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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Equatorial Mount - Discontinued

Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Equatorial Mount - Discontinued

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-ON13449EQ3
Sold out
$214.22 - $214.22
$214.22
$214.22 - $214.22
$214.22
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  • 134mm (5.3") Newtonian Reflector Optics
  • 650mm Focal Length
  • Fast f/4.9 Focal Ratio
  • German Equatorial Mount with Slow-Motion Controls
  • Includes 25mm (26x) and 10mm (65x) Plossl Eyepieces
  • Upgraded 6x30 Optical Finderscope
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Equatorial Mount

    The Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope combines a 134mm primary mirror with a 650mm focal length to create a fast f/4.9 optical system ideal for wide-field deep-sky observation and introductory astrophotography. This complete setup includes two Plossl eyepieces for 26x and 65x magnification, a 6x30 optical finderscope, and a German equatorial mount with slow-motion controls for precise, intuitive tracking of celestial objects.

    Fast f/4.9 Optics: 134mm Aperture for Wide-Field Views

    The telescope's optical system is built around a 134mm (5.3") primary mirror, gathering ample light to resolve craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, and bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula (M42). Its 650mm focal length results in a fast f/4.9 focal ratio, which provides a wide true field of view and reduces exposure times for astrophotography. While this fast design excels at capturing large nebulae and galaxies, it does require more precise collimation than slower instruments to achieve optimal sharpness.

    German Equatorial Mount: Precision Tracking with Slow-Motion Controls

    Unlike a standard alt-azimuth mount that moves up-down and left-right, this German equatorial mount is designed to follow the natural arc of the stars with the turn of a single knob. Once polar aligned, the right ascension slow-motion cable allows you to keep objects perfectly centered in the eyepiece for extended periods. This capability is essential for high-magnification viewing and is a critical requirement for long-exposure astrophotography.

    Complete Kit: 26x/65x Magnification and a 6x30 Finderscope

    This telescope arrives ready for observation with a well-rounded accessory package. The included 25mm Plossl eyepiece yields a low-power, 26x magnification for sweeping star fields, while the 10mm Plossl provides 65x for closer views of planets and lunar features. The package also includes an upgraded 6x30 optical finderscope, which shows fainter stars than typical red-dot finders and makes locating targets via star-hopping significantly easier.

    Explore Scientific 134mm vs. Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ: Key Differences

    While both telescopes serve a similar market, the Explore Scientific 134mm offers distinct advantages over the common Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ. The primary trade-off is often brand recognition and price, where the AstroMaster may have an edge.

    • Aperture and Focal Ratio: The Explore Scientific model has a slightly larger 134mm aperture versus the 130mm on the Celestron, providing a small but measurable increase in light-gathering ability. Its f/4.9 focal ratio is also marginally faster than the AstroMaster's f/5, beneficial for wide-field imaging.
    • Finderscope: The ES-ON13449EQ3 includes a 6x30 optical finderscope, a significant upgrade over the StarPointer red-dot finder typically bundled with the AstroMaster 130EQ. The optical finder makes it easier to locate faint guide stars for navigating to deep-sky objects.
    • Eyepieces: This package includes two Plossl eyepieces, which generally offer sharper views and better eye relief than the simpler Kellner or Huygens eyepieces often supplied with entry-level competitors.

  • What can I see with the Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian telescope?

    The 134mm aperture is large enough to show significant detail on the Moon and planets, including the cloud belts of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and the phases of Venus. For deep-sky objects, you can observe bright targets like the Orion Nebula (M42), the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and the Hercules Cluster (M13) from a dark-sky location.

    How does the ES-ON13449EQ3 perform on planetary details like Jupiter's cloud bands?

    With the included 10mm eyepiece providing 65x magnification, you can clearly resolve Jupiter's two main equatorial belts and its four Galilean moons. To bring out more subtle details and view the Great Red Spot, adding a 2x Barlow lens (sold separately) to double the magnification is highly recommended.

    Is the f/4.9 focal ratio of the Explore Scientific 134mm good for imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    Yes, absolutely. The fast f/4.9 focal ratio and 650mm focal length create a wide field of view that is well-suited for framing large deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the Pleiades star cluster (M45). This "fast" system also allows you to capture more light in shorter exposures, which is a major advantage for anyone starting in astrophotography.

    What makes the equatorial mount on the ES-ON13449EQ3 better than a simple camera tripod?

    An equatorial mount is specifically designed to counteract the Earth's rotation. After a simple polar alignment procedure, you only need to turn the single Right Ascension slow-motion control to keep celestial objects centered in the eyepiece. A standard tripod requires constant adjustment in two directions (altitude and azimuth), making it nearly impossible to track objects smoothly at high magnification.

    Do I need to buy other accessories to start using the Explore Scientific 134mm telescope?

    No. The telescope comes with two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a 6x30 finderscope, and the complete mount and tripod. This is everything you need for your first night of observing. Future upgrades might include a Barlow lens for higher magnification and additional eyepieces for more viewing options.

    Is the Explore Scientific 134mm Newtonian difficult to set up?

    Initial assembly is straightforward and typically takes 30-45 minutes. It involves attaching the optical tube, counterweights, and accessory tray. Learning to balance the telescope and perform a polar alignment are key skills for using an equatorial mount, and it is highly recommended to practice these steps during the daytime before your first observing session.

  • SKU ES-ON13449EQ3
    Optical Design Newtonian Reflector
    Aperture 134mm (5.3")
    Focal Length 650mm
    Focal Ratio f/4.9
    Mount Type German Equatorial with Slow-Motion Controls
    Included Eyepiece 1 25mm Plossl (1.25")
    Magnification 1 26x
    Included Eyepiece 2 10mm Plossl (1.25")
    Magnification 2 65x
    Finderscope 6x30 Optical Finderscope

    • 134mm Newtonian Optical Tube Assembly

      × 1

    • Equatorial Mount (EQ3)

      × 1

    • Adjustable-Height Tripod

      × 1

    • 25mm Plossl Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • 10mm Plossl Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • 6x30 Finderscope with Bracket

      × 1

    • Slow-Motion Control Cables

      × 2

    • Accessory Tray

      × 1

    • Counterweight

      × 1

  • Explore Scientific Warranty Policy