Zhumell Eclipse 114 Telescope w/Motor Drive

by Zhumell

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 29.8 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 32 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006OC4F4
• Item model number: EC001
• Batteries: 1 9V batteries required. (included)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,061 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 22, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Zhumell Eclipse 114 Reflector Telescope The Zhumell Eclipse 114 adds a motor driven equatorial mount to a short tube Newtonian reflector telescope. The 4.5 inch reflector is one of the most popular entry level telescope designs for one simple reason: it gathers three times more starlight than 60mm refractors. The Zhumell Eclipse 114 package includes two good Kellner type eyepieces (9mm and 20mm), a right-angle 6 x 30mm finder scope, and an equatorial mount with motor drive.

The Eclipse 114 is a short tube design that uses a corrector lens in the focuser to simulate a traditional long tube Newtonian reflector. Like other short tube designs, this works best at medium magnification levels. With the low power K20mm eyepiece (50x) the stars of the double cluster in Perseus are reasonably sharp right across the field of view. The ghostly glow of the Orion Nebula is easy to see even when the moon is bright, and when I zoom in with the high power K9mm eyepiece (111x) I can make out all four stars in the Nebula's embedded multiple star, the Trapezium.

The Moon and planets also show up nicely. I can pick out the twin craters Sabine and Ritter near the edge of the Sea of Tranquility where Apollo 11 landed. With the K9mm eyepiece (111x) it's easy to spot Saturn's moon Titan orbiting outside the rings and to see the major cloud bands on the planet Jupiter.

With the help of Zhumell's well illustrated manual, even a beginner should have no trouble assembling the telescope. With the tripod legs clamped in the shortest position, the telescope is just the right size for a seated adult, and the motor helps keep the stars and planets in the field of view as the Earth rotates. The motor, which uses two 9-volt batteries, is not very powerful, however. I found the motor worked much better after I replaced the original sticky grease on the equatorial mount with a teflon based all weather lubricant.

Zhumell is a relatively new company, but I'd say they've made a good start with the Eclipse 114. This is an entry level telescope with good optics, good eyepieces, and a convenient portable size. –Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Small and portable
• Pleasing view of the planets and deep space
• Includes two Kellner eyepieces and a motor drive

Cons:

• Motor can bog down in cold weather
• Planet views at high power could possibly be better

Product Description

the Eclipse reflector telescope offers enough power and an ease of use that is perfect for the beginning astronomer but yet advanced enough for more technically adept stargazers. This is a great begining telescope with enough power for deeper exploration. With its equatorial mount, tripod, clock drive and a price less than $250 dollars, you will need reasons not to try it. Don't forget about the wonderful 25 Year warranty from the folks at Zhumell either.