Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our products and services. If you have a different question than the ones listed below, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Accessories | BRESSER Products | Eyepieces | Telescopes | Service |
Availability | Other
Q: What is the weight of the 8x50 Erect-Image Viewfinder with Illuminated Reticle?
A: 1.5 lbs.
Q: Do you sell the 8x50 Erect-Image Viewfinder with Reticle as a separately accessory?
A: Yes, we will sell the 8x50 Erect-Image Viewfinder with Reticle separately for a retail price of $149.00.
Q: What is the country of manufacturer of the BRESSER line?
A: Our BRESSER line is designed in Europe.
Q: Is the 100° Series Waterproof™ Nitrogen-Purged Eyepiece 14mm available for purchase in a 2-inch barrel?
A: Yes and it has a 14.5mm eye relief.
Q: What is the weight of the 82° Series 30mm?
A: 3.25 lbs.
Q: Do you have any reviews comparing 100° Series Waterproof™ Nitrogen-Purged Eyepiece 14mm? Particularly about the star quality in an F4.5 reflector? Also, will there be an undercut, so you don't accidentally drop the eyepiece while removing it from the focuser.
A: The new 14mm 100° Series Nitrogen-Purged Waterproof™ Eyepiece does not have the "undercut" barrel design. Instead the barrel design is tapered so that the eyepiece can be smoothly removed and inserted into the eyepiece holder, and will securely hold in position when locked in.
As far as optical quality goes, users will be pleased with the pinpoint images right to the edges of the field. Explore Scientific stands behind the optical quality and we invite direct comparison with other brand eyepieces of similar type. We think you will agree that the contrast, sharpness, and transmission characteristics are every bit what one would expect from the very finest eyepieces obtainable. We invite direct comparison, and we are certain that there will be product reviews forthcoming.
Q: What other sizes of the 100° eyepiece series do you have planned and when will that be announced?
A: We are developing other focal lengths in the 100° Series and will field test them before we make them available to the public.
Q: On the 14mm 100° Series Nitrogen-Purged Waterproof™ Eyepiece with the eye cup down, what is the length of the EP, and widest width?
A: With the eye cup down the length is 6.25 inches and the widest width is 2.71 inches.
Q: What is the field stop diameter of your 100° eyepieces?
A: The virtual field stop diameter of the 100° 14mm eyepiece is 24.43mm.
Q: Does your 82° eyepieces barlow well?
A: Yes, our 82° eyepieces do barlow well.
Q: Is oil normal for the 82° eyepiece barrels?
A: It can sometimes occur on the 82 Degree Series eyepieces due to the lubrication used for movement of the twist up eyepiece cup. It can be wiped off easily with a soft, lint free cloth.
Q: What is the weight of the 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: Shipping weight is 55 lbs (packing included). The weight of the telescope is 19 lbs with the cradle, dewshield attached. It is 22 lbs with the focuser, viewfinder, cradle attached.
Q: What is the weight of the 80mm f/6 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: The weight of the telescope is 6 1/2 lbs with the cradle, dewshield attached. It is 8 1/2 lbs with the focuser, viewfinder and cradle attached.
Q: What is the weight of the The David H. Levy Comet Hunter™ Special Edition Telescope?
A: The weight of the telescope is 15.4 lbs; 7 kgs with the cradle, dewshield attached. It is 18 lbs with the viewfinder and cradle attached. The shipping weight is 54 lbs; 24.5 kg. The shipping Carton Dimensions are 95 x 40 x 49 cm; 37.5" x 19.5" x 16."
Q: What is the weight of the 102mm f/7 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: The weight is 11.25 lbs with the dewshield and cradle attached. It is 13.25 lbs with the focuser, cradle and dewshield and viewfinder attached.
Q: What are the weights of the 127mm f/6.5 and 152mm f/6.5 Doublet Achromatic Refractor Telescopes?
A: The shipping weights for the Doublet Achromatic Refractor Telescopes: 127mm f/6.5 is 40lbs and 152mm f/6.5 is 55lbs.
Q: What are the dimensions for the cases for the 127mm f/6.5 and 152mm f/6.5 Doublet Achromatic Refractor Telescopes?
A: The case dimensions for the 127mm f/6.5 Doublet is 35 inches (L), 13 inches (D), 10 inches (W). The case dimensions for the 152mm f/6.5 Doublet is 40.5 inches (L), 14 inches (D), 12 inches (W).
Q: Does the 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor optical tube contain any plastic parts? Does the optical tube come with rings and a mounting plate?
A: The 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor has no plastic parts on the tube assembly. They come with rings and a Vixen-style dove mounting plate.
Q: Does the 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor have a compression-ring visual back, or does it use the traditional type with set screws?
A: The 127mm has a compression ring visual back.
Q: On the 80mm f/6 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor Will you offer a focal reducer / field flatner and does the scope have baffles?
A: We are considering a reducer/flattener and yes this telescope has baffles.
Q: Do you have a list of recommended mounts (equatorial rather than alt-az) for the 127mm f/7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: We recommend the following mounts for use with the 127mm: one of the Explore Scientific Mounts (when available) or the Orion Atlas EQ-G, Meade LXD75 – maybe a bit light for imaging Orion Sirius EQ-G, Orion SkyView Pro – maybe a bit light imaging Losmandy - GM-8 or 11 Equatorial Mount Vixen Great Polaris (GP2) Mount or Great Polaris Deluxe (GPD2).
Q: Do you have any reviews of the 102mm f/7 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: Yes
Q: In reference to the 127 f7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor. How does the HOYA ED glass compare with the FPL-53 glass?
A: Ohara FPL53 is a very low dispersion glass (with a refractive index value of 95 which is close to fluorite). The Hoya FCD1 ED Glass (used by Explore Scientific) is also a premium low dispersion glass (with a value that is more like the equivalent to Ohara FPL51, or Schott N-PK52 with a refractive index of about 81).
So if you just compare the refractive index numbers between the two, you may at first glance choose FPL53, but there's more.
If someone is comparing these glass types with ED refractors, they also need to compare how many elements are in the set. If a designer is using Ohara FPL53 in an ED doublet, even though it has a much higher refractive index number, it may not perform any better than Hoya FCD1 in an air-spaced triplet design such as ours. So the person trying to weigh the differences needs to look at price, and hopefully get a chance to look through them to really see the visual performance. We always encourage people to look through our optics and directly compare them with other products.
Q: What size of a white light solar filter can be used with the 127 f7.5 Air-Spaced Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor?
A: A slide-on solar filter could either be attached to the end of the dew shield (which has a diameter of 156.5mm), or the dew shield could be removed and you could slide on a solar filter over the front lens cell (which is 147.2mm in diameter).
Q: What is the warranty on your products?
A: Limited Warranty is one year in the USA and its territories, extended to 5 years when product is registered. Product registration must be completed within 60 days of purchase. Limited Warranty is transferable from original owner (Original owner may include person receiving brand new product as a gift).
Q: What if I buy an Explore Scientific product and resided outside of the USA, will Explore Scientific honor the warranty?
A: Yes, we will honor the warranty. Customers living outside of the USA, who have purchased an Explore Scientific product, your warranty is valid within the USA. Customers must agree to the following shipping guideline to obtain a RMA number for product warranty. Customers returning a product from outside the USA for warranty repair/maintenance are responsible for shipping fees (customs, fees, duties, etc) to and from our facility.
Q: How do I contact Explore Scientific for Customer Services issues or warranty issues or any other concern?
A: Customer Service can be contacted between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
Q: Where can I purchase Explore Scientific Products?
A: You can purchase our products from our store or from one of our dealers. The dealers can be found from the menu at the top of this page, just click on "Dealers".
Q: When do you expect your products to be available?
A: Most of the Explore Scientific products and many of our BRESSER line of products are available now for purchase. We expect our other products (such as recently announced products) to be available for shipping (with pre-orders shipping first) very soon.
Q: Are your products available for sale worldwide?
A: Please click on the "Dealers" section in the menu at the top of this page for a list of dealers and a link to their website. You will need to check with each dealer where they are able to ship our products. This list may vary from dealer to dealer, so we recommend you check all dealers. Unfortunately, not all of our products may not be available for purchase worldwide at this time.
Q: What is the country of manufacturer of the Apochromatic Refractors?
A: China.
Q: Do you have a mailing list for product updates and events?
A: Yes. Please see the "Sign up for our Newsletter" sign up box located on the top of the left column.
Q: How do you inspect for quality with Explore Scientific products?
A: Initially each telescope is tested with an interferometer in double pass against a 1/20th wave flat to perform at least 1/4 wave RMS. Then we inspect using an artificial star in double pass using traditional inside and outside focus star tests and ronchi tests. There are mechanical and cosmetic inspections as well. We have a free 5 year warranty. Five years upon free registration of their product.
Q: Do you have a blog that I can subscribe to?
A: Yes, we have a blog.
Q: Can I download product manuals from your website?
A: Some manuals for our Explore Scientific products can viewed or downloaded by going to the product manual page. Other manuals that are not currently available, will be added.