telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 vs Vixen SD115S
Explore Scientific
ED127 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Vixen
SD115S
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
+7% focal length
+10% aperture
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 | Vixen SD115S |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Apo doublet SD |
| Aperture | 127mm | 115mm |
| Focal length | 952mm | 890mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/7.7 |
| Image circle | 40mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 8.6kg | 4.8kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- 10% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of Vixen SD115S
- Lighter (4.8kg vs 8.6kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Vixen SD115S
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.17° × 1.44°Scale: 0.81"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.41° × 0.94°Scale: 0.81"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.68° × 0.68°Scale: 0.81"/px
Vixen SD115S — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.32° × 1.55°Scale: 0.87"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.51° × 1.01°Scale: 0.87"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.73° × 0.73°Scale: 0.87"/px
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Vixen SD115S — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.