simple explanations required please.

[lfc t]

Can you please explain in simple terms why the celestron nexstar 127slt costs more than the 130slt.

i know the 127 is a muksutov cassegrain and the 130 is a refractor.

the 127 has a focal length of 1500mm and the 130 is only 650mm.

At the moment i'm finding it all a little confusing.

Is the 127 better than the 130?

[John]

The 130 is a newtonian reflector and the optics are easier to make than a maksutov-cassegrain. The latter type has more optical surfaces to grind to a precise figure.

They are both good scope designs and both with their strengths and weaknesses, like all scopes. The mak-cass is particularly good for planetary / lunar viewing but has a relatively narrow view. The newtonian can deliver a wider view but is not quite so good at the planetary and lunar stuff. Wide views are nice for finding and viewing deep sky objects some of which are surprisingly large.

[lfc t]

Thanks john. All this info about focal length and fast scopes isn't really making much sense to me at the moment. I think i'm gonna stick to getting the 130.

[richbyers]

simply

a long focal length will make things larger

a large aperture (fast) scope will make things brighter and all you to 'push' the scope with higher magnification eyepieces

its generally regarded that aperture is the key of the two, though they obviously go hand in hand

[Qualia]

These links may be of some use?

http://stargazerslounge.com/beginners-help-advice/166004-celestron-nexstar-127-slt-nexstar-130-slt.html

http://stargazerslounge.com/discussions-scopes-whole-setups/151315-celestron-nexstar-127-slt-mak-130-slt-reflector.html

http://www.astronomyforum.net/astronomy-beginners-forum/128857-celeston-nexstar-first-telescope-130slt-vs-127slt.html

[lfc t]

Thanks Qualia