Telescope Reviews: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo

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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo
#5660476 - 02/03/13 05:57 PM

i remember seeing the sky and telescope video about
it on youtube and saying whoo at the right price that
will be a real challenge to the big apo makers.

in europe their is the TS 150 Apo thats looks a
great scope too but not many have bought it their
just one guy with nice pics its around 5800 dollers
but when you have that money are you going to buy
that scope.

one use FPL-53 the other hoya FCD1 which is just
like FPL-51 it seems many americans tend to buy
brand names even if it means getting a smaller
apo and europeans go for best glass type then brand.

Post Extras:

Mike Wiles
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: kepler22]
#5660520 - 02/03/13 06:21 PM

The ED152CF is alive and well and just beginning to show up in stores. I know that Woodland Hills Camera has them in stock and I've heard it said that Astronomics has them in stock as well. I have one that I haven't been able to really work with a whole lot due to time and weather.

It's a very nice telescope. I hope to post first light images soon.

Mike

Post Extras:

kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Mike Wiles]
#5660528 - 02/03/13 06:25 PM

mike can you please post some images of the scope
or a video of it have you got a youtube account.

Post Extras:

Mike Wiles
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: kepler22]
#5660799 - 02/03/13 09:59 PM Attachment (265 downloads)

I do have a couple of photos.....

Post Extras:

Mike Wiles
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Mike Wiles]
#5660804 - 02/03/13 10:01 PM Attachment (268 downloads)

Here's another standing away from the scope......with 4.5 pounds of camera gear attached on my AP900. Note that there's only a single 18 pound counterweight. While the scope is physically really large...it's lighter than it looks. I weighed it as shown here and it tipped the scales at 29.2 pounds. So with a diagonal and finderscope as it's shipped - the published 27 pound weight is accurate.

Post Extras:

kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Mike Wiles]
#5661134 - 02/04/13 04:42 AM

that touched the spot thank you hahaha

Post Extras:

orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: kepler22]
#5661484 - 02/04/13 10:41 AM

hm. this means a Mach1 can carry it for imaging?

Post Extras:

Mike Wiles
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: orlyandico]
#5661648 - 02/04/13 12:18 PM

Quote:

hm. this means a Mach1 can carry it for imaging?

Technically, it probably can. The telescope is physically quite large, something the Mach 1 might find difficult if a breeze is stirring.

Post Extras:

okieav8r
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/09

Loc: Oklahoma!

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Mike Wiles]
#5661674 - 02/04/13 12:31 PM

I believe that one of the ES 152mm telescopes was a door prize at Astronomics grand opening last fall. I sure would like to have scored that puppy!

Post Extras:

Don Taylor
sage

Reged: 07/12/09

Loc: Kansas

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: okieav8r]
#5662451 - 02/04/13 08:33 PM

There was one in their showroom mid December. It seemed to be slightly different than the prototype I looked through at Okie-tex 2011

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Don Taylor]
#5662616 - 02/04/13 10:24 PM

Gotta' love the carbon fibre!

David

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Ennis
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: The Outer Limits

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#5662697 - 02/04/13 11:29 PM

Quote:

Gotta' love the carbon fibre!

But how durable is the carbon fiber? How will it look in ten years? Numerous scratches, maybe? Personally, I'll stick with powder-coated aluminum, which has a good track record for durability.

Post Extras:

dr.who
sage

Reged: 01/05/12

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Ennis]
#5662751 - 02/05/13 12:23 AM

Ah! YOU'RE the one, Mike! I have heard about you from Kevin! You lucky lucky guy! It's a lovely bit of kit but it is HUGE isn't it? Look forward to your first light then me scrounging up the $6k to buy one...

Post Extras:

Alan S
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/27/07

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Mike Wiles]
#5664324 - 02/05/13 09:11 PM

What is the height of the pier...or, more to the point, is it mounted in the shallow or deep end of the pool

Nice looking scope Mike!

Post Extras:

Mike Wiles
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new

[Re: Alan S]
#5664426 - 02/05/13 10:20 PM

Quote:

What is the height of the pier...or, more to the point, is it mounted in the shallow or deep end of the pool

Nice looking scope Mike!

The pier is 48".....but I'd probably find it easier to use if I mounted it in the shallow end of the pool. Just like with people....it looks taller when I'm standing next to it.

Post Extras:

Wilsonman
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/30/07

Loc: S.E. PA

Re: What happened to the Explore Scientific 152mm Apo new