Compact yet powerful, the Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor brings true apochromatic precision to your stargazing adventures. With an 80 mm aperture and premium HOYA FCD1 ED glass, this compact 480 mm f/6 telescope delivers diffraction-limited, high-contrast visuals—perfect for crisp lunar close-ups, Saturn’s rings, and stunning Messier deep-sky objects. Portable enough for spontaneous night hikes, yet optically refined for imaging when paired to a larger instrument.
Whether you're a beginner stepping up from entry-level refractors or an astrophotographer seeking a guide scope, the ED80 offers unmatched optical clarity and versatility in a sleek, grab-and-go package.
CA Residents: Prop 65 WARNING(S)
⭐ Features & Benefits
- True Apochromatic Optics – Air-spaced triplet design virtually eliminates chromatic aberration for pure, color-free viewing
- Premium HOYA FCD1 ED Glass – High contrast and resolution across the frame
- Diffraction-Limited Performance – Delivers crisp detail down to 1.45″ resolution
- EMD Multi-Layer Coatings – Increases transmission and reduces reflections on all optical surfaces
- 480 mm f/6 Optical System – Ideal for wide-field views and high-power planetary detail
- Lightweight & Portable – Just 2.7 kg (5.95 lb); 475 mm tube with dew shield
- 2″ Rack-and-Pinion Focuser – Precise focusing supported by two extension tubes
- Vixen-Style Dovetail & Hybrid Finder Base – Secure mounting and accessory flexibility
🌟 Who It’s For
- Beginners ready to upgrade from 70 mm refractors—high performance with low weight
- Traveling skywatchers and spontaneous observers—pack and go design
- Astrophotographers needing a sharp guide scope for long exposures
- Experienced observers seeking high optical fidelity in a compact form
🎯 What You’ll Be Able to See
- Moon surface details: craters, ridges, and valleys
- Jupiter’s cloud belts and Galilean moons; Saturn’s rings and Titan
- Bright deep-sky objects: Orion and Lagoon Nebulae, Andromeda Galaxy
- Crisp splittings of double stars like Albireo and Double Double
🎒 What’s Included
- ED80 optical tube with integrated dew shield
- 2″ rack-and-pinion focuser with dual extension tubes
- 2″ dielectric star diagonal
- Vixen-style dovetail plate
- Hybrid finder-scope base (finder not included)
- Dust caps & documentation
Specs
| Item Number | ES-ED0806-02 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 480 mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/6 |
| Limiting Magnitude | 12 |
| Resolution | 1.45 arcseconds |
| Tube Length (w/ Dew Shield) | 18.5 in (475 mm) |
| Tube Length (w/o Dew Shield) | 15 in (381 mm) |
| Optical Tube Diameter | 85 mm |
| Weight | 5.95 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| Dovetail Plate | Vixen-style |
Warranty Information:
This product includes a Limited One-Year USA Warranty, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when registered within 60 days of purchase.
To activate your warranty, register your product at:
www.explorescientific.com/pages/product-registration