Top 5 Hot Selling Telescopes (5 Best Telescopes In 2021)
| Cons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | + Quality Optics + Wireless Remote + TWO-YEAR Warranty | - The Stand is Short | ||
 | + Easy Portability + Best For Imaging + Pleasing Wide-Field | - Headache of Setting Up EQ Mount | ||
 | + Extraordinary Design + Reasonable Price + Durable and Functional | - Limited Mount | ||
 | + Simple to Assemble + Waterproof + Budget-Friendly | - Dust-Sensitive | ||
 | + High Magnification Power + Brighter and Clear View + Connectable to Phone | - Slightly Pricey |
“Remember the feel of being kids and reaching for the stars on starry nights? And on cloudy nights when staying outdoors to watch the sky was impossible, you would lay in your bed and sing the “Twinkle, twinkle, little star rhyme”?”
There was so much peace in that innocence. You could only see the stars from afar off, still you felt like you were one with them.
Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope (Black)
What would you give to experience that again? Only this time, the stars are a bit closer.
All you need is a little cash and readiness to walk to a store or place an order online and you can feed your eyes more closely on the stars with the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial reflector telescope.
Take a look at this review for details on how to tap into this nostalgic experience with this telescope.
Brand’s History
The Orion 09007 telescope belongs to the Orion Telescope & Binoculars brand. Founded in 1975 by Tim Gieseler, the company set out to sell all kinds of astronomical and stargazing gadgets; including various types of binoculars, telescopes, their parts and accessories.
Though the company started out in 1975, it did not achieve the much-coveted recognition until 2005. This period seemed to be a dark age for the brand. One could say that it was because the company chose to sell only astronomical gadgets made under the Orion brand. So those who didn’t want a full gadget or the Orion brand had no need for them.
Note that this company only sells its products; it doesn’t manufacture them. All Orion products are manufactured by Synta, a Chinese company on behalf of the brand. After manufacturing, the products are then shipped to the United States and a few other countries.
However, in 2005 after an acquisition by Imaginova, the company began to sell astronomical accessories by other brands. Ever since the Orion brand has been nothing but a wonder. Its products, especially the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope, tells of the efficiency of the brand.
Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope Review: Features
The Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial reflector telescope is both a telescope and an astrophotography device. This means that you can use this telescope to stare at stars, planets and the crusted part of the moon. At the same time, you could take images of stunning lunar and planetary objects you encounter.
It has a focal ratio of about f/5.0 and a focal length of 650mm. What this means is that when you focus the telescope at infinity, the parallel rays do not divert from the optical axis of the telescope. Instead, it gathers, giving you a wide-field view of the celestial objects.
The product weighs 24.2 pounds on purchase and about 27 lbs on delivery. So it’s light and easy to travel with. You can use it in the comfort of your backdoor and if you want a view with less people and lights, an open field would do.
Generally, telescopes are of two mount types; the Equatorial (EQ) mount or the Altitude/Azimuth (ALT-AZ). EQ mounts require an alignment with the North Pole to be able to function. The ALT-AZ mount’s base is quite flat. It does not require any alignment with the North Pole. However, unlike the EQ mount, after setting up an ALT-AZ mount, the movement is not unidirectional. You will have to move the telescope either from left to right as in Azimuth or up and down as in Altitude, to counter the Earth’s rotation.
The telescope in question has an equatorial mount and while it seems to be a really cool mount, I do approve of it that much. Trust me, it’s not just me. I’ve seen one or two Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial reflector telescope reviews by other experienced stargazers and they agree with me.
An EQ mount is hard to set up. When I say hard, it can be really hard; especially for a person who is just handling a telescope for the first time. But once it’s set up, it’s super easy to use. All you need to do is move it in one direction to track objects.
If you do not mind the stress and headache of setting up an EQ mount, you can go for this product. After all, it was not made for experienced stargazers. It was designed to suit the needs of earnest beginners and a few intermediate users. On purchase, you’ll find an Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial reflector telescope manual that will aid easy assembly of the product. Or you can just ask for an experienced handyman at the store to help you set it up.
Additionally, the telescope’s imaging feature is built with a Starry Night SE Software. What the software does is that it gives you planetary night vision simulations, even on cloudy nights. To access the software’s features, you need a PC running on a Windows 7, 8 or 10 or for Apple users, a Macintosh OS X with a 10.4 version or anything higher, would do.
Take a look at the full features of this product:
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Product Dimension | 24 x 24 x 51 (inches) |
| Item Weight | 24.2lbs |
| Product Weight | 27lbs |
| Focal ratio | f/5.0 |
| Focal length | 650 millimeters |
| EyePiece Lens Description & Qty | Two Plossl Eyepieces |
| Lens Diameter | 130 millimeters |
| Eyepieces Diameter | 25.0mm, 10.0mm |
| Magnification with Plossl Eyepieces | 26x, 65x |
| Lowest Magnification | 19x |
| Highest Magnification | 260x |
| Telescope Mount Type | Equatorial mount |
| Focus Description | Manual Focus |
| Optical design | Reflector |
Accessories
On purchase, this telescope comes with a few Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial reflector telescope accessories. The accessories include:
- Two (2) Sirius Plossl Eyepieces: the eyepieces only serve the purpose of giving you an enhanced field view of about 52° each.
The first eyepiece has a 25mm ocular that has a 26x magnification power, giving objects a sharp and crisp look. The 10mm Plossl on the other hand is a lot more powerful. It gives celestial objects a 65x magnification, bringing them so close to you; you can literally feel your eyes in them. - A finderscope: this accessory helps you fixate your gaze on particular objects. It has a 6×30 dimension that once aligned, allows you to aim at almost everything in space; even the moon.
- A rack and pinion focuser: helps you focus images without having to disrupt the telescope.
- Tripod Accessory tray: to prevent eyepieces from falling, getting scratched or dented, the accessory tray helps you hold them, till you need it.
- Collimation Cap: it allows you to align the mirrors so that the images settle properly.
- Starry Night Astronomy SE Software: gives you starry night simulations regardless of the weather conditions.
Final Verdict
If you are a beginner or a not-so-naive intermediate stargazer, then this telescope is for you. Even experienced astronomers can optimize this product on playful nights.
The Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial reflector telescope price is also commensurate with the purpose it serves. However, if you’re looking to study space on a rather intense level, we suggest that you buy other products within the same price range that are built to serve the purpose of experienced persons.
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