telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 vs William Optics GT 102
Explore Scientific
ED152 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
William Optics
GT 102
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+62% focal length
+49% aperture
Slower by 0.6 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 | William Optics GT 102 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet FCD-100 | Apo triplet FPL-53 |
| Aperture | 152mm | 102mm |
| Focal length | 1140mm | 703mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/6.9 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.0kg | 5.6kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Tighter framing — 1140mm vs 703mm focal length
- 49% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of William Optics GT 102
- Wider field — 703mm vs 1140mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/6.9 vs f/7.5
- Lighter (5.6kg 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 — William Optics GT 102
- 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
William Optics GT 102 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.93° × 1.96°Scale: 1.10"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.92° × 1.28°Scale: 1.10"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.92° × 0.92°Scale: 1.10"/px
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
William Optics GT 102 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.