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Technical Details
- Magnifications (with optics supplied): x36, x72, x90, x180
- Diameter of Primary Mirror: 130mm
- Telescope Focal Length: 900mm (f/6.92)Telescope Focal Length: 900mm (f/6.92)
- EQ2 Equatorial Mount
- R.A. Motor Drive (D.C.) with Multi-Speed Handset
Product details
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Product Description
Sky-Watcher Explorer-130 was to check the collimation of the mirrors, which we found were well aligned. This scope has one of the largest mirrors in its price range, which is a great asset because it means it can gather more light...Optically, the quality of the field of view while studying the star Altair was very good using the supplied 25mm eyepiece. The star remained sharp across 80 per cent of the view, with only slight distortion close to the field edges....Taking everything into account, this telescope made observing the night sky enjoyable and relatively hassle free....great views coupled with ease of use
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 50 people found the following review helpful
After looking at the reviews for all the reflectors in the £100 to £200 range, and looking at reviews and info on other websites I decided to go for the Skywatcher Explorer 130m. I went for the motor drive just in case I needed it as some reviewers said I would. I also bought a moon filter which is a must.
I found the scope ok to assemble. You just need to get your head around what everything does by reading all the instructions carefully. I found aligning the red dot with the scope quite easy - in the day I focussed the scope on a double chimney a quarter on a mile away and then set the red dot. I was amazed at how well the scope works in the day even with the 25mm lense. I couldn't wait for a clear night. Unfortunately due to torrential rain and wind I had to wait a while.
Tonight it was very cold, very windy but a clear sky. The scope was excellent. I saw Jupiter and two of its moons with the 10mm lense! I also viewed the craters on the moon which were amazing. The only problem I had was the judder from the wind, however as I said this week is very windy with gale force winds forecast all week (13/12/11). The lenses seem fine to me. The barlow is excellent and gave particularly good detail of the moon - too windy to use on Jupiter because of judder. Excellent piece of kit for the price, very well built.
One other thing - I have an app on my iphone which finds stars etc and has red night mode, the app is called 'star chart' - this is excellent as it finds constellations, planets, stars or messiers so you know what you are looking at and where to point the red dot finder, and it doesn't blind you in the dark. I also have a planisphere which is useful for the price you pay.
Not used the moter yet to track but it is offputting when Jupiter, or the moon for that matter, constantly move off out of view, so you have to keep tracking manually. Hope this info from a very happy beginner is useful.
I found the scope ok to assemble. You just need to get your head around what everything does by reading all the instructions carefully. I found aligning the red dot with the scope quite easy - in the day I focussed the scope on a double chimney a quarter on a mile away and then set the red dot. I was amazed at how well the scope works in the day even with the 25mm lense. I couldn't wait for a clear night. Unfortunately due to torrential rain and wind I had to wait a while.
Tonight it was very cold, very windy but a clear sky. The scope was excellent. I saw Jupiter and two of its moons with the 10mm lense! I also viewed the craters on the moon which were amazing. The only problem I had was the judder from the wind, however as I said this week is very windy with gale force winds forecast all week (13/12/11). The lenses seem fine to me. The barlow is excellent and gave particularly good detail of the moon - too windy to use on Jupiter because of judder. Excellent piece of kit for the price, very well built.
One other thing - I have an app on my iphone which finds stars etc and has red night mode, the app is called 'star chart' - this is excellent as it finds constellations, planets, stars or messiers so you know what you are looking at and where to point the red dot finder, and it doesn't blind you in the dark. I also have a planisphere which is useful for the price you pay.
Not used the moter yet to track but it is offputting when Jupiter, or the moon for that matter, constantly move off out of view, so you have to keep tracking manually. Hope this info from a very happy beginner is useful.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Received this scope as gift from my wife and given that she knows nothing of telescopes or astronomy I was a little skeptical of the likel capabilities of this Newtonian scope. I was very wrong. As an entry level scope I would have no problem recommending this product to someone putting a toe into the water for the first time.
My initial experience of astronomy was as a teenager in the 1970s using an old army surplus aircraft spotting scope - 2.5 inch refractor. Ever since then I've debated getting back into the hobby but time and expense as usually formed a significant hurdle to overcome. Since taking delivery of the Skywatcher I find myself looking at the weather forecast checking for clear night skies.
Features:
The equitorial mount with its motorised RA drive works well.
The eyepieces supplied do a good job of providing a wide range of magnifications.
The general quality of the optics seem to be excellent value for money.
Finderscope is a 'red dot' finder. Since taking delivery of the scope I have replaced this with a more conventional 6x30 finderscope which fitted onto the existing mounting with the minimum of fuss.
Downsides:
Polar alignment without a built in alignment scope is not as easy it could be.
I have also started down the road of astrophotography using a DSLR camera inconjunction with the telescope. Early days but it looks promising.
My initial experience of astronomy was as a teenager in the 1970s using an old army surplus aircraft spotting scope - 2.5 inch refractor. Ever since then I've debated getting back into the hobby but time and expense as usually formed a significant hurdle to overcome. Since taking delivery of the Skywatcher I find myself looking at the weather forecast checking for clear night skies.
Features:
The equitorial mount with its motorised RA drive works well.
The eyepieces supplied do a good job of providing a wide range of magnifications.
The general quality of the optics seem to be excellent value for money.
Finderscope is a 'red dot' finder. Since taking delivery of the scope I have replaced this with a more conventional 6x30 finderscope which fitted onto the existing mounting with the minimum of fuss.
Downsides:
Polar alignment without a built in alignment scope is not as easy it could be.
I have also started down the road of astrophotography using a DSLR camera inconjunction with the telescope. Early days but it looks promising.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An excellent telescope for the beginner, I have just traded in my old Lumex scope for one of these and have been very impressed. Good views of planets, moon and Nebulae.
It is not as some seem to expect "Wonders of the Universe stuff" if you want you may want to check e-bay for a space telescope and shuttle fleet. But for the money it's good value
I note I have posted a fuller review on a different market place seller at the following link.
SkyWatcher Explorer-130/900 EQ2 Telescope
It is not as some seem to expect "Wonders of the Universe stuff" if you want you may want to check e-bay for a space telescope and shuttle fleet. But for the money it's good value
I note I have posted a fuller review on a different market place seller at the following link.
SkyWatcher Explorer-130/900 EQ2 Telescope
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent starter scope
I was a bit overwhelmed at the size - I just hadn't realised how big it would be when assempled on the tripod. Read more
Published 19 days ago by R. Spencer
Wow!
Bought this for my husband for his birthday, he was gob-smacked when he opened the box. Although he hasn't used it yet, it seems well made. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Louise
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