My NEW Explore Scientific Telescope
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- This is my new Explore Scientific refractor telescope. Here are the specs:
Telescope: Explore Scientific FCD100 Series 127mm f/7.5 Carbon Fiber Triplet ED APO Refractor Telescope with 2.5" HEX Focuser
Item Number: FCD100-127075-CF
Focal Length: 952mm
Focal Ratio: f/7.5
Limiting Magnitude: 13
Resolution: .9 arcsec
Tube Length w/ Dew Shield: 41.75"; 1060mm
Tube Length w/out Dew Shield: 33.25"; 849mm
Tube Diameter: 145mm
Weight: 14 lb; 6.4 kg
Dovetail: Vixen
Link: explorescienti...
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I wish there was a “love” button on TH-cam. 😊
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate that! 😊
Believe it or not I watched your videos along with Trevor and Dylan and after almost 18 months aid studying I bought my ES CF 127 triplet last January as my FIRST scope...I also added ASIAIR Pro, ASI290 mini, ASI2600 MC Pro, EAF, Iopton CEM60...you guys are so inspiring...and the rest of the community is a great community sharing knowledge and experiences...thank you for your really honest videos!
Great, glad to hear it!
Chuck, your excitement level is so high you can't contain it (and you shouldn't). Cool new scope and I'm looking forward to see what you pull out of the night sky.
Thanks Vince!
For the first time I truly laughed at the outtakes particularly when you said " I don't know what he told me"!! 8:27 Happened to me million times
Sometimes I get a on a roll where the words just flow, and other times I go blank. I need a script, lol.
@@ChucksAstrophotography Please don't use a script, just be yourself, that is what we like about you
I know why they wanted your scope! They will put that on display!! Congratulations Chuck!
LOL, now that would be awesome if it went on display. Thanks Ray!
Congrats on the new scope!! It looks fantastic in carbon fiber. Can't wait for the first light :)
Thanks
Galactic Hunter! I can't wait to get started with it.
Always get excited when I see a new video by Chuck! Keep doing the out takes...they are a crackup!
Thanks peeb, will do!
From now on Chuck.....I expect the bloopers afterwards....they are hilarious....makes your videos even better
lol, but if you don't see bloopers, that means I nailed it on the first take - which is always my goal.
I'm happy for you:) I know the excitement of getting new equipment! I am looking foward to the images you'll shoot!
Thanks
Philipp, I can't to get started with it.
Hi Chuck,
You shouldn't feel bad, you inspired me and I purchased that exact same scope (ES ED127mm CF) about 5 weeks ago from High Point. That added to my collection of an ED 80mm, and C9.25, and a 18" DOB. Watching your website and the quality of your Astrophoto's is the direct reason I purchased the ED 127. So you are a salesman for Explore Scientific!
Steve A. from NC
Thanks Steve, yeah - I've probably sold a few of them with all my videos, lol.
Hi Chuck. I bought this same scope six months ago and love it. I upgraded and replaced the factory focuser with a FeatherTouch three inch rack/pinion focuser and use the rig every chance I get.
Awesome, glad to hear it!
Inspired by your images, I bought my CF FCD100 127mm a year ago and other than a bit of pinched optics (easily addressed by loosening some shipping screws), have had nothing but joy. I’ve been very happy with ES and their support. They’re smart to pay attention to you!
Thanks Dave, thanks for the warning about pinched optics, I'll be on the lookout for that.
Good luck with the new scope Chuck! We can tell you are really are excited! Looking forward to seeing some images
Thanks Don!
Congratulations on the Up Grade Scope. You will like it! I have this scope and think it is fantastic, the lighter weight and thermal properties are big pluses. All my Explorer Scientific’s are now Carbon Fibre! I know your photos will be outstanding as usual. Now just need clear skies.
Thanks! All of your Explorer Scientific scopes? Sounds like you have a nice collection.
Chuck's Astrophotography Never enough..LOL
Hi Chuck, thanks for sharing with us your new toy, and your outtakes!
Only looking at the glass is a common mistake. You still need a well figured lens and more importantly a solid lens cell to keep everything in the right place no matter what the temperature is. Explore Scientific seem to be making some nice telescopes. I'm sure that we will find out soon what the differences are, enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing the results.
Thanks Neil, good points, it doesn't help that I already banged it on the table.
That’s a beautiful scope...and well made! I’ve had the 102 version for a couple years and it is still going strong! Congrats! 😀🔭
Glad to hear yours is still going strong :-)
You look happy with your new toy. Like a kid at christmass
Always happy when new astro equipment arrives :-)
Hey Chuck! My goodness they're huge those 127mm refractors! and what a beautiful piece of equipment!! With the improved Glass, you should be seeing some shockingly good data coming through! Cannot wait for when you start using it my friend! Thanks as always Chuck, take care!
Wes, Liverpool, England ( Bortle 8-9 )
Thanks Wes, I can't wait to get started.
Hello Chuck, I have the same scope and it is awesome. The Moonlite focuser will balance it out nicely when carrying it with the handle. If you ever get a chance, put an eyepiece in it and look at the quarter moon, best and sharpest view of the moon I have ever seen. Also CF seems a little easier on the hands in our freezing Michigan winters.
Thanks David, it's been so long since I've looked through a telescope, I should try that.
YES CHUCK!!!! You will LOVE it. I can't say enough about the scope, it kicks butt!
I just acquired a asi1600 mono and am working through several nights of imaging for my first set of projects. You are an inspiration.
Glad to hear it Wade, sounds like you have the same one. Good luck with your projects.
Congrats Chuck! Scott Roberts is the most generous vendor I’ve ever met. He is a great supporter of the astronomical community. Many years ago at the national convention(AlCon) in Bryce Canyon, I had the good fortune of winning the grand prize 127ED APO (same model you have). Scott’s company was a major sponsor, and he continues to support Astronomy events across the country. Good luck with the scope, and can’t wait to see your “first light” image.
Thanks Dennis, I agree, Scott is a great guy!
Chuck rocks !!! the best part of the video is the outtakes :)
Thanks Jeffin Joe!
Beautiful scope Chuck, I know it will get you many more APODs. The scope is only half the equation, your talent is the other. Clear skies!
Thanks LCO, I appreciate that!
New gear is always exciting 😃
Yes it is :-)
Mad congrats dude!!!! Very well deserved!
Thanks Mack! Rare seeing you on here ;-)
@@ChucksAstrophotography i dont comment much here but i do watch everyone of your videos within an hour of posting. Im a youtube addict... its bad
Looks great! Can't wait to see it in action
Thanks Eric!
Congrats on the new scope Chuck! Hope the new glass helps with the color... Always enjoy watching your videos!
Thanks Graham! 👍
Congratulations Chuck! On your new telescope excellent choice, I'm very happy with my Explore Scientific 127 ED well made, nice glass and the focus holds well, looking forward to your first image.
Tam, my old ED 127 served me well, so I know this scope will perform great :-)
I was that excited when I got my new sky-watcher evoguide 50ED :), You are operating at an entirely different level :) Awesome new scope .. enjoy!
Thanks, I appreciate that!
4:10 “I’m not a very technical person” lol! Says the guy with the absolute best images on TH-cam. Says the guy who sleeps while he automates. That was funny to me. You’re very humble. I hope you enjoy the new gear. Awesome sauce. I enjoy unboxing videos. Kids in candy shops. Clear skies.
lol, I appreciate that Garnett, thanks!
Welcome to the carbon fibre Explore Scientific family. I think that carbon is the coolets around and they make awesome products. Using my little one fore the sun and going to use it with my reducer on comets and ultra widefield (like smal portion of Bernards loop). My ED 80 CF becames 288mm and F/3,6 (astrograph realm) with my reducer and was a blast to use on the sun. Mybee moon also with 2,5 barlow record the moon. See the smile u like it. I am going to use mine alot more now besides my Edge HD 800 with Hyperstar on my CGX mount. Clear Skies. Keep Exploring.
Thanks Andreas! You've got a nice collection of equipment.
@@ChucksAstrophotography Yes i sure do. Beautiful Eqipment. 😀
Congrats on the scope Chuck. Looking forward to seeing it in action.
Thanks Callum! 👍
Congratulations! Keep the gear reviews coming; I can never get enough time in worrying about my shopping list in this hobby! Lol!
I wish you nothing but the best with this scope. Keep us updated on the comparison, especially in regard to temperature. CF tubes tend to cool slower than aluminum, but you might be up north enough in MI that it doesn't affect much, even heading into summer.
Thanks Rob. Thanks for the info, I didn't know that about CF tubes, but since this will be an outdoor scope 24 hours a day, it shouldn't be a problem.
Beautiful scope Chuck. I have been planning this exact model for my next purchase Looking forward to seeing yours in action.
Great, hope you get one soon, I can't wait to get started.
So cool, like your new scope and the outtakes FIVE Stars
Thank you!
Congrats on the new scope, Chuck! Cant wait to see it in action!
I have two of these same Hexafoc focusers. They are very good focusers, but pay attention to the rotation function. If you are tightening the rotation lock screw it will do bad marks in the rotation groove and will not move smoothly anymore. I usually tighten the three rotator adjust screws slightly and make the focuser fixed when I do astrophotography.
Thanks for the tip, but I will be adding a MoonLite focuser to it, and the rotation will be handled from there.
I've always loved your videos, but I especially love the outtakes you do. Absolutley increadable
Thanks Stewie, I'm here to entertain ;-)
@@ChucksAstrophotography hahaha. And entertain you. And you do it very well lol. Keep up the good work
Such a beautiful scope! Looking forward to the images you capture!
Thanks Ben, with my light pollution, I hope I can do it justice.
Hey Scott, if you're listening, I'd be happy to do an even trade on my ED127 for a carbon fiber FDC100 127 any day... of course I don't have 16k followers or any APOD's. Wink, wink, nod, nod.
Just kidding, congrats on the new scope Chuck. Nobody deserves it more than you. Explore Scientific rocks!
lol, thanks Greg, I appreciate that. Yes indeed, Explore Scientific rocks!
Very Nice upgrade Chuck.Enjoy it!!!.
Thanks Luke
Christmas in May, Congrats! Waiting the results, as always great.
Right! Christmas came early :-)
Enjoy the new scope. Can't wait to see new photos from the scope.
Thanks
lcxt9!
Great as always Chuck!
Thanks James!
LOL. This scope has another Chuck APOD written all over it. If it's good enough for you, I'll seriously consider this one as my next scope. Clear skies Chuck and I hope the furnace keeps you warm.
Thanks AstroForum, that would be very cool to see you with the same scope.
My my Chuck. I'm a shade of carbon fibre in envy. What a gorgeous telescope. Can't wait to see your images through it!
lol, thanks AstroFarsography
, can't wait to get started.
Congratulations on the new scope! It's a step up Chuck!
Thanks Mike, yes it is.
Hahaha the outtakes was really good, Nice video Chuck!
Thanks Elon!
Love the wood paneling in your basement. It reminds me of 1974. :-)
lol, definitely goes back to the late 70's when we had it done.
Chuck whips out his knife and I suddenly no longer want to be alone in the dark with him....
LOL, be afraid!
Allen Mitchell ,😂😂😂😂😂
Congratulations, can't wait to see the pictures from your new toy.
Thanks EddWar!
I just got mine last week. Great scope. There was a problem with the first one I received, and ES rushed me a replacement. Can't say enough about their customer service.
Great, but what happened with the first one? Anything I should be concerned about?
@@ChucksAstrophotography Well, I had poorly shaped stars. It was almost like pinched optics. The ES guy mentioned something about screws being over tightened for shipping. Not really sure. They sent me a brand new one direct. Just got it today. Gonna test the new one tonight. When I packed up the old one for shipping, an O-ring from a field flattener fell out of the focuser tube. That might have been part of the problem, but not all.
If you like I can send you a image of focus on a star, If you want to see. But, I think you will know right away.
@@astrobob9432 Thanks for the heads up, I will be on the look out for that.
Fantastic! Congrats Chuck! Looks like an awesome scope just waiting for first light!
Thanks Shawn! Can't wait to get started with it.
Congrats om your new scope! The carbon fiber looks stunning
Thanks Chris, can't wait to get started!
Best of luck with it Chuck! No idea how you are going to improve on your imaging but I can't wait to see if you do!
Thanks
dalilama2000, always room for improvement :-)
Congrats! Now our expectations are even higher 🙂
I'm doomed, lol. Thanks Dave!
Your outtakes are hilarious 😅
Glad you were entertained ;-)
Very cool, Chuck! I hope you have lots of fun and produce some amazing images with your new telescope! P.S. - Your outtakes always crack me up.
Thanks Kyle! Can't wait to get started.
Congratulations, Chuck! Awesome scope!
And with that carbon fiber tube you can forget about refocusing during the night when the temperature changes.
The CF has almost zero thermal expansion.
Thanks Denis, that's good to know - I wasn't aware of that about CF scopes.
@@ChucksAstrophotography I have 2 CF scopes and you still have to refocus throughout the night. Thank goodness for autofocus! :)
@@cvnguyen1 Thanks for the info Chris, holding focus better wasn't something I was considering as a benefit anyway since I have an auto-focuser.
I'm excited! It's a beautiful piece of equipment.
Thanks, I'm looking forward to using it, now I just need clear skies.
Chuck, you should have a permanent Christmas Tree up in the background, because every video you do is like Christmas :)
lol, that made me laugh Ice Man.
Great Chuck congratulations.
Thanks Marcelo!
Cool Chuck!
You had said the FCD100 was supposed to be better for blues. I bet you don't have the blues now! Image enough to know my 30 sec. shots I capture for side by side comparitive observation with two scopes get trails through them wondering how you avoid 'all' on your projects. Rock on-
You get trails? Are you autoguding?
Never guided. My mount does a great job staying put in 30 sec.
But I get satellites and other man made goodies in that time, maybe 4 out of 5 shots. I zoom around on the DSLRs screen to cut out the light trails if I can. How do you make hours of data come together perfectly?
I used to have the 102 FCD100, it had really good glass. Enjoy Chuck!
Thanks Tom!
Very nice. Congrats. As always, love the outtakes
Thanks Mike
New subcriber here ,,,,"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"
Thanks, I agree!
The carbon fiber sure looks good. Have fun😊
Thanks
Remco!
Nice Video! The telescope looks good, looking forward to see your results and if you will see any difference in image quality. Wanted to ask what you will do with the old one, but you told us it was an exchange. Do you think it is worth it? I guess you spent a lot of time working with the old one, maybe you could have sold it to fans and get a better price than the new one :) By the way have you decided on doing some wild fild astrophotography also? like landscape and Milky Way Astrophotography?
Thanks! That's interesting, so you think fans would have driven up the price of my old one? lol. I've thought about Milky Way Astrophotography and I have a DSLR that I think would do nicely with it, my plate plate is still full at the moment, but it's on my list.
@@ChucksAstrophotography Well i think you could try this with the fans, and see how it will go. I would like to try also, but i am new on TH-cam, and my channel needs to grow first.
6:50 "I can't believe the furnace just came on"
No brother, that sound you just heard is your wife storming downstairs to kill you for having spent so much money on just 5 inches of aperture.
6:52 the look on your face is priceless.
lol, I kind of froze for a moment to see if that was really the furnace.
Explore Scientific, like many companies, understand that giving gear to some TH-camrs can be considered as a good marketing investment :-)
It certainly doesn't hurt :-)
@@ChucksAstrophotography Well, yes and no. But I'm happy for you and your work is outstanding.
Must admit, a little saddened. Having an older 127ED myself Chuck was setting the bar for me, and it’s what got me to subscribe long ago. Alas, life moves forward
Thanks
ahok. Such is life, lol.
Such a nice guy and well deserved!
That is a thing of beauty
Yes it is :-)
Great stuff Chuck. You'll love this scope. I have the ED102 and the ED152 both carbon fiber and love them both. The carbon fiber is great in that my focus rarely changes throughout the night with temperature changes. The lighter weight is great too. :)
Glad to hear that, Robert, I will save time by not having to re-focus often then.
Hi Chuck, that is a beautiful scope. I have the FCD-1 version for a couple of years now and just love it. It takes awesome astro images.
One accessories that I would strongly recommend is the ES 0.7x 3" FR/FF if you don't already have one.
Thank you for the video :)
I know what you mean, the FCD-1 served me very well too. Looking forward to trying the new scope. Thanks for the tip on the reducer, for now I want to keep the full focal length and just use a flattener.
Congrats on your new scope, Chuck ! I had this scope (aluminum version), it's amazing. Make sure to use their 0.7x reducer !
Thanks Nadir, during galaxy season, I'm going with the full focal length :-)
lol don't worry Chuck, your out takes are like my 'intakes' :D Congrats on the scope! it looks an absolute beaut, love the shiney CF tube :)
lol, thanks
DIY Astronomy!
besides the obvious product promo would be great to see a star test, Ronchi test etc.
Congratulations, Chuck, for the awesome new scope! Will be exciting to get it out the first time! Just curious if you’re waiting on a moonlite adapter for the new scope. It was a fun video watching you unbox the beautiful new equipment. Enjoy!
Thanks John. Right, I'm waiting on a new flange from MoonLite which should arrive any day.
I also got my new scope today. But it is a little bit bigger. It as a 152 mm Triplet APO :D ^^. Have fun with your new toys and share your results with us, which I am sure you will do ;)
Wow, that's huge - congrats on your new scope!
Looks like a beauty Chuck! Looking forward to see the performance. - Cheers Kurt
Thanks Kurt!
Congrats Chuck. Hilarious outtakes as always!!
😂
Thanks Osama, glad you enjoyed the vid!
OK Chuck few things. I want to know cooldown time differences with the carbon fiber tube as well as any sag issues that may happen. Not that it will but it has been said these issues are 2 of the main ones the carbon fiber tubes face. Since I am looking to add a refactor to the kit because I refuse to do mono the way you do on the rasa on my sct. "still a noob an super paranoid about messing with filters too much"
Sorry, I thought I replied to this a long time ago. But this is going to be an outdoor scope 24 hours a day, so cooldown will be a non-issue. I'll be on the lookout of sag, but that is a common problem I've had when pointing very low to the horizon.
Awesome Chuck!! I’m so jealous! That exact scope is a dream. Maybe one day! Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Thanks Slymin, I better get it on the mount soon, I keep banging it on the table.
Chuck's Astrophotography That dew shield is so gorgeous! I feel as excited as you. I can’t believe I spend $4000/semester on graduate school. The gear I could have! Grrr! Hahahaha
Mount it up! I look forward to seeing your images in a few weeks when the cloud God’s anger ceases. :)
@@AstroBlender lol, but congrats on making it so far in higher education. I stopped after my Bachelor's Degree.
Chuck's Astrophotography Hey if it works it works.
Nice. Ill trade you our heat for your rain! Lol. Nice scope. I'm getting old and broken but hope to someday be able to afford a rig similar to what you have. I could sell my old Harley and buy it but then i would be walking everywhere and with my health that's a no go. But i have faith. Meanwhile i watch and I learn. Thank you!
I got the ED127 earlier this year when it was on sale. Not carbon fiber, though. Looking forward to watching your channel.
Sweet! Waiting for my new WO Z103 to arrive and I think I can feel what you're feeling right now, haha... Enjoy the hell out of your new scope!
Thanks, and congrats on your new scope!
Wow! That's my dream 'scope! Can't wait to see your photos, Chuck! Can anyone tell me what the difference is between Explore Scientific's "Essential Series" and their other triplet APO's? I couldn't find any explanation on their website.
Thanks Sue, maybe Scott Roberts or someone knowledgeable will be able to answer this.
Nice one Chuck. Looking forward to seeing what you capture with it soon!
Thanks Daniel, I hope I can do the scope justice
"I'm in the middle of a Galaxy" - I presume you mean our Milky Way Galaxy, or you are from some other Galaxy?? Haha, well good onya with your new scope! Looks very nice and a 5" refractor, fiber glass, yumm!
lol, galaxy season means the Milky Way is out of view and we now have a view of other galaxies in the night sky. Galaxy Season is a common term in this hobby. Thanks!
Sweet new scope Chuck, looking forward to see what you can do with it man
Thanks Scott!
Really looking forward to seeing what this can do. Congratulations on your upgrade! Since you mention the focuser, I’m looking to install an automatic focuser on my ES 102mm (also FCD 100, but no carbon fibre for me!). Will you replace the whole focuser with a Moonlite one, or is there a bracket + motor + adapter that interfaces with your existing focuser? I was considering the ZWO EAF, but if you use the Moonlite, that’s worth some consideration. Thanks Chuck!
Thanks Chris. I'm taking the MoonLite focuser off of my old ED127 to use on this one (I'll need a new flange to make it fit thought), so I'm replacing the whole focuser. I've never tried the ZWO EAF yet.
@@ChucksAstrophotography Thank you for the helpful reply, Chuck. By the way, I was processing my own data of the Elephant Trunk Nebula this evening using the 2019 Aug 16 APOD image as a helpful guide. Then I watched this video of yours and realised that the APOD image was actually one of yours! Spectacular!
Very fun! Is there one or two main points why you like a nice quality refractor versus maybe an imaging newt or an SCT?
Mostly it's collimation that scares me off from Newts, but an SCT like the Edge is a fine scope.
I have trouble with those green stars too ;) Congrats on the new scope, looks like a beaut!
Thanks!
I did buy the same telescope but it did have some issues, so i send it back and i am waiting on a new one from them, hopefully that wil be a good one with no quality issues
I do love your out teaks 😂😂😂 keep them coming
No prob, glad you were entertained!
Congrats on the new scope! It's going to be a nice upgrade. I have a question for you. In a video I saw from a few months ago you mentioned you used a USB cable running out your milk door out to your scopes. How long is the wire? I got a 45 or 50 foot wire and it is a bit too long and drops everything randomly. So I guess there's too much resistance. So I thought I'd ask you since that doesnt seem to happen to your systems. Thanks!
Awesome scope Chuck! Good luck with it :)
Thanks Helena!