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

Best for viewing	Brighter deep sky
Best for imaging	Planetary & brighter deep sky objects
User level	Beginner/Imtermediate
Optical design	Refractor
Optical diameter	102mm (4")
Focal length	663mm
Focal ratio	f/6.5
Optics type	Air-spaced, crown-and-flint, doublet achromatic
Eyepieces	25mm (1.25") eyepiece
Magnification with included eyepieces	27x (with provided eyepiece)
Resolving power	1.14arc*sec
Limiting stellar magnitude	12.5
Finder scope	8x50 with quick release bracket
Focuser	2" Dual-speed Precision Crayford
Optical Tube Length with Dew Shield	25.5 in. (698mm)
Weight, optical tube	10.4 lbs. (4.7kg)

 

CEM26 MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS

Mount	Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount
Payload *	26 lbs (12kg), exclude counterweight
Mount weight	10 lbs (4.5kg)
Payload/Mount weight	2.6
Structure Material	All metal, Casting + CNC machined
Exterior Finish	Powder coating
Periodic error (PE) **	<±10 arcsec
PEC	Yes, Permanent PEC
Worm period	600 sec
Right Ascension worm wheel	Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum
Declination worm wheel	Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum
Right Ascension axis shaft	Φ35mm steel
Declination axis shaft	Φ35mm steel
Right Ascension bearing	Φ55mm ball bearing
Declination bearing	Φ55mm ball bearing
Worm gears	Φ15.2mm, Brass
Motor drive	1.8º stepper motor, 128X microdivision
Resolution	0.17 arc seconds
Transmission	Synchronous belt
Latitude adjustment range	0º ~ 60º
Azimuth adjustment range	± 6º
Polar Scope	AccuAlignTM optical polar scope or iPolar (depends on option)
Level indicator	Level bubble
Hand Controller	Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
Tracking	Automatic
Slew speed	1×,2×,8×,16×,64×,128×,256×,512×,MAX(6º/sec)
Power consumption	0.5A(Tracking), 0.8A(GOTO)
Power requiremention	12V DC, 5A
AC adapter	100V ~ 240V (included)
Power-down memory	Yes
Wi-Fi	Built-in
Communication port	Yes (Wi-Fi and USB)
Autoguide port	Yes (ST-4 compatible)
Firmware upgrade	Yes
PC computer control	Yes (ASCOM)
Counterweight shaft	Φ20X306mm (M16), Stainless Steel
Counterweight	10 lbs (4.5kg)
Tripod	1.5" (5kg) or LiteRoc 1.75" (7.5kg) heavy duty stainless steel
Dovetail saddle	3.8" Vixen-style, center adjustable
GPS	Optional external 32-channel GPS
Autoguiding	Optional external iGuider 1
Operation temperature	-10ºC ~ 40ºC
Warranty	Two year limited

* 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