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

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.