The Explore Scientific AR Series telescopes are classic air-spaced, crown-and-flint, doublet achromatic f/6.5 refractors with a superior-class optical figure. 

Designed to handle the rigors of public star parties and educational outreach, the Explore Scientific AR Series telescopes come with heavy-duty, high quality components, including a 2" dual-speed Crayford-style focuser, a one-piece 2" diagonal with 99% dielectric coatings, an 8 X 50 non-illuminated straight -thru finderscope and quick release bracket, and a cradle ring assembly with Vixen-style dovetail mount. Just add a few eyepieces and the alt-azimuth or equatorial mount of your choice and you'll be ready to discover the Universe!

The AR102 102mm Achromatic Refractor Telescope from Explore Scientific features a doublet achromatic lens system which virtually eliminates chromatic and spherical aberrations. This translates to a distortion-free viewing experience with true color rendition across the entire field of view.

The scope uses a heavy-duty 2" Crayford-style focuser. Unlike a traditional rack-and-pinion focuser, a Crayford-style uses a steel rod held tightly against the focus tube. This toothless friction system eliminates backlash and enables ultra-fine precision focusing. The combination of aberration-free optics, precision focusing and a fast f/6.5 focal ratio make this telescope ideally suited for wide-field astrophotography and astroimaging.

A mounting cradle-ring clamps over optical tube assembly (OTA). This lets the user adjust the orientation and position of the scope relative to the mount to optimize viewing comfort and balancing, while avoiding interference with other equipment. The scope is offered without a mount or tripod, but a Vixen-style dovetail plate makes it compatible with any alt-az or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle.

Assembling the Explore Scientific AR102 teleescope

Introducing iOptron’s new compact next-generation center-balance equatorial mounts the CEM26!

iOptron CEM26 quiet slewing at MAX speed of 6º/sec:

Like their predecessors, the CEM26 is designed with portability in mind, weighing in at only 10 lbs it can support up to a 26lb payload an incredible 2.6 mount weight to payload ratio. The key to enable such ratios is the CEM design focuses the mount and payload weight directly on the center of the tripod rendering “natural stability”.

Building on the legacy of earlier CEM models we have added features for convenience and functionality. A positive lock gear engagement system (easy to use even when wearing gloves), Built-in Wi-Fi enabling unparallel connectivity and recordable permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) to repeat optimal PEC training sessions. Regarding functionality the CEM26 delivers precise pointing and accurate tracking. The CEM26 sets the new standard for compact equatorial mounts.

The center-balanced design mount puts the weight of the payload at the center of gravity allowing for greater natural stability. Other features include an adjustable counterweight bar to prevent obstruction with the tripod. And polar aligning is quick and accessible all the time since the polar scope is not blocked by the declination shaft.

The CEM26 is equipped with the latest advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO technology, making it one of the most powerful and accurate GOTO mounts available. Its database includes over 212,000+ objects. The Go2Nova® Hand Controller is intuitive to use and its large 4-line LCD screen simplifies the process of setting telescopes and locating objects.

The CEM26 mount either has an AccuAlign^TM optical polar scope or an integrated electronic polar finder scope known as the iPolar (depending on option). iPolar ensures the accurate alignment of a telescope, even when the pole star is obscured.  

iOptron iPolar^TM - the smart electronic polarscope for everyone (Optional)

• Fast and easy to use
• High precision (30 arcsec)
• No need to see the Pole Star
• No need to rotate the mount during alignment
• Unique imaging enhancement technique
• Smart plate solving
• On screen instruction during alignment
• Capable under poor sky visibility condition

Shows polar alignment without seeing Polaris using iOptron iPolar:

The ES AR102 is a good telescope for astrophotography: 

The Newtonian Telescope is ready for astrophotography with many good features for beautiful astrophotos.

• 2" Dual-speed Crayford focuser with precise movement also suitable for heavy cameras
• Combination of aberration-free optics, precision focusing and a fast f/6.5 focal ratio 
• Suitable for both planetary (including Solar) and Deep Sky Objects

Actual astrophotos taken from the ES AR102:

Credit: Astrobin

Other included accessories:

One 25mm (1.25") eyepiece, 2" diagonal with 99% dielectric coatings, 8 X 50 non-illuminated straight -thru finderscope and quick release bracket, and a cradle ring assembly with Vixen-style dovetail mount. Can be expanded by adding more accessories (eyepieces, filters, barlows, astrophotography adapters, etc.). Can be expanded by adding more accessories (eyepieces, filters, barlows, astrophotography adapters, extension tubes, etc.)

Explore Scientific AR102 OTA SPECIFICATIONS

CEM26 MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS

* OTA size and length dependent
** Measured with encoder, 10 minutes

Manual:
Quick Start Guide
Instruction Manual

Firmware:
Download Latest Firmware

iOptron Telescope ASCOM Driver:
Install ASCOM Driver and Commander