. With a limiting magnitude of 12, it will reveal far more stars and detail than the naked eye can detect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat mount does this telescope require?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eThe ED80-FCD100 comes with a Vixen-style dovetail, making it compatible with a wide range of popular equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts. For visual use, a lightweight alt-azimuth or equatorial mount works well. For astrophotography, a motorized equatorial tracking mount is strongly recommended to compensate for Earth's rotation during long exposures. The iEXOS-100-02 bundle option pairs this scope with a compatible tracking mount right out of the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the difference between the standard tube and the carbon fiber (CF) tube models?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eCarbon fiber tubes are lighter than aluminum and, more importantly, have a much lower coefficient of thermal expansion. This means the tube flexes and shifts less as temperatures change during a night of observing or imaging - reducing focus drift and keeping your optical alignment stable. For casual visual use, the standard aluminum tube performs excellently. For long astrophotography sessions where consistent focus is critical, the CF tube is the preferred choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes the free backpack carrying case come with every purchase?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"faq-content\"\u003eYes - as a limited-time bonus offer, a free Backpack Carrying Case is automatically added and discounted at checkout when you purchase this telescope. This is a great way to protect and transport your scope, especially given how grab-and-go friendly the ED80 already is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55918236795185,"sku":"FCD100-0806-02","price":785.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1724\/7681\/files\/FCD100_80mm_2_Burst_004bc693-2c8f-4f74-a888-29f541afe1bf.jpg?v=1787663242","url":"https:\/\/omahasportsandgames.com\/products\/ed80-fcd100-series-air-spaced-triplet-refractor-telescope","provider":"Omaha Sports \u0026 Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}