telescopecomparison · 2-way
Vixen SD103S vs Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
Vixen
SD103S
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Explore Scientific
ED102 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+11% focal length
Slower by 0.7 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Vixen SD103S | Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo doublet SD | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 103mm | 102mm |
| Focal length | 795mm | 714mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.7 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 4.0kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Vixen SD103S
- Tighter framing — 795mm vs 714mm focal length
- Lighter (4kg vs 5.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Wider field — 714mm vs 795mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.7
Best for — Vixen SD103S
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Vixen SD103S — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.59° × 1.73°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.69° × 1.13°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.81° × 0.81°Scale: 0.98"/px
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.89° × 1.93°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.89° × 1.26°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.91° × 0.91°Scale: 1.09"/px
Vixen SD103S — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.