Explore FirstLight 80mm f/8 Carbon Fiber Refractor Telescope Go-To Tracker Combo with Solar Filter

This combo pairs the Explore FirstLight 80mm f/8 refractor with Explore Scientific's iEXOS-100 GoTo tracker mount and an over-the-lens Solarlite solar filter, so one setup covers sunspots by day and the Moon, planets and deep sky at night. The mount finds targets from the ExploreStars app on a tablet and follows them across the sky.

Key Features

• 80mm f/8 refractor. 640mm focal length, fully coated optics and a rugged metal tube with a black carbon fiber look.
• Solarlite solar filter. An over-the-lens filter of Thousand Oaks Optical's Solarlite film. Explore Scientific says the film is the same material as its eclipse glasses, which are rated ISO 12312-2 and were tested by ICS Labs for direct observation of the Sun. As the American Astronomical Society advises, fit the filter securely over the front of the telescope before you point it at the Sun.
• Built-in dew shield. Slows moisture build-up on the objective lens and reduces interference from stray light.
• Eyepiece, diagonal, finder and camera adapters. A 25mm Plössl, a 90° diagonal, a red dot viewfinder, a smartphone adapter, and a built-in adapter for a DSLR (a T2 ring for your camera is required).
• PMC-Eight control. Eight CPUs that operate independently, each on its own functions.
• ExploreStars app. For Apple, Android and Windows tablets: align the telescope, navigate the stars and read about tens of thousands of objects.
• Clutched worm gears, belt drives. Clutched RA and declination axes for balancing and repositioning, with quiet stepper motor belt drives on both.
• Polar alignment without a polar scope. A sight hole through the RA axis and precise altitude control.
• Glow-in-the-dark markings on the mount and tripod.

Ideal For

• Solar observers following sunspots, who also want a GoTo telescope for the night sky.
• Newcomers to astrophotography, with the smartphone and DSLR adapters: Explore Scientific calls the system suitable for entry-level astrophotography.
• Lunar and planetary observers who want the Moon and planets kept in the eyepiece while they look.

Accessories & Compatibility

• Power. The battery pack mounts on a tripod leg bracket and takes 8 C batteries (not included). Explore Scientific says alkaline cells typically last under two hours before voltage drop affects the motors, and recommends a lithium-ion power bank or an AC power adapter for longer sessions.
• Tablet. The tablet or computer that runs ExploreStars is sold separately.
• Capacity. About 19 lb for visual use and 15 lb for photography, counting the telescope, accessories and counterweights. Two 1 kg counterweights come with it.
• Without the solar filter. The FirstLight 80mm Go-To Tracker Combo pairs the same mount with the FirstLight 80mm refractor and no solar filter.