• Explore Scientific ED80 APO Triplet Refractor + 0.8x Reducer + Field Flattener — Fast Wide-Field Astrophotography Bundle
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Explore Scientific

Explore Scientific ED80 Essential APO Triplet Refractor + Field Flattener — Wide-Field Astrophotography Kit

Explore Scientific ED80 Essential APO Triplet Refractor + Field Flattener — Wide-Field Astrophotography Kit

$565.00
$799.99 $565.00
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The Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Refractor is an 80mm f/6 air-spaced triplet apochromatic refractor telescope — a portable, astrophotography-grade scope that delivers pinpoint stars with very little false color. Its air-spaced triplet lens uses genuine HOYA ED glass for crisp, high-contrast views and images at a friendly price.

This bundle adds a matched field flattener that keeps stars sharp all the way into the corners of your frame at the scope's native f/6 (480mm) — ideal for wide-field deep-sky astrophotography.

Who it's for

Keen beginners and up who want genuine apochromatic optics with flat-field, edge-to-edge sharpness for astrophotography. This is an optical tube with flattener — a mount and camera are sold separately. Getting into imaging? See our astrophotography for beginners guide.

Key features

  • Air-spaced triplet apo optics with HOYA ED glass — minimizes the purple fringing cheaper scopes show
  • Included field flattener — flat, edge-to-edge sharp stars at native f/6
  • 2.5" HEX focuser holds up to 10 lb of camera gear rock-steady
  • Built-in retractable dew shield and Vixen dovetail for easy mounting
  • Compact, grab-and-go tube for travel and quick setups

Specifications

Optical design Air-spaced triplet apochromat
Glass HOYA FCD1 ED
Aperture 80 mm
Focal length 480 mm
Focal ratio f/6
Focuser 2.5" HEX, up to 10 lb capacity
Resolution 1.45 arcsec
Included Field flattener, dew shield, Vixen dovetail (OTA only — no mount)
Weight ~6 lb
SKU ES-ED-0806-FF

Frequently asked questions

What does the field flattener do?
It corrects the natural curvature of the focal plane so stars stay sharp in the corners, not just the center — essential for clean wide-field astrophotos. It keeps the native f/6 focal ratio.

What does apochromatic triplet mean?
It's a premium three-lens design that brings colors to a common focus, so stars look sharp and true rather than fringed — a real step up from doublet and achromatic refractors.

How is this different from the FCD100 version?
Same 80mm f/6 triplet layout, but the FCD100 version uses higher-grade HOYA FCD100 glass for even better correction. The Essential ED gives excellent results for less.

Is a mount included?
No — this is the optical tube plus flattener. You'll need a tracking equatorial mount and a camera for imaging.

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Frequently Asked Questions

With a beginner telescope you can see a surprising amount — the craters and mountains on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, and star clusters like the Pleiades. As you get more comfortable, you can also spot nebulae and distant galaxies. Not sure which beginner telescope is right for you? Check out our Telescope Buying Guide.
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All telescopes on Telescope Wolves are hand-picked with beginners in mind. If you're unsure which telescope is right for you, check out our Telescope Buying Guide.
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