Quote:
Originally Posted by Amaranthus
I think they mean 1000 mm (focal length), not 1000x magnification! (which would be useless for this setup or indeed under any terrestrial viewing conditions no matter what your equipment, even if you could theoretically achieve it with their EP/barlow combination). Also, resolving power should be 1 second, not 1 inch... The Kellner eyepieces are probably going to be poor performers.
Hard to tell who makes this - it doesn't look like a Synta. But whoever wrote the package description doesn't know much about astronomy. I'd be leery.
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Yes, this is a 1,000 mm FL telescope, which is actually a 500 mm FL mirror with a 2x Barlow permanently integrated into the focuser. It's the same optical arrangement as the Celestron 114EQ Newtonian reflectors
http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop...14eq-telescope , and in fact the 3-leg secondary spider looks very similar to the spider in the Celestron 114EQ , so it might come from the same factory as the Celestron telescopes? I would personally go for a Celestron 114 mm over a no-name 114 mm, if you can find one, but you won't get a new one for that price.
I would imagine that the whole assembly will be pretty flimsy and plasticky, which would appal any keen amateur, but may not be a huge issue for an absolute beginner who isn't even sure if astronomy is "their thing".
The supplied eyepieces are not great, but my experience with these little Newtonians is that they often give a "reasonable" image of brighter objects (Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, bright clusters, etc) which is good enough to whet the appetite of a beginner. The EQ mount can be a bit fiddly for beginners, but shouldn't be a deal-breaker.
Yes, as others have said, there are certainly better beginner telescopes around, but they cost more than $130. You'll do better if you're prepared to spend a bit more, but I'm going to take a contrary postilion: If your hard limit is around $130 - why not?
If it fails to excite your interest (or your kids') - well, you've only blown $130, and you can probably get $50 or so back on eBay when you sell it again.
If it convinces you and your kids that you need more aperture and better optics - well, you've only blown $130, and you can probably get $50 or so back on eBay when you sell it to fund your first upgrade.