CELESTRON 130EQ OR CELESTRON 76EQ

[lunty7]

Hi guys,

Just been given a Celestron 76EQ for my birthday today. Ive always wanted a telescope and now I have one. But im not too sure if the 130EQ would be better for a little bit more money. I have no clue on these and was thinking the automatic star tracker which comes with the 130EQ would be better for me as I am a complete beginner?

Thanks for reading and you help

Toni.

[misfit]

if you have been given it as a birthday present then use it and get to know it and the skies then look at upgrading when and if you get more into the hobby

oh and welcome

[lunty7]

It was given to me by my partner as he wasnt sure which one to get. He said its upto me what I get and can put extra money towards it. Just wanted to know which is better really?

Thanks for your reply

[misfit]

sorry thought you already had it! im sure someone with experience of these scopes will be along soon but im guessing that the 130eq would be better, what are you hoping to see through your new scope ?

[lunty7]

I do already have it but its still boxed, unopened and have the receipt. I cant see on the website much difference between the two but I dont know what im looking for. Id like to see the moon, some close stars and planets anything really.

[M4lcs67]

I would personally get the 130 then. The greater light grasp is much much better and in the long run will give you better views than that of the smaller scope.

[Prador]

Hi lunty7,

+1 for the larger scope

[lunty7]

So for the 130 you can see alot more thats what you are saying? Ive also seen it being sold as the 130 EQ-MD which is more expensive, what is this?

Thanks again guys

[lunty7]

Or better still is there a different sort of telescope I could get for the same sort of thing? I think my partner only got the celestron astromaster 76eq because he got it from currys and could pick it up.

thanks Toni

[Helite]

As someone who recently had a similar scope (127eq) I would definitely go with the 130EQ over the 76EQ. The 130EQ-MD is a motor driven mount, it will track the stars for you, saves you having to manually adjust as things drift across the eyepiece, I would have loved that on my first mount but its not a necessity, If its only a few quid more I would have it, I see on amazon it is only about 25 pound more than the non-driven mount which is decent . Whatever you pick im sure you will have fun.

[brantuk]

The 130EQ-MD is a very respectable performer and will show you a lot more than the 76 simply because of it's wider aperture and greater "light grasp". It will show you everything you mention, and more.

A motor drive is very useful - once you point the scope at an object and engage the drive - it will track your object keeping it in the eyepiece for around 15-20 mins without drifting off. You may need to tweak the Dec axis now and then manually though - and you will have to learn how to polar align the mount for it to track properly.

Congrats on your birthday - but do tell him not to use Currys for astronomy gear lol. Much better going to a proper astro retailer. Hope that helps