Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
by Orion
(Click here)
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: OrionModel: SpaceProbe 130ST EQ
Product features:
- Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ (307 x 130mm) Telescope
Digital camera reviews of Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
Digital camera Review: A Terrific First Scope
Summary: 5 Stars
Orion telescopes are known for their quality and exemplary customer service (after the purchase). I have owned over half a dozen scopes and the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector is a great scope for the beginner, and is also a highly portable scope for the amateur.
There are so many things to like about this scope. First of all, I have always liked reflectors, since the eyepiece is at a height that is convenient for viewing. (A refractor is much harder to look through, especially at objects directly overhead). At 27 pounds, this telescope is quite portable, enabling one to excape one's backyard for other viewing locations if desired. With its equatorial mount, once properly set up, the scope will follow the night objects with a tiny twist of the RA control wheel. Many newbies do not realize how fast stars, planets, and the moon drift from east to west, so having a manual fine control knob to follow objects across the sky is a huge plus. (Note: An optional EQ-2M or AstroTrack electronic drive can be added for automatic tracking - see Orion website). The tripod is best set up on grass or solid ground, rather than a deck, patio, or concrete surface, as the tripod legs may skitter or vibrate a bit on an artificial surface (Some people put rubberized thin carpet tags under the tripod bases when they set up on asphalt or concrete). Orion provides a one-year warranty, which provides peace of mind.
As far as viewing is concerned, this is a great scope for crystal-clear images. It has a wide field of view due to it shorter focal length (f/5), so objects are a bit easier to find. The 130 mm (5.11 inch) optical parabolic mirror gathers enough light to make images bright and clear (especially compared to a refractor). The light-gathering power of this scope is what makes it so special. In order to see celestial objects clearly and distinctly, enough light needs to be gathered and focused to a sharp point. This scope accoplishes this - stars are pin-point and planetary views show the moons of Jupiter (cloud bands on Jupiter), rings of Saturn, and more. Being a short focal length scope I think this instrument excells at star clusters, nebula, Messier objects, etc. The lunar views are quite good - sharp and clear.
The scope comes with 2 eyepieces (25mm and 10mm). You may want to purchase a "shorty" barlow lens for added versitility. The barlow magnifies the views of the two eyepieces by 2 power, effectively giving you 4 different views. The shorty barlow gives a wider range of viewing options, especially for planetary and lunar viewing. Orion Shorty 2x Barlow Lens, 1.25"
I don't think you can find a better starter scope for a child or teen interested in astronomy. Yes, you pay more for this scope than the much cheaper store brands, but the extra money buys QUALITY - which cannot be stated enough. Observing with a quality instrument is pure joy, compared to the frustration of a cheaper store scope.
This is a good scope at a reasonable price. (A scope like this one will also hold its resale value compared to the store-bought cheapies). Recommended.
konedog
Summary of Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
The SpaceProbe 130ST EQ is a rich-field Newtonian reflector with a tube only 24" long compared to the 33" tube length of the standard 130 EQ. The focal length of the ST's 130mm (5.1") primary mirror is 650mm (f/5), producing a wider field of view and brighter images for a given eyepiece focal length. The diffraction-limited parabolic primary mirror is the same type used on much larger reflectors costing substantially more. On a short-focal-length design like this one, a parabolic mirror is a must for delivering sharp, detailed images. This scope package includes an EQ-2 equatorial mount with dual setting circles and manual slow-motion controls, adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray, two Plossl eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), and a 6x30 achromatic finder scope. One-year limited warranty.Reflectors
Cameras and Photo
Most talked about in Orion
My Best Friendby Laura Wilson
Orion; Published: 2001-06-21; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $0.01
Marketing for Managers (Orion Business Toolkit Series)by David Mercer
Orion; Published: 1999-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.96
Mixed Doublesby Ann Purser
Orion; Published: 1998-08-17; Hardcover; Book
Hawkwood's Voyage (Monarchies Of God)by Paul Kearney
Orion; Published: 1996; Paperback; Book
Blah Blah Black Sheepby Maggie Gibson
Orion; Published: 2001-07-19; Paperback; Book
Borrowed Timeby Gordon Williams
Orion; Hardcover; Book
Michael Footby Mervyn Jones
Orion; Published: 1995-03-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $185.71
Matricide at St Martha'Sby Ruth Dudley Edwards
Orion; Hardcover; Book
The Future of the Great Powers: Predictionsby Josef Joffe
Orion; Published: 1999-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $77.44
Elusive Rothschild: The Life of Victor, Third Baronby Kenneth Rose
Orion; Published: 2003-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.34
Price in other shops:
Similar digital cameras
Orion EQ-2M Electronic Telescope DriveOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $71.99
Price in other shops:
46"x13.5"x18.5" Orion Padded Telescope CaseOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $80.99
Price in other shops:
The Backyard Astronomer's Guideby Terence Dickinson, Alan Dyer
Firefly; Firefly Books; Published: 2008-09-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $26.21
Price in other shops:
Orion Beginning Stargazer's ToolkitOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $29.99
Price in other shops:
Orion 1.25" Premium Telescope Accessory KitOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $143.99
Price in other shops:
Orion Tri-Mag 1.25" 3x Barlow LensOrion; Orion; Health Care
Best price: $47.59
Price in other shops:
1.25" Orion Variable Polarizing FilterOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $29.99
Price in other shops:
Orion Shorty 1.25" 2x Barlow LensOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $38.24
Price in other shops:
1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon FilterOrion; Digital Camera
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universeby Terence Dickinson
Firefly; Firefly Books; Published: 2006-09-12; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $20.77
Price in other shops: