Celestron NexStar 130SLT
March 24, 2008
Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Telescope Review
General Info
Class: GoTo Reflector
Best Uses: General (Planets, moon, stars, nebulae & Astrophotography)
Recommended Experience: Casual/recreational
Overall Rating: 8.28/10
Official Review: The Celestron NexStar 130 SLT is a perfect telescope for anyone wanting something to use with their family or on camping trips: it’s lightweight & durable, it’s comfortable, easy to align, has wonderful contrast, and has plenty of pre-programmed objects to find with the built-in computer.
If you want the joys of seeing stunning cosmic objects, without the hassle and cost of a “professional-grade” telescope, the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT is a great choice!
Pros: Accurate alignment, comfortable, well-built, great price for beginners & casual/recreational astronomers
Cons: Sticky focus knobs, fairly unstable tripod, low-quality lenses for professionals use
Click here to check out the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT on Telescopes.com!
Important Details
Usability: 8.4/10 - This scope is made for the beginner, but it has some advanced features that make it a bit more difficult to get used to. However, this is nice once you break the learning curve, because you won’t need to upgrade!
Comfortability: 9.1/10 - Very comfortable eyepiece; Tripod is a bit unstable (Use a small weight or sandbag to stabilize)
Durability: 8.2/10 - Stainless steel construction and durable tube design
Battery Life: 7.6/10 - Uses 8-AA batteries. 12V Power Supply recommended
Backlash: 7.9/10 - Very little to speak of for this price range
Warranty: 8.0/10 - 2-year limited
Storage: 8.7/10 - Light, easy to store & portable
Accuracy: 8.6/10 - Very accurate and easy to align
Setup: 8.1/10 - Pretty easy to use; Instruction manual makes it easier
Click here to read more reviews on the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 130mm
Magnification (Highest Useful): 300x
Focal Length: 650mm
Focal Ratio: f/5
Resolution: 1.06 Arc seconds
Angular field of view: 1.7º
Slew: Automatic, but computer can slew to objects if “Enter” is pushed unintentionally
Slew Speeds: Nine slew speeds: 4°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, .5°/sec, 32x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 2x
Tracking: GoTo & SkyAlign (Awesome!)
Click here to learn more about the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Reflector
Viewfinder: StarPointer (Highly recommended)
Eyepiece: 25mm (26x) & 9mm (72x) - Both very comfortable to use
Tube: Well-designed, standard Celestron tube
Mount Design: Motorized Altazimuth (GoTo)
Weight: 18lbs
Tripod: Stainless steel; sturdy; comes with an accessory tray to conveniently store filters & lenses
Power Supply: 8-AA batteries; internal to avoid cord; No complaints on battery life
Lens: Decent quality overall; Great for the price considering all the added features
Recommended Accessories: 12V Power Supply or AC Adapter; 1.25 inch format Celestron eyepiece & filter kit helps
Extra Features
GoTo: Yes. Fantastic technology
GPS: No (Can purchase GPS accessory to use in extra auxiliary port)
Computerized: Yes. Excellent motorized capability.
Alignment: Very simple SkyAlign technology (Pick 3 bright objects & it aligns itself!)
Remote: Yes
Object Database: Yes (4,000 pre-programmed objects to find automatically)
Programming Options: Cannot add much to the pre-programmed list, but works well with computer
CD-ROM: The Sky Level 1 & NexStar Observers List (v2.6.4c) - great software program!
Summary: For its price, the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT is VERY tough to beat! It’s jam-packed with features so you won’t have to upgrade any time soon, it’s easy to align, it’s durable, and it’s perfect for backyard stargazing or taking on camping trips. If you’re looking for something that will give you “more bang for your buck”, then the NexStar 130 SLT might be just what you’ve been looking for…
Click here to order the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT from Telescopes.com!
William Optics Megrez 90
March 20, 2008
William Optics “Megrez 90″ Telescope Review
General Info
Class: Megrez Refractor
Best Uses: Astrophotography
Recommended Experience: Professional
Overall Rating: 9.48/10
Official Review: A small, yet powerful telescope, perfect for the avid astronomer, the William Optics Megrez 90mm provides amazing optical clarity, breathtaking Astrophotography, and actually competes with scopes 2-3x its price! If you’re looking to add a lightweight refractor to your collection, the Megrez 90 is the perfect choice!
Pros: Small, beautiful optics, crisp design, easy to use, incredible focuser & wonderful contrast/color
Cons: Loses some contrast compared to larger f ratio scopes at 150x mag or more (Yeah, that’s pretty much it!)
Order the Megrez 90 from Telescopes.com now! (Best price & shipping available)
Important Details
Usability: 9.8/10 - Extremely easy to setup & use
Comfortability: 9.4/10 - Some claim it’s too small, but you can use it in combination with any tripod, so it’s “flexible”
Durability: 8.9/10 - Stainless steel reinforcements on the sides & back plus the aluminum case make this tough to break!
Warranty: 9.5/10 - 2-year full coverage
Storage: 9.7/10 - Very easy to store, lightweight & extremely portable
Accuracy: 9.6/10 - Very accurate, stunning optics
Astrophotography: 9.0/10 - Takes gorgeous pictures, even at high focus
Click here to check the price of the Megrez 90!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 90mm
Magnification (Highest Useful): 180x
Focal Length: 621mm
Focal Ratio: f/6.9
Resolving Power: 1.35″
Click here to read more reviews on the William Optics Megrez 90!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Refractor
Viewfinder: Standard Megrez
Eyepiece: Comfortable
Tube Length: 430mm (Fully contracted)
Weight: 7.1lbs (3.2kg)
Tripod: n/a (L-bracket tripod connection)
Power Supply: n/a
Lens: Retractable
Other Equipment: 2-inch to 1.25-inch adapter & Aluminum case
Recommended Accessories: DCL-52 Digital camera adapter lens (52mm)
Summary: In conclusion, the William Optics Megrez 90 is a fabulous telescope, and if you want something to take camping or to whip out of your arsenal to take some dazzling shots without the hassle of larger equipment, the Megrez 90 is a perfect fit!
Click here to order the William Optics Megrez 90 from Telescopes.com!
Meade LX90-ACF 8-Inch
March 18, 2008
Meade LX90-ACF 8-Inch Telescope Review
General Info
Class: LX-ACF; Advanced Coma-Free
Best Uses: General Astronomy (planets, moon, stars, nebulae & Astrophotography)
Recommended Experience: Casual - Enthusiast (No need to be a Pro, but it’s a bit feature-packed for a complete beginner)
Overall Rating: 9.28/10
Official Review: The Meade LX90-ACF is an excellent telescope. If you are a complete beginner, it might be difficult to get going, but because of its wide range of features, this learning curve can be good for helping you move from beginner to experienced stargazer quickly!
With many options and plenty of room to work with, the Meade LX90 is a great choice for an Astronomy enthusiast, and can be easily used by a family with children interested in stargazing. If you want your children to learn the ropes, this is a great scope to learn on. The great part is that with its advanced features, you won’t have to buy another telescope for a long time!
Pros: Clear, accurate, well-designed scope; Looks cool, comes pre-programmed & ready to view just about anything!
Cons: Somewhat tough to setup; Alignment takes a while; On the heavy-side for its class
Click here to check out the Meade LX90-ACF 8-Inch on Telescopes.com!
Important Details
Usability: 8.0/10 - Though it’s user manual is somewhat unclear, the Meade LX90 is easy to use once it’s setup
Comfortability: 9.2/10 - Fantastic eyepiece & fully-customizable tripod for any height/observing preference
Durability: 8.8/10 - Strong construction; Sturdy tripod & mount
Battery Life: 8.4/10 - Runs on 8 C batteries; Some recommend AC adapter (60hrs estimated)
Backlash: 9.6/10 - Very little to speak of
Warranty: 8.7/10 - 2-year Meade guarantee (Covers most common issues); Extended warranty optional
Storage: 7.8/10 - at 33lbs (52lbs w/ tripod), this scope is fairly easy to store
Accuracy: 8.0/10 - Very accurate once aligned, but alignment can be tough to get used to
Setup: 8.4/10 - Could be difficult for beginners due to unclear manual, but easy to setup physically
Click here to read more reviews on the Meade 8-Inch LX90-ACF!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 203mm
Magnification (Highest Useful): 600x
Focal Length: 2,000mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Resolution: 0.57 Arc seconds
Slew Speed: RA and Dec: 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal and 1.5°/sec., 3°/sec., 6.5°/sec.
Tracking: 5-arc minutes point precision (sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates)
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Advanced Coma-Free (highly recommended)
Viewfinder: 8×50 ‘Red Dot SmartFinder’™
Eyepiece: SP26mm (high-quality & comfortable)
Tube: Aluminum
Mount Design: Double Tine ‘Alt-Azimuth’ Fork
Weight: 33lbs (52lbs total)
Tripod: 19lbs; 30″ to 44″ adjustable height
Power Supply: 8 C batteries (approximately 60hrs of battery life)
Lens Coating: UHTC (Ultra-High Transmission Coatings) - 15% increase in image brightness!
Other Equipment: Remote included
Recommended Accessories: JMI Telescope case for easier portability; 4000-Piece Meade eyepiece & filter set (for added functionality)
Click here to get the Meade LX90-ACF 8-Inch telescope!
Extra Features
GoTo: Yes (Works very well after aligned)
GPS: Yes (Sony)
Computerized: Yes
Alignment: AutoAlign™ (decent, but strange to get used to at first)
Remote: Yes (AutoStar)
Object Database: 30,223 objects pre-programmed to view!
Programming Options: Pre-programmed
Summary: If you are looking for a telescope for under $3,000 and you want to get an incredible deal, you should strongly consider the Meade LX90! With its gorgeous design, its immense line of features, and its high-tech 30,223 pre-programmed object database, you’ll be able to get setup in a few hours and start making good use of those beautiful, clear nights by gazing at some of the most beautiful celestial objects you’ve ever seen!
Click here to order the Meade LX90-ACF from Telescopes.com!
Celestron NexStar 8 SE
March 15, 2008
Celestron NexStar 8 SE Review
General Info
Class: NexStar SE (Special Edition); Schmidt-Cassegrain
Best Uses: All-around Astronomy (Viewing planets, nebulae, the moon and star clusters; Astrophotography)
Recommended Experience: Though the Celestron NexStar 8 SE model details say it is made for the Professional astronomer, the vast majority of its users are in the Casual & Recreational category due to its ease of use and wide array of features.
Overall Rating: 9.41/10
Official Review: Listed at $2,600 (typically sold for $1,400), this powerful telescope is well worth the money overall. The only three things I found to be the slightest bit lacking are the battery-life (about 1.5 hours without the Power Tank upgrade), the single eyepiece and the occasional backlash (slight “lag” when GoTo alignment causes gears to move the scope to your desired object).
However, these minor drawbacks are more than made up for by its wonderful optics, its nearly flawless alignment and its ease of use. It’s easy to setup, has a fantastic instruction manual, and while they say it’s made for the pros, anyone can use it within a couple hours of learning to harness the power of its high-tech features. For the price, this is an amazing telescope, and I think you’ll spend many happy nights with it!
Pros: Light, durable, affordable for its robust feature set, easy to use, GoTo & SkyAlign technology, portable & amazing optics!
Cons: Fairly short battery-life & poorly-crafted eyepiece (Celestron Power Tank & accessory kit easily fix this)
Click here to check out the Celestron NexStar 8 SE and start observing!
Important Details
Usability: 9/10 - Very easy to use for what is considered a “Professional” scope
Comfortability: 8.5/10 - Some users complain about the supplied eyepiece & replace (others say it is comfortable)
Durability: 9.5/10 - Very durable; built to last, steady tripod & solid construction
Battery Life: 6.5/10 - Due to the power of this scope, its battery life is lacking compared to other less-advanced models
Backlash: 7.1/10 - Minor backlash issues, but instruction manual covers tips to reduce negative effects for beginners
Warranty: 9/10 Standard 2-year limited (Covers common issues, and isn’t used often due to its durable design)
Storage: 8.5/10 - Light, portable & easy to store
Accuracy: 8.2/10 - Very accurate GoTo function & SkyAlign
Setup: 9.1/10 - Easy to assemble; excellent manual
Click here to read more reviews on the Celestron NexStar 8SE!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 203mm
Magnification (Lowest Useful, Standard, Highest Useful): 29x, 81.28x, 480x
Focal Length: 2,032mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Resolution: 0.68 Arc seconds
Angular Field of View: 0.63 degree
Slew Speed: 9 speeds: 5º/sec, 3º/sec, 1º/sec, 64x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 1x & 1/2x
Tracking: EQ North & Altazimuth
If you’re looking for professional quality with a reasonable price tag, the Celestron NexStar 8SE is right up your alley!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Finderscope: StarPointer
Eyepiece: 25mm (Celestron Eyepiece & Filter Kit recommended)
Tube Length: 17in
Mount Design: Single Fork Arm-Altazimuth (quick-release)
Weight: 24lbs + Tripod (9lbs) = 33lbs total weight
Tripod: Durable steel design w/ accessory tray
Power Supply: 8-AA Batteries (1.5 hrs full observing time; some recommend the Celestron Power Tank)
Lens Coating: StarBright XLT (Awesome coatings!)
Other Equipment: None
Recommended Accessories: Celestron Power Tank, Celestron Eyepiece & Filter Set (available with purchase of Celestron NexStar 8SE)
Built to last, the Celestron NexStar 8SE will give you hundreds (or thousands) of perfect nights of stargazing!
Extra Features
GoTo: Yes (Excellent)
GPS: No (CN16 GPS accessory optional)
Computerized: Yes (Easily syncs for sending & storing Astrophotography pictures!)
SkyAlign: Yes
Remote: Yes
Object Database: 40,000 pre-programmed, 400 user-defined, and 200 objects w/ enhanced information
Programming Options: User-defined “memorized” objects, easy to use SkyAlign feature
CD-ROM: NexRemote v1.6.14 & The Sky L1
Summary: Whether you are a backyard stargazer or an avid astronomer, the Celestron NexStar 8SE will give you the power to view what you want with ease. While its batter-life is lacking at approximately 1.5 hours, it is greatly extended with the addition of the Celestron Power Tank. This scope is easy to use, has incredible SkyAlign object alignment and accuracy, and can easily be upgraded as new innovations arise. If you want to view the Universe the way only professional astronomers have until now (without shelling out $5,000+), get the Celestron NexStar 8SE. You’ll be glad you did…
Click here to order the Celestron NexStar 8SE from Telescopes.com!
