"For Professional Level Scientific Imaging for the Amateur, Explore Scientific Equipment Can't Be Beat!"

"Field testing gives us the edge we are looking for... As Explore Scientific's Field Testing Team Leader, I work with select individuals to make sure that our products are rigorously and continuously tested. We feel it is the best way to get long-term, detailed feedback on how our optics and mechanics perform under a wide range of conditions. We use the suggestions made by our field testers and from comments made by all of our customers in our program of continuous improvement of our products."
"The team consists of enthusiasts who have volunteered their time and expertise, and in the case of Jerry Hubbell, have also volunteered to share their results and comments through our website. In fact, Jerry edits and maintains this page, and his comments are his own, so come back to check for new images and updates."
If you are interested in volunteering for one of our selection rounds, please give me a call at (888) 599-7597 at extension 309."
- Russ Tanton

"The Explore Scientific Telescope Drive Master (TDM) is an important tool that helps me focus on imaging rather than the equipment..."

"When I first started out in astrophotography, I learned all the ins and outs of auto-guiding, but I was spending a lot of time doing setup and management of my guiding equipment, and not focusing on my imaging. This was eating into my time and productivity, and I was thinking there had to be a better way!

When you are trying to do minor planet astrometry, and you have a portable observatory, you really need to maximize your efficiency in setting up and tearing down your observatory.
Minimizing the amount of equipment, and only using what is necessary for the session is absolutely critical in getting the most high quality data from your imaging system.

In my opinion, the TDM is the perfect solution for portable observatories. Because it allows you to setup quickly and start imaging right away, you don't worry about your mounts tracking ability, or it's performance... It just works.
On only the fourth session using the TDM I was able to make and report 18 observations of 5 minor planets to the Minor Planet Center. This basically matched what I was able to do in all of 2010.

Being an engineer at heart, I wanted to really test my TDM in order to fully understand its operation and performance. The whole TDM team, Scott, Attila, Istvan, and Tassilo were there when I needed them to help me install and operate my TDM system. Once I recieved my system, the installation went flawlessly, and I was up and running within a couple of days.
I have been working with Attilla Madai of MDA-Telescoop.com to help make the operation of the TDM as good as it can be. I have written a paper that describes my experience using the TDM. I have been able to operate my EQ6 Pro mount successfully with the TDM, demonstrating a consistent Tracking Error of +/- 0.7 arcseconds.

I was also pleased to be able to share my initial testing of the TDM with Dennis DiCicco of Sky and Telescope Magazine. I was rewarded with a mention in his article on the Telesope Drive Master in the October 2011 issue."

Jerry Hubbell and the Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber ED127 APO Air-Spaced Triplet

"In April at NEAF 2011, I told Scott that I was interested in maybe upgrading my Synta 120 mm ED refractor to the Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber ED127 APO Air-Spaced Triplet.

I was always wondering if I was really getting the best images for my minor planet work, and also my high-resolution lunar imaging work. Scott offered me an unbeleiveable price on the scope, and I couldn't turn it down. The results speak for themselves! Here is an excerpt from an email I sent to Scott about my first light experience with the scope at a public star party our astronomy club was having:

...After doing an alignment on my EQ6, I pointed the 127 ED to Saturn, and with the ES 25mm eyepiece, it looked very crisp, and bright.

I found myself saying wow a couple of times to myself as I brought the image to best focus.
The focuser was very smooth and precise. I had no problem snapping the image to best focus. I bumped up the power with a 1987 vintage Televue 7mm Nagler, and the view was awesome! Very crisp and still very bright at 136x.

The visitors were very impressed with the image, and I was greeted with Oohs, Ahhs, and Wows, from several observers. I was very impressed by how even on bright Saturn, there was absolutely no false color fringes, the stars were tack sharp even with the 7mm out to the edge of the field. I bumped up the power with a 2" 2x barlow to 272x and even though there was some dimming, Saturn was still pretty bright. Unfortunately I don't have the highest quality barlow, but the view was still the best I have seen out of any scope I have owned...

- May 1, 2011

My high-resolution lunar imaging was kicked into high gear after I recieved my scope. I have recently purchased a Televue 4x Powermate, and using the Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber ED127 APO Triplet at f/30 (3810mm FL) really has let me get the maximum performance out of the system. You can see more of my images here.

I want to thank Scott and the whole Explore Scientific team for providing the cost-effective equipment and tools necessary for me to be able to do the Minor Planet and High Resolution Lunar Imaging that I only dreamt about when I was a teenager. I couldn't do it without them!

- Jerry