The difference between FCD1 and FCD100 glass is subtle in specs but obvious at the eyepiece — tighter star points, less residual color on bright targets, and cleaner contrast on high-magnification planetary work. The Explore Scientific ED80 FCD100 delivers genuine HOYA FCD100 glass — the same premium optical grade found in triplets costing $1,400 and up — in a 7.5-pound grab-and-go package for $700. For observers upgrading from an FCD1 triplet or wanting to start with the best glass in a portable scope, this is where FCD100 becomes affordable.

Key Features

• HOYA FCD100 Extra-Low Dispersion Glass – FPL-53 equivalent ED glass in a three-element apochromatic design delivers near-zero chromatic aberration, clean star colors, and excellent contrast from visual wavelengths through H-alpha
• Air-Spaced Triplet Optical Design – Three-element configuration achieves 1.45 arcsecond resolution and diffraction-limited performance with a wide, well-corrected field
• 2.5" Hexagonal Dual-Speed Focuser – Rigid hex-profile body with 10:1 fine focus ratio supports up to 10 lbs of imaging gear with zero flex or shift — rotatable for framing without disturbing focus
• Fast f/6 Focal Ratio – Wide-field sweet spot for deep-sky astrophotography at 480mm, with enough focal length for detailed lunar and planetary views at up to 160x
• EMD Enhanced Multi-Layer Coatings – Proprietary broadband coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces maximize light transmission and contrast
• Ultra-Portable Design – Just 7.5 lbs and 15" of tube (dew shield retracted) make this one of the most travel-friendly triplet APOs available — sets up in minutes at any dark-sky site
• Retractable Dew Shield – Integrated shield blocks stray light and slows dew formation, retracting flush for compact storage and transport
• 99% Reflective 2" Diagonal Included – Premium dielectric diagonal with brass compression rings maximizes light throughput right out of the box

Ideal For

• Wide-field astrophotographers who want premium FCD100 optics at a price that leaves room in the budget for a solid mount and camera — 480mm at f/6 frames large nebulae and galaxy groups beautifully, and the 2.5" HEX focuser handles full imaging trains without flinching
• Grab-and-go observers who refuse to compromise on optical quality — at 7.5 lbs with a 15" tube, this is a true travel scope that still delivers apochromatic color correction and crisp planetary detail
• Dual-rig astrophotographers looking for a dedicated guide scope or secondary imaging OTA — the compact size and integrated Vixen dovetail mount directly to a larger setup without adapters
• Budget-conscious astronomers who want FPL-53-class glass without the $1,400–$2,200 price tag of competing 80mm triplets — the ED80 FCD100 is the most affordable 80mm APO with genuine premium-grade ED glass

Accessories & Compatibility

• Explore Scientific Field Flattener (f/5–f/7) – Eliminates field curvature for sharp, flat stars edge-to-edge in deep-sky imaging — recommended for astrophotography with this scope
• Explore Scientific 8x50 Illuminated Right Angle Polar Finder – Accurate polar alignment with an illuminated reticle for precise tracking during long exposures
• Explore Scientific Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount – Smooth manual tracking for visual observing sessions — a natural pairing for grab-and-go use
• Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount – GoTo motorized mount with PMC-Eight system for automated object tracking and long-exposure astrophotography
• ED80 Telescope Case – Custom-fit padded case for safe transport to dark-sky sites

Looking for a lighter-budget entry point? The ED80 Essential Series uses HOYA FCD1 glass and a standard 2" focuser at $500 — a solid choice for visual use and lighter imaging setups where the extra chromatic correction of FCD100 glass isn't critical.

Note: A finder scope and carrying case are not included. The pre-installed 2N1 finder scope base accepts most standard finder scopes and guiding systems.