telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 vs Vixen SD115S
Explore Scientific
ED152 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Vixen
SD115S
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
+28% focal length
+32% aperture
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 | Vixen SD115S |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet FCD-100 | Apo doublet SD |
| Aperture | 152mm | 115mm |
| Focal length | 1140mm | 890mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/7.7 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.0kg | 4.8kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Tighter framing — 1140mm vs 890mm focal length
- 32% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Vixen SD115S
- Wider field — 890mm vs 1140mm focal length
- Lighter (4.8kg vs 12kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Explore Scientific ED152 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 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
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 ED152 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Vixen SD115S — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.