Reddit reviews Orion 9851 SpaceProbe 130 EQ Reflector Telescope
We found 4 Reddit comments about Orion 9851 SpaceProbe 130 EQ Reflector Telescope. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Complete 5.1" aperture reflector telescope with full-size adjustable tripod and equatorial (EQ) mount for easy manual tracking of objects in the night sky900mm focal length and f/6.9 focal ratio makes the SpaceProbe 130 EQ an excellent telescope for viewing wide-field deep-sky objects like cloudy nebulas, distant galaxies, and sparkling open star clusters and bright globular star clusters130mm optics gulp up light from the night sky for wonderful views of the Moon and planets like Mars, Jupiter, and SaturnSturdy EQ-2 equatorial telescope mount features two slow-motion control knobs so you can keep what you're looking at in the eyepiece for extended viewsIncludes two Explorer II 1.25" Kellner eyepieces (25mm and 10mm focal lengths) for two different viewing magnifications, a 6x30 finder scope for easy aiming of the telescope, collimation cap, dust caps, accessory tray, Starry Night software, and more!
Is this a Bill Nye AMA related coincidence? Cause I've also been searching and had this very thing open in another tab as well as this Orio. Both look very tempting.
Anyway, I'd love to hear this subreddit's feedback!
What do you think about this thing:
Orion SpaceProbe 130EQ
I know the mount is crap but a 900mm f/6.9 doesn't sound terrible to me. Sort of a happy medium between focal length and aperture.
Did you see https://store.astronomerswithoutborders.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4&zenid=gaakkcnj1krkp9tb9vbgn1t7i0 as well ?
I mentioned the Heritage mainly for visual use, given the price-range.
The open construction and wobbly focuser make it troublesome for imaging. I do it once in a while but it will give you headaches, it is only suitable for snap-shots.
The open construction can be somewhat helped with a black cardboard shroud, but there still will be a gap between focuser and tube, ruining long exposures if there is ANY light source nearby.
For visual use the Heritage is a great budget telescope, but if you do consider imaging regularly it is really NOT a good choice ;-) I just mentioned it is possible if you want to give it a try, but do not get it as scope for imaging.
That said, I did attach the Canon 450D DSLR to the Heritage, I did not find flexing to be a problem. The focuser has to be in all the way to avoid wobble, and you will have to adjust the focus via the flextube mechanism which is a pain in the XXX.
I mainly use it for visual and for video astronomy.
Also keep in mind the Heritage is pretty low to the ground, I solved it by either using a very small collapsible camping chair to sit on or a transport-box / beverage-crate to put the heritage on when there is no table around. It's strong suit is portability, every thing else is a compromise.
You may want to go for one of the larger dobsonians, visually.
They are not well suited for imaging either due to the lack of tracking, but at least their focusers are a bit more rigid and the tube is closed. The backfocus may be to short, so you will not reach focus unless using a barlow or moving the mirror up.
Many take snap-shots of planets, moon and such through a barlow.
Visually, 4.5" and 6" dobsonains, but better 8" will give you the best bang for the buck.
IF you really want to plan on imaging, get a 130pds or something like that ( a 130/650 with enough back focus. The secondary is a bit large, limiting the contrast visually too)
http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130p-ds-ota.html
or perhaps http://www.amazon.com/Vixen-2604-R130Sf-Telescope/dp/B001KW07Q4/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1417128221&sr=8-13&keywords=telescope+130
and get a used NEQ3 mount.
This would be the minimum configuration for imaging attempts... Plus motor.
There are sets like http://www.amazon.com/Orion-9851-SpaceProbe-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B0000XMSWK for under 200 dollars even, but the mount is too weak for any serious imaging. Still, perhaps a better way then the Heritage for you.
As you will see, the mount is the main cost factor, especially when it comes to imaging. This is why the dobsonians give you the best bang for the buck VISUALLY. Simple yet sturdy.
A good EQ mount will often cost more then the telescope.
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-8945-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B001DDW9V6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406655799&sr=8-2&keywords=Orion+Telescope
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-9851-SpaceProbe-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B0000XMSWK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1406655799&sr=8-5&keywords=Orion+Telescope
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-10019-IntelliScope-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B000E1TNGW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1406655799&sr=8-6&keywords=Orion+Telescope
Protip: follow NASA's rule. Bigger the mirror, greater the clarity.