Would this be a good first telescope

[Pixel]

I am getting into this hobby, however I am not sure if this is a good first choice telescope, I have some doubt because this is an old telescope but I'm wondering if it matters that it is old model, since this is my first scope. I read that this is a good starting scope but I'm wondering if there is any newer option that is better than this, in a similar price range. (I'm 14 and I need something to last a few years since I do not have much money.)

note- this is a reflector telescope
Scope: Skywatcher Explorer 130 EQ2
Specs: Magnifications (with optics supplied): x36, x72, x90, x180
           Highest Practical Power (Potential): x260
           Diameter of Primary mirror: 130mm
           Telescope Focal Length: 900mm (f/6.92)
           Eyepieces Supplied (1.25"): 10mm & 25mm
           x2 Barrow lens
           red dot finder
           EQ2 Equatorial Mount
           Aluminium Tripod with Accessory Tray

Thanks.

[Stu]

Is this a new or used scope?

The 130 scope in itself is a nice little scope, but the mount is potential in the wobbly side, and an EQ mount is not necessarily the easiest start for visual astronomy.

What sort of budget do you have available?

[Bonnylad]

Hi, Pixel, and welcome to SGL. You'll get lots of sound advice here.

All I'll chip in with is have you considered a Dobsonian mount? Still get a 130 scope, but cheaper mount so money left for something else. Depends on what you want to do with the scope.

Enjoy.

[Dave In Vermont]

What variety of objects up there interest you the most? This information will tell me, and others, what sort of mount would be best for you. I agree with Stu that an EQ - equatorial-mount might not be the best for a first scope, especially if you're thinking of visual observing.

Oh - and welcome to SGL. You're in a very good place for loads of information. All you need to do is ask! We love helping our fellow astronomy enthusiasts.

Enjoy -

Dave

[Pixel]

10 minutes ago, Dave In Vermont said:

What variety of objects up there interest you the most? This information will tell me, and others, what sort of mount would be best for you. I agree with Stu that an EQ - equatorial-mount might not be the best for a first scope, especially if you're thinking of visual observing.

Oh - and welcome to SGL. You're in a very good place for loads of information. All you need to do is ask! We love helping our fellow astronomy enthusiasts.

Enjoy -

Dave

I would like to observe, Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, not so much stars though. 

[Chris]

Hi Pixel welcome to SGL  What about something like these:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-100p-tabletop-dobsonian.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-mercury-705.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-102-az3.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromaster-series/celestron-astromaster-70az.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromaster-series/astromaster-90az-telescope.html

All on a budget, but FLO only stock what works. 

The first 4 links would be the most stable mount wise, the last two would have the best optics out of the refractors, and the first two would be stable and have very good optics but you would need a table to plonk them on, plus you would need to learn about collimating which is where you check that the mirrors are alligned correctly (you don't need to do this with refractors generally).

All good choices for different reasons with the caveat that you generally get what you pay for.

Edit: Ooh I forgot about this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-90-az3.html

I've owned this one and it was very good for the money, great for a beginner I would say

 

[wimvb]

I think the scope is great as a starter scope. People here also use it for astrophotography with excellent results (check the beginner imaging section).

The mount may be a problem. It's probably ok for viewing larger targets (moon, andromeda galaxy, great nebula in Orion, etc), but not so once you need to increase magnification.

Since the mount does not have motors and "goto", you will need to find your targets through "star hopping", moving from bright star to bright star to target. For this, a so called Alt-Az or dobsonian mount is easier. It will also take less time to set up, which is a huge advantage, because clouds are the main cause of frustration in this hobby.

[johnfosteruk]

As a user of that very scope I can 100% confirm that the mount is a sloppy wobbly mess. It's usable for visual and even planetary/lunar imaging but it takes a lot of work and the wobble makes focusing a complete swine. 

You can, with varying amounts of effort get around some of the issues like sand in the tripod legs or weight on the accessory tray to alleviate the wobble. Just like the amount of effort the results vary though... Especially if you're using a heavy eyepiece    

Needless to say I will be upgrading my mount soon (after about 10 months but wanted to since day 1)

I would say go with one of the sturdier altaz mounts like others have said. If you do go for imaging later and buy an EQ you'll still want the altaz for a grab n go for quick sessions/holidays etc. 

If you're comfortable with colloimation the scope is a little gem. It's not, as the last poster said the one use for astrophotography - that's the 130pds which has a parabolic mirror and 650mm focal length. 

The tube you're looking at and the one I have use a spherical mirror and 900mm focal length but give an admirable performance for the money.

best of luck and enjoy the hobby. 

[Putaendo Patrick]

Skywatcher produce at least three tripod mounted 130mm reflectors; the 130, the 130p and the 130p-ds as well as a version of the 130 with motors.

The 130 is the most basic and has a spherical mirror. With  focal length of 900mm, this is adequate but arguably not as good as a parabolic mirror.

The 130p has the parabolic mirror and and the 130p-DS is a modified version for astrophotography (I think this is the one wimvb is refering to above).

The EQ2 mount, as said, is not the most stable - and frankly you probably don't need it.

If you can scrape together a little more money (maybe a birthday coming up, and Christmas really isn't so far away...), the scope I would recommend is the Skywatcher Skyliner 150P reflector on a Dobsonian mount at 179 pounds. The 150mm aperture parabolic will be a great improvement and the Dobsonian mount is much simpler to use. It will certainly give you several years of excellent visual observation - and in fact may last you a lifetime depending on where you chose to go in this hobby. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

I think my second choice would be the Skywatcher Heritage 130p - these are very good indeed for the price, and their compact size makes them ideal for travelling. Several forum members here who have much larger and more expensive telescopes, also have the Heritage as a quick grab-and-go telescope. Be aware, however, that with a 650mm focal length, it is more difficult to achieve higher magnifications so this is perhaps not an ideal scope for lunar and planetary observation. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html

If you have patience (difficult, I know), you may find a good telescope secondhand, keep an eye on the classified adverts here, and perhaps take a look at http://www.astrobuysell.com

If you enjoy some quite simple woodworking, have the skills to work reasonably precisely, and have access to basic carpentry tools (and perhaps an adult to supervise a bit), another option would be to buy a secondhand telescope tube (often called an OTA, optical tube assembly) and make your own Dobsonian mount. Lots of instructions on the internet, and plenty of people here who can give advice!

(There's a bit of overlap here with johnfosteruk's post above, but I'll leave it as it is).

[Uplooker]

Very good info and suggestions above. Personally I would avoid the SW130 and go for the P or PDS because of the spherical primary

[Uplooker]

Further to my earlier post, it is possible to differentiate the 130 scope with the spherical and parabaloid primary as the spherical primary scope has a focal length of 900mm the other has a f/l of 650mm

[RobertI]

Welocme to SGL. I had to find a telescope for a friend recently who was also a beginner and, after much discussion, we ended up with this: 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

A little more expensive than the one you are looking at but a larger aperture (more light gathering power), a more stable mount and should be excellent for planets, galaxies and nebulae. Also I'm a little biased as my first ever scope (when I was the same age as you) was a six inch reflector and it was fantastic.  

[johnfosteruk]

8 hours ago, wimvb said:

I stand corrected

Hope I didn't offend, was on the hop and was probably a little terser than I should have been.

[ronin]

The mount is not that good, as many have indicated. One "problem" of it is that although an equitorial there is no provision for a polar scope so polar aligning is more guesswork then anything.

The scope is at least "honest" in that it is not a bird-jones design. The focal length and the tube length match up. The maximum magnification will not be 260x, more like 150x. Reality and marketing do not match up.

A lot depends on your expectations. It is one of those things that a poor scope will put people off this hobby and they rarely return. The EQ2 mount is the item that could put you off.

Where in the UK are you? A bit more precise location helps a lot. Even if it just to suggest a club in the area. It helps enormously top see some equipment first.

The idea of the 150 dobsonian is a good one but they are it seems about £40 more then the 130. If the additional budget can be raised then really consider that.

If it is visual only then an Alt/Az mount would likely be easier to use, that however would mean a change to the scope.

[wimvb]

1 hour ago, johnfosteruk said:

Hope I didn't offend, was on the hop and was probably a little terser than I should have been.

No not at all. I should have read more carefully before responding to the op. The 130 imaging thread is for the shorter fl. I was too quick on the keyboard. Thanks for pointing this out.