telescopecomparison · 2-way
Tele Vue NP127fli vs Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
Tele Vue
NP127fli
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific
ED102 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-8% focal length
+25% aperture
Faster by 1.8 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Tele Vue NP127fli | Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Nagler-Petzval | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 127mm | 102mm |
| Focal length | 660mm | 714mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.2 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 9.5kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Tele Vue NP127fli
- 25% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/5.2 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Lighter (5.5kg vs 9.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Tele Vue NP127fli
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Tele Vue NP127fli — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.13° × 2.08°Scale: 1.18"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.04° × 1.36°Scale: 1.18"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.98° × 0.98°Scale: 1.18"/px
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.89° × 1.93°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.89° × 1.26°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.91° × 0.91°Scale: 1.09"/px
Tele Vue NP127fli — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.