The Explore Scientific 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED APO produces a visual experience that is often compared to much larger aperture reflector telescopes. The contrast and resolving power can reveal stunning detail on planets and deep sky objects alike.

The owner of an Explore Scientific ED Apo will appreciate the attention to detail and the standard hardware, includes a precision two-speed focuser, a 2" 99% reflective dielectric diagonal, an 8x50 erect-image, illuminated-reticle viewfinder, and a deluxe case. You can be confident that the quality and construction of these telescopes will allow heavy use for many years and are backed with a transferrable Five Year USA Limited Warranty.

Optics

HOYA Inside - In pursuit of good design and manufacture of top-quality refractors with lasting value, genuine HOYA™ FCD1 (Dense Fluor Crown) ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass is employed. This critical element produces images that refractor aficionados know can only be obtained with a high-quality true apochromat. The apochromatic lens assembly is mounted in a rugged, adjustable lens cell.

Enhanced Multilayer Deposition (EMD™) Coatings eliminate light scatter and maintains image contrast. Contrast is further enhanced with multiple baffles that mask and deflect unwanted stray light.

Every Explore Scientific telescope is precision collimated at the factory to give optimum performance. Although you may never need to adjust optical alignment, these 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.

Focusing

High Performance Optics demand a high precision focuser. Perfect focus is easily achieved with the standard-equipment ten-to-one, dual-speed focuser.

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.

Star Diagonal

The 2" dielectric diagonal provided as standard equipment includes a 1.25" eyepiece holder adapter and dust covers to protect the mirror. This 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 prevent the eyepiece or camera barrel from being scoring. You can thread standard 48mm filters into the 2" barrel or the 1.25" adapter.

Finderscope

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.

A superior class 8x50 viewfinder is also 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 in brightness. The finderscope 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. The 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.

Carbon Fiber Tube and Cradle Rings with Handle

Although it cost more, carbon fiber was chosen for the telescope tube and dew shield for its high strength-to-weight ratio and its low expansion characteristics when subjected to temperature variations. This helps to keep the instrument light in weight and keeps the instrument focused even if the temperature drops.

Even though this telescope uses a carbon fiber tube making it much lighter, a handle was supplied to easily grip the telescope for mounting and placing it back in its case. In addition the handle is slotted to accept a standard 1/4x20 bolt to attach a camera.

Universal Mounting Plate

The Universal Adjustable Mounting Plate of the ED 127 fits on mounts from Explore Scientific, Celestron, Orion, Sky-Watcher, Vixen, and Meade. It also attaches to 1/4 20tpi standard photo tripods.

You can mount the ED 127 to many popular equatorial and Altaz mounts, including Explore Scientific mounts.

Free Extended Warranty

Register Your Explore Scientific Telescope in Canada or the USA and receive a free Five Year Extended Warranty.

All Explore Scientific telescopes and telescope accessories are covered under the Explore Scientific USA 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.

Features

• Air-spaced triplet featuring genuine HOYA™ FCD1 Extra-low Dispersion glass
• 2" 10:1 Dual-speed Crayford focuser
• 2" Dielectric star diagonal
• Carbon Fiber optical tube
• Removable/reversible dew shield
• Includes heavy duty carry case

Specifications

• Aperture: 127mm (5")
• Focal Length: 952mm (37.5")
• Focal Ratio: f/7.5
• Lens Construction: Air-spaced triplet APO, HOYA™ FCD-1 low-dispersion glass
• 2" dual-speed crayford focuser with compression ring
• Cast aluminum tube rings with 44mm (1.75") dovetail bar
• Camera Capable:
• USB imagers
• All-in-one cameras via universal digital camera adapter
• DSLR/SLR (Requires T2 ring, 2" prime focus adapter)
• Above cameras and adapters sold separately
• Heavy duty carry case included
• Length 101.6cm (40") (lens shade extended)
• Length 83cm (33") (lens shade reversed)
• Weight 7.3kg (16.1lbs)
• Color: Carbon fiber black
• Explore Scientific One Year Warranty, free upgrade to five year with registration