Explore Scientific 127 mm APO- FCD-100 vs Skywatcher Esprit 120

Easy! Whichever has a shorter delivery time 

David Nozadze:
Easy! Whichever has a shorter delivery time 

Yes delivery time does matter but quality first
Erik

I went through this same decision.  It boiled down to to build quality questions with the ES 127 from extensive research.  From the images I see they are both very good scopes.  I decided on the Esprit 120 and haven't looked back since.

Another option could be TS Optics AP 140/910 ED Triplet Photoline, a bit faster and the pics on Astrobin look quite good too. Unfortunately, I have none of these, but would be interesting to see how these compare.

Thanks to all for great advises. It seems that the Esprit is the best choice if quality alone counts. Of course price must be considered, maybe  they then are even. Still hope for more comments.

Erik

I purchased the ES ED127 FCD-100 this year and am pleased with the performance of the scope. The difference between FCD-100 and FLP-53 is indistinguishable to most people's eye. You will get quality images with both scopes and you probably know that longer integration times equal quality images. However, more aperture means better Galaxy pics. The ED127 focuser might not be up to par with the Esprit 120 but if you install a ZWO Electronic Focuser on the scope like I did then all that goes out the window because of the small focus steps taken by the focus motor and the fact that I haven't touched the focuser since. You can't go wrong with either choice. Good Luck!

For three years ago I had the same decision to take and choose between the two scopes.
After long research I chose Esprit 120.
I’m very happy with the choice! 
The only problem I encountered is the dewshield that when pulling it out it does not align parallel to the lens, one side stops correctly and the other side not, so you have to manually adjust it til it is parallel.

Hi, 

Managed to take a decision, it will be Esprit 120 with 0.77 reducer. Probably not deliver before the season is over here in Norway , ends early in April,  so next season .

Hi,

I have the Esprit 120 since 10/2019, i've got the SW flattener and the TS 0,75 reducer (has been replaced/updated by https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5120_TS-Optics-REFRACTOR-0-74x-Reducer-Corrector-for-Apo---ED-for-full-sized-sensors.html).
The flattener has been used once, i mostly use it with the reducer which speed up the optics to f5.25.
I am very happy with this telescope, it is very well built, and the images produced are good.
 
The only downside is that what you sometimes hear from others, and that is the focuser.
The focuser has a little slack on the optical tube, at least mine does.
You can correct this, but then the movement becomes too stiff for the microfocuser (Sesto Senso), and it slips on the small shaft of the focuser.
I have no idea if the little bit of slack has an effect on the images I've already taken with this telescope, but I would suspect it does.
In the future I will most likely upgrade the telescope with a 3" Esatto focuser.
It may of course also be that I am the limiting factor, and with better technique the focuser can be properly adjusted.
But with an Esatto-type focuser, You would eliminate 2 possible points of possible failure (focuser slack and the coupling on the focuser shaft which is not ideal).

However, let it be clear that these minuses I listed are not extreme, and this just remains a good telescope and I hope you enjoy it.

Miguel