telescopecomparison · 2-way
TEC APO180FL f/7 vs Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
TEC
APO180FL f/7
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific
ED152 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+11% focal length
+18% aperture
Faster by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | TEC APO180FL f/7 | Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet fluorite | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 180mm | 152mm |
| Focal length | 1260mm | 1140mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/7.5 |
| Image circle | — | 52mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | — | 12.0kg |
Advantages of TEC APO180FL f/7
- Tighter framing — 1260mm vs 1140mm focal length
- 18% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.5
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — TEC APO180FL f/7
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
Best for — Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
TEC APO180FL f/7 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.64° × 1.09°Scale: 0.62"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.07° × 0.71°Scale: 0.62"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.51° × 0.51°Scale: 0.62"/px
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.81° × 1.21°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 0.79°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.57° × 0.57°Scale: 0.68"/px
TEC APO180FL f/7 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
