Six inches of aperture at f/6.5, 988mm focal length, and a dual-speed focuser already included — the Explore Scientific 152mm f/6.5 Achromat Refractor (DAR152065-01) is the OTA for observers who have a mount and want maximum refractor aperture. At f/6.5, chromatic aberration is substantially better-controlled than f/5 wide-field achromats, making this a more capable planetary instrument while still delivering wide-field deep-sky performance that 127mm scopes can't match.
Unlike the 152mm f/5 wide-field achromat
The FirstLight AR152 (FL-AR152760) runs at f/5 — excellent for wide-field sweeping, but faster focal ratios produce more visible chromatic aberration on bright targets. The DAR152065-01 at f/6.5 brings the color correction into a noticeably cleaner range, making it a more versatile instrument: wide-field enough for deep-sky clusters and nebulae, corrected well enough for satisfying planetary work. The dual-speed Crayford focuser and included 2-inch dielectric diagonal mean you're adding mount and eyepieces, not sourcing additional accessories before you can observe.
What you'll see
152mm gathers nearly twice the light of a 4-inch refractor. The Orion Nebula shows internal structure and multiple Trapezium stars crisp against the bright core. The Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae are clearly distinct targets in the same field under dark skies. Globular clusters like M13 and M5 fully resolve to the core. Jupiter's Great Red Spot and multiple cloud belts are consistently clear at medium-high power. Saturn's Cassini Division is obvious; the Crepe Ring is visible on steady nights. For galaxies, the Virgo Cluster becomes a multi-member tour with structural detail in the brighter members.
What's in the box
- 152mm f/6.5 achromatic doublet refractor OTA
- 2-inch dual-speed Crayford focuser with 1.25-inch adapter
- 2-inch dielectric diagonal
- Vixen-style cradle rings and dovetail bar
- Dust caps
| Spec |
Value |
| SKU |
DAR152065-01 |
| Optical Design |
Achromatic Doublet Refractor |
| Aperture |
152mm (6 inches) |
| Focal Length |
988mm |
| Focal Ratio |
f/6.5 |
| Focuser |
2-inch dual-speed Crayford with 1.25-inch adapter |
| Included Accessories |
2-inch dielectric diagonal, OTA only — mount not included |
Price Match, Shipping & Questions
We price-match any authorized Canadian or US retailer. Ships free to the contiguous US. Questions? Email us at support@telescopewolves.com or visit our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mount does this require?
A 152mm f/6.5 refractor is a substantial OTA — budget for a mount rated at 25+ lbs payload. For visual use, a quality heavy alt-az (Sky-Watcher AZ5 Deluxe, Explore Scientific Twilight II) or an EQ5-class equatorial works well. For astrophotography, an EQ6-class or better is needed. Call us if you'd like mount recommendations for your budget.
How does this compare to the DAR152065-02?
The DAR152065-02 is the same OTA with the addition of the Hybrid 2-in-1 Finder Base — a versatile dual-finder mount that accommodates different finder scope formats. If you have a specific finder scope in mind or want maximum flexibility for accessories on the tube, the -02 is worth the price difference. If you're adding your own setup, the -01 is the straightforward choice.
Will chromatic aberration be visible?
At f/6.5, chromatic aberration in an achromatic doublet is well-controlled — meaningfully better than f/5 designs. On bright targets like the Moon's limb and Venus, a thin fringe may be visible at high power. For the vast majority of visual observing — nebulae, clusters, galaxies, planetary work — it's acceptable and non-intrusive.
Does it include any eyepieces?
The OTA includes a 2-inch diagonal. Eyepieces are not included — you'll need to supply your own. For a 988mm focal length scope, a 25mm wide-field 2-inch eyepiece provides ~40× for low-power sweeping, and a 6–8mm 1.25-inch gives 125–165× for planetary work.
New to telescopes?
Our beginner guides walk you through everything — from setting up your first scope to finding objects in the night sky.
