Pros
Great for beginners willing to invest time
Offers incredible views of celestial objects
Equatorial mount allows for precise adjustments
Red dot starfinder aids in locating objects
Relatively easy assembly
Good value for money invested
Comes with multiple eyepieces
Sturdy and robust construction
Lightweight tripod and decent portability
Cons
Not for those seeking entry-level ease
Collimating mirrors can be complex
Some parts may arrive broken or misaligned
Main Product Advantages
7 Optics Quality
The telescope has received praise for its ability to provide sharp images of celestial objects. However, there are some concerns about spherical aberration due to a spherical primary mirror.
7 Portability
Although notably heavier and bulkier than some entry-level options, it is still considered manageable for transportation with some patience.
6 Eyepieces
The supplied eyepieces are generally criticized for their poor quality. Many users recommend replacing them with better-quality eyepieces for an improved experience.
6 Build Quality
Opinions on build quality are mixed. Some users are pleased with the robust construction, while others point out minor design flaws and the use of plastic components.
6 Additional Accessories
There’s general satisfaction with accessories like the laser collimator, equatorial motor, and zoom eyepiece, but some users indicate that with these essential additions the overall cost increases.
6 Value for Money
The telescope offers good value for money, especially for those ready to invest more in accessories. However, the initial cost vs. the extra spend needed for optimal performance may be a concern.
5 Beginner Usability
While some reviews emphasize that this telescope is good for beginners, others highlight the complex setup and mirror adjustment needed. The mixed reviews indicate potential difficulties for true beginners.
5 Finder Scope
The red dot finder scope is seen as a convenient tool, but some users have reported issues with alignment and durability, making it less reliable over time.
5 Astrophotography Suitability
Users have found it challenging to use this telescope for astrophotography, especially with heavier cameras. It is generally deemed suitable only for basic smartphone astrophotography.
4 Mount Stability
The equatorial mount is cited as having notable stability issues, fine adjustment problems, and manufacturing flaws. These could be deal-breakers for users.
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope
The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope is a reflector telescope specifically designed for beginners. It is equipped with a fully-coated 130mm glass optic objective lens, ensuring high-quality, clear, and bright images of celestial and terrestrial objects.
One of its standout features is the AstroMaster German Equatorial manual mount, which includes two slow-motion control knobs for precision adjustments. For magnification, the telescope comes with two eyepieces: a 20mm for 45x magnification and a 10mm for 90x magnification. This allows users to focus on distant objects with exceptional clarity.
The telescope also includes a rugged, pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inch steel tube legs, providing a stable platform for extended usage. It is straightforward to set up, requiring no tools, making it ideal for beginners who want a hassle-free experience.
Included in the package is the Starry Night Basic Edition astronomy software, which offers a 36,000-object database for interactive sky simulations. This feature is particularly useful for planning stargazing sessions and learning about various celestial objects.
Usability extends to daytime as well, allowing users to observe land-based objects besides night sky objects like Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, as well as galaxies and nebulae. This dual-purpose functionality adds great value to the telescope.
Celestron – NexYZ – 3–Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter
The Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter enhances the stargazing experience by allowing users to capture images and videos through their telescope or spotting scope. It fits any eyepiece ranging from 35mm to 60mm in diameter and can accommodate a wide range of smartphones, including larger models like the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy series.
Its secure design includes a strong spring and a threaded twist lock for a reliable grip on the eyepiece. The phone platform is fully adjustable, often enabling users to keep their phone cases on during use. NexYZ's simple spring-loaded clamps make it easy to switch devices quickly, which is ideal for group activities like star parties.
What sets the NexYZ adapter apart is its three-axis adjustment (X, Y, and Z), which allows precise alignment of the smartphone camera with the eyepiece. This ensures that the entire field of view is captured, making it quicker and more efficient than other smartphone adapters. Switching between different optical instruments or phones requires only slight adjustments, adding to its user-friendly design.
The adapter is also versatile, fitting not only telescopes but also spotting scopes, binoculars, monoculars, and microscopes. However, it is not compatible with riflescopes and may require the removal of very bulky phone cases for optimal use.
Conclusion
Overall, the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope is an excellent choice for beginners, offering user-friendly features, high-quality optics, and a versatile design suitable for both celestial and terrestrial observations. The inclusion of the Starry Night Basic Edition software adds educational value, making it perfect for amateur astronomers.
Complementing the telescope is the Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter, which allows for seamless, high-quality image and video capturing through various optical instruments. Its secure and adjustable design makes it a valuable accessory for those who wish to document their stargazing or nature-watching experiences.
Together, these products provide a comprehensive package for anyone looking to begin their journey into astronomy or enhance their observational capabilities.
