Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Views!, March 5, 2006
First of all, everything I know about using a telescope comes from the Orion website. They have articulate, concise, and well written articles/tutorials/star charts, that gently introduce beginners to the hobby FOR FREE! Second, and most importantly, this little scope is amazing! I live in suburbia next to a street lamp, and down the road from an obnoxiously bright Walmart. Even with the moon setting in the western sky, I could easily see Saturn, and the Cassini Division. In the week that I've owned the scope, I have also seen Sirrius, Mars, and spectacular views of the moon w/ terminator. My house blocks the northern sky from the backyard, so I haven't been able to Polar align the scope yet. But with a star chart, objects are relatively easy to find using the finder scope. The 130mm aperature captures a lot of light! Deep sky images are wonderful with high contrast and wide field of view. Planetary images are very well defined with higher magnification eyepieces. I have had the best luck setting the tripod in grass, because hard surfaces tend to cause a little vibration. Additionally, the physics of the EQ2 mount may necessitate an above average degree of mechanical aptitude (The original owner I bought it from assembled it completely wrong, and even discounted the price because she thought it was missing parts, which it wasn't)! I can't wait to take it away from the city lights! I highly recommend this telescope for its quality and value (even when purchased new). I also recommend the company for its dedication to my enjoyment of the hobby, even though they made no profit from my purchase (yet! They've won me over for the next one though).
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great scope for quick and casual viewing, May 14, 2007
I already own an 8 inch GOTO telescope, and although I love it, it is quite an affair to setup, and is quite heavy. I leave my 130 ST scope in the garage, and can be observing in a few minutes. The scope is light but stable, and sturdy. The adjusments are smooth, and with the optional drive, I can track stars, if I will be viewing for a longer time. The planets came sharply into view, so I think it is a great intermediate scope, and one you can take with you on a trip.
(The manual was also very clear)
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing telescope, June 12, 2007
I purchased the 130St about two years ago ever since I've had nothing
but enjoyment from this telescope. On my first observation I picked up
the double cluster in Perseus(NGC869 and NGC884) which was so clear the
stars looked like bright pinpoints of perpendicularly crossed lights.
Venus was also quite amazing to see, its cresent disk could be easely
and clearly seen. I later on saw Saturn you can easily see its rings
and moons,and Jupiter was a sight to see with propper focusing you could
easily see its cloud belts. Galaxy's where clearly seen on dark nights
,but don't expect to much on galaxy's because they are so far away even
a twelve inch scope won't pick up much more than a five inch scope.
I can't say enough good about this telescope it comes with great accessories and every thing you need to get you going.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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by Terence Dickinson
