Skywatcher Explorer 130M reflecting telescope

[Sparkle1]

 Hi 

I posted on the binocular forum , but as this is for scopes I thought I would post here too

I am getting my partner a star gazing media for his christmas and have a budget up to £130  

the scope above is £100 second hand, used a few times ( has a torn eyepiece rubber)

would I be better getting this or binoculars for a newbie 

thanks for you time 

[kev100]

Hi,

My advice would be to go for the scope initially. I have a pair of 20x80 binoculars (which I love, and use a lot), and I also had a SkyWatcher 130 telescope. Whilst the binoculars are relatively handy to take out, they tend to be best for 'wide-field' views of the sky (plus the moon), but aren't great on details (such as planets). The telescope, however, should give excellent views of planets (esp Jupiter and Saturn) and the moon, as well as wide-field views of the sky. Although the learning curve with the scope will be greater (setting up, polar alignment, balancing, etc), these will stand him in good stead if he stays with the hobby.

As for the torn eyepiece rubber, I wouldn't worry about that, The Skywatcher eyepieces are pretty rubbish, are cheap to replace, and you'll probably end up ditching them and buying new eyepieces anyway.

Another thing with the scope is that he'll be able to take pictures of the sky, should the desire take him.

Kev.

[glynnlondon]

I have the 130p and havent regretted the purchase it is a great scope. ( the only difference with yours is the mirrors 130p = parobolic and 130m = spherical )

As the mirrors are both 5 inch this will make no difference. 

It gives good views of the planets and brighter deep space objects.

While binoculars are great you will see more with a telescope.

Would also recommend Stellarium - a free computer download and very handy for help in finding things.

[Sparkle1]

thanks to you both for replying, I am being more inclined to getting the scope now 

ps the eye pieces are they generic or would I need to get a skywatcher explorer eye pieces

cheers

[kev100]

Hiya. Eyepieces are a whole other matter. You don't need to buy skywatcher ones, but I wouldn't buy anything for a while, till he gets the hang of it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[craigfoot]

I have the 130, my first scope. . Had it about 18 months and its great, still learning lots but seeing Jupiter and especially Saturn in it is very impressive. .

I did end up with binoculars too, celestron 15x70 as more portable and easier to get out as I don't have a permanent setup of the scope.

I'd get the telescope

[kev100]

Final thought. If you could stretch your budget a little, then a larger scope on a dobsonian mount would be a big improvement over the 130; something like a 6- or 8-inch skywatcher, perhaps. Much easier to get to grips with than the 130's equatorial mount (not that this will be particularly hard to come to terms with). There's a 6-inch here for £150 ...

[NGC 1502]

thanks to you both for replying, I am being more inclined to getting the scope now 

ps the eye pieces are they generic or would I need to get a skywatcher explorer eye pieces

cheers

You do not have to buy Skywatcher eyepieces to fit a Skywatcher scope.   Just check they are the same fitting ( the diameter of the chrome barrel that inserts into the focuser ) and they will work fine.

The Skywatchers come with 1.25" fit eyepieces.

Regards, Ed.