Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Triplet Refractor with 0.8x Focal Reducer

Wide-Field Astrophotography and Grab-and-Go Observing in One Compact Package

The Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet has long been a favorite entry point into true apochromatic performance. Now, bundled with the 0.8x Focal Reducer/Field Flattener, this telescope becomes a versatile 5-element wide-field astro-imaging system that balances portability, optical quality, and imaging speed.

Whether you’re hunting down the wispy arms of the Andromeda Galaxy, capturing the glowing knots of the Cygnus Loop, or simply sweeping the Milky Way, the ED80 offers a rare combination of grab-and-go convenience and diffraction-limited optics. Add the included 2" diagonal, and it instantly transforms back into a beautiful visual instrument.

Optical Performance: HOYA FCD1 Glass & True APO Correction

At the heart of the ED80 is a triplet air-spaced lens design using premium HOYA FCD1 ED glass. Explore Scientific’s EMD enhanced multi-layer coatings are applied to every optical surface to maximize transmission and contrast. The result? Brilliant, high-contrast images with virtually no chromatic aberration, even on bright stars and planets.

• 80mm aperture gathers significantly more light than small-aperture astrographs:

  • 1.3× more than a 70mm

  • 1.8× more than a 60mm

  • 2.6× more than a 50mm

• 480mm focal length at f/6 for sharp detail

• 384mm focal length at f/4.8 with 0.8x reducer for fast, wide-field imaging

This makes the ED80 a telescope that punches far above its size for both visual and imaging use.

The 0.8x Focal Reducer/Field Flattener

The included 0.8x Focal Reducer converts the ED80 from a balanced f/6 refractor into a faster f/4.8 astrograph, perfect for large nebulae, star fields, and extended galaxies.

• Expands the field of view while reducing exposure times

• Flattens the imaging field for crisp stars across the frame

• Simple connection with standard 42mm T-thread (55mm back focus)

• Rugged, multi-coated 2-element design

This isn’t just an add-on—it turns the ED80 into a serious astrophotography platform, competing with smaller astrographs while offering superior light-gathering power.

Mechanical Design: Built for Reliability

Explore Scientific designed the ED80 with durability and flexibility in mind:

• 2.5" hexagonal rack-and-pinion focuser – handles up to 10 lbs of cameras and accessories

• Two focuser extension tubes included for precise back focus control

• 99% reflective 2" diagonal for visual observing

• Hybrid Finder Scope Base pre-installed (finder not included)

• Built-in dew shield and dust cap protect your optics on humid nights

With a tube diameter of just 91mm, the ED80 is compact enough to travel easily or even ride piggyback on a larger imaging system.

Cloudy Nights Community Insights

On Cloudy Nights, the ED80 Essential Series has become something of a rite of passage for astrophotographers:

• Imagers praise its color correction and sharp star fields, especially with the reducer.

• Many describe it as the “sweet spot” between performance and portability, making it a perfect starter APO.

• Compared to budget doublets, users note the ED80’s triplet optics deliver far more consistent results in both visual and imaging applications.

• Owners regularly share wide-field images of nebulae, clusters, and galaxies that show what this small APO is capable of when properly mounted and guided.

The consensus is clear: the ED80 may be small, but it has earned a big reputation as one of the best entry-level imaging refractors on the market.

What’s Included

• Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor OTA

• Explore Scientific 0.8x Focal Reducer with end caps and T-thread adapter

• 99% reflective 2-inch diagonal

• 2.5" hex focuser with two extension tubes

• Hybrid Finder Scope Base (finder not included)

• Built-in dew shield and dust cover/lens cap

Observing Tip

The ED80’s wide field makes it ideal for framing large deep-sky objects like the North America Nebula, the Rosette Nebula, or the entire Double Cluster in Perseus. With the reducer, it becomes even better suited for capturing extended nebulae that overwhelm narrower-field telescopes. Visually, pair it with a 24–30mm wide-field eyepiece, and you’ll have a breathtaking “space binocular” effect under dark skies.

Final Thoughts

Compact, well-corrected, and flexible, the Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series with 0.8x reducer is one of the best ways to step into astrophotography without compromise. It’s a telescope that delivers premium APO performance at a size and price that keeps the night sky within easy reach.