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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.

Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Adapter for Carbon Fiber Explore Scientific 152 and 165mm Telescopes

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-A32-3203-ES152
$300.00 - $300.00
$300.00
$300.00 - $300.00
$300.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Connects True 3.0" Feather Touch Focusers
  • Designed for Carbon Fiber Explore Scientific 152mm & 165mm Telescopes
  • Enables Secure Mounting for Heavy Imaging Payloads
  • Precision-Machined for a No-Flex Fit
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Adapter for Carbon Fiber Explore Scientific 152 and 165mm Telescopes

    This Starlight Instruments adapter enables the installation of a True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser onto carbon fiber Explore Scientific 152mm and 165mm telescopes, providing the rigid, secure connection required for serious astrophotography and critical visual observation.

    Mount a 3.0" Feather Touch Focuser on ES 152mm & 165mm Scopes

    Upgrade the stock focuser on your Explore Scientific 152mm or 165mm carbon fiber refractor to a Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser. This adapter provides the precise mechanical interface to unlock the zero-shift, heavy-payload capacity and ultra-fine focusing control that Feather Touch focusers are known for. It is the critical first step in building an imaging train that can support large cameras, filter wheels, and off-axis guiders without flexure.

    • Compatibility Note: This specific adapter is designed for the carbon fiber tube versions of the Explore Scientific 152mm and 165mm telescopes.
    • Carrying Case Limitation: Due to the installed length of this adapter, the telescope may no longer fit into the original carrying case supplied with some models of the Explore Scientific 152mm telescope.

    This Adapter vs. the Shorter Version for ES 152mm Case Fit

    Starlight Instruments produces two versions of this adapter to accommodate different user priorities. The choice depends entirely on your need for portability versus your specific back-focus requirements.

    • This Standard Adapter: Choose this version if retaining the original carrying case for your Explore Scientific 152mm is not a primary concern, or if its length is required to reach focus with your specific imaging setup.
    • The Shorter Adapter (Sold Separately): A shorter version is available for users of the Explore Scientific 152mm who must be able to fit the modified telescope back into its original hard case.

  • Why install this Starlight Instruments adapter on my Explore Scientific 152mm telescope?

    This adapter allows you to replace the telescope's stock focuser with a high-precision Starlight Instruments 3.0" Feather Touch focuser. This upgrade is essential for astrophotography, as it provides superior load-bearing capacity for heavy cameras and eliminates image shift, resulting in sharper, more consistent images.

    Will my Explore Scientific 152mm telescope still fit in its case with this 3.0" adapter installed?

    No, it likely will not. This standard-length adapter is long enough that it prevents some Explore Scientific 152mm models from fitting back into their original carrying cases. If case compatibility is critical, you should purchase the shorter version of this adapter, which is sold separately.

    What is the advantage of a 3.0" Feather Touch focuser on an Explore Scientific 165mm refractor?

    An Explore Scientific 165mm refractor has significant light-gathering power and is often used with large-format cameras. A 3.0" Feather Touch focuser provides a rigid, wide-aperture light path that prevents vignetting and can securely hold a heavy imaging train consisting of a camera, filter wheel, and guider without any flex or sag.

    Is this adapter compatible with the aluminum tube versions of the Explore Scientific telescopes?

    This adapter is specifically designed and machined for the carbon fiber tube versions of the Explore Scientific 152mm and 165mm telescopes. Compatibility with aluminum tube models is not guaranteed.

    How do I choose between this adapter and the shorter version Starlight Instruments offers?

    The choice is based on a single trade-off for the Explore Scientific 152mm telescope:

    • Choose this standard adapter if you do not use the original case or if its length is necessary to achieve focus with your camera.
    • Choose the shorter adapter (sold separately) if you absolutely need the telescope to fit into its original carrying case.

    Does this adapter allow the 3.0" focuser to rotate for camera framing?

    Yes. The ability to rotate the entire imaging train is a feature of the Starlight Instruments 3.0" focuser itself. This adapter provides the secure mechanical connection to the telescope tube, allowing the focuser to function as designed, including full 360-degree rotation for perfect image composition.

  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty