Sky-Watcher StarQuest 130p - Setup & first Impressions!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- A look at the new SkyWatcher StarQuest 130p. Not just an unboxing! I also run through how best to set up the telescope plus my initial thoughts. This telescope has a hidden talent!
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Thank you for a clear, informative overview of this scope.
Brilliant and very informative video. I've just bought this telescope (from FLO) for my daughter as her first telescope, so looking forward to setting it up and using it.
Thank you! And I hope you both enjoy your astronomy journey. I have a more long term pros and cons review for this telescope below which might be useful? th-cam.com/video/GHdDs2PLIrk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for this. I've bought it and followed your instructions. I was lucky enough to have a clear night and am really pleased with the telescope.
That's fantastic to hear! I hope you continue to enjoy the scope, I'm sure you will :)
@@Astrolavista Hello again. Can I pick your brains? You mentioned in the video that you were going to try out the motor with it. Did you do that? Also, I bought it for sky watching (and wish I had it sooner to catch Jupiter and Saturn together which we watched with the naked eye) but could I add an erect image eyepiece to use it in daytime?
@@alisdairmacdonald3550 If you click on my avatar it will take you to my channel page where you can find a couple of reviews for the 102R version of the Starquest where I use the motor drive for some basic imaging.
Here's one of the videos: th-cam.com/video/CyGVAJtn1fw/w-d-xo.html
Newtonian's aren't designed to be used with diagonals so I'm not sure there would be enough focus travel without modifying the telescope by shortening the focuser and moving the primary mirror further up the tube. The only time I've seen a diagonal used for a Newtonian is when people strap two of the things together to make giant Newtonian binoculars. E.g. arieotte-binoscopes.nl/Merging%20of%20the%20Images.htm
@@Astrolavista Thanks
Really helpful video for me as an absolute beginner! Thanks to advice from a friend I've settled on this telescope but was finding actually putting together extremely daunting - haven't bought it yet - but this will be great to follow as I unpack it. My friend has suggested that I use it as Alt/az so if possible could you explain just how I do that - I saw you do it but I'm still not very confident about it. Also watched your review video & that was brilliant as well. Many thanks.
Glad it helped! and to place the mount into alt/az mode you loosen the alt axis (latitude axis) and move it so it's vertical and lock it in that position...job done other than to move the telescope tube round in the rings so you can comfortably reach the eyepiece. Thanks so much for watching, and wishing you memorable views with your telescope when you get it.
@@Astrolavista thanks, er, forgive my uncertainty but which one is which! I feel horribly ignorant as I haven't got it yet. From memory of your video one is what I would 'sideways" positioned (up & down) & the other is "flat" . I'll watch the video again later, got to take my dog for hydrotherapy this morning. Thanks for your help.😊
Hi la vista, this scope is really good except for the mount, just a little touch, it make a huge wobbly. Any mods to fix this issue?
Hi, you can buy anti vibration pads which help, or add some weight to the tripod tray. It's the same issue for most light weight aluminium tripods: www.firstlightoptics.com/misc/astro-essentials-tripod-vibration-suppression-pads-vsp/ref/astrolavista/
Which mount would be better, eq 2 or star quest mount?
Hi
Did you notice any difference in image quality compared with skywatcher maksutov 102 mm?thanks👋👋
Both very different optics so yes. The Newtonian has a much wider low power field of view for a given eyepiece compared to the Maksutov, and he Newtonian has spider veins supporting the secondary mirror which produce diffraction spikes on bright stars, whereas the Maksutov doesn't have these. The Mak is better for the Moon and planets and the 130P Newtonian is better for deep sky objects.
Hey thanks for the review. Is it possible to fit a dslr camera to this eyepiece? Mainly for nice moon shots or perhaps planets. It probably cant do long exposure astro photos with the motor i presume? If not what else would you suggest? Sorry for all the questions!
Sorry for the late reply! I've had a run of long shifts and trying to catch up lol You can attach a DSLR with a T-ring and T-adaptor but it might not reach focus with this telescope. However, a DLSR isn't the best type of camera for planets and the Moon, you would be much better off with an astronomy camera like the ZWO 120MC which fits into the focuser like an eyepiece and plugs into your laptop. You capture film of the planets using free software called SharpCap and you can stack the frames together to get really good detail. Have a look though my videos, I have loads of videos where I'm doing exactly this :) Here's a link to an example of the type of camera I mean: www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi120mc-s-usb-3-colour-camera/ref/diyastro/
@@Astrolavista thanks! I think you've saved me some trouble there!
That's a very nasty friction in the bushings, wonder if it could be disassembled and regreased
Folks often do exactly that with Synta (Skywatcher/Celestron) mounts :)
How does one properly polar align this model?
Hi. As an entry level EQ mount I think the idea is that you just point the RA axis north at the latitude for your location. This should be good enough for observing and lunar planetary imaging. Anything beyond that i.e. long exposure DSO imaging where accurate polar alignment is required would need something a bit more up market with a polar scope and encoders, autoguiding etc. However, if someone did want to try DSO imaging with this model, they could try something called drift aligning. There are tutorials for this online.
Very good video. As a beginner which one is better for a beginner? The Mak or the Refractor or the Reflector? In your opinion of course
Hi Yogi. I can tell you some of the strengths and weaknesses of each:
The 130p is the cheapest, has the largest aperture thus probably better at showing fainter deep sky objects, and at 650mm focal length and zero chromatic aberration (purple fringing) it's a pretty good all round telescope. The only downside for me is the spider veins holding the secondary mirror produce spikes on the images of bright stars and even planets, and the central obstruction of the seconday mirror reduces contrast compared to a refractor which doesn't have any obsruction in the light path.
The Maksutov is the best option if you mainly want to view and image the Moon and planets. It has lots of focal length to get 'up and close to objects' but a narrower field of view. There isn't any purple fringing or spider veins producing spikes on bright objects but it's aperture is less than the 130p and the field of view is narrower, so not so good for deep sky object other than bright planetary nebula and globular clusters. The thick front corrector plate on Maksutovs mean that getting a dew shield is required to stop the optics fogging up in humid conditions.
The achromatic refractor has the best contrast and the sharpest star images (purple fringing aside). It's probably the best option for low power wide views of open clusters and deep sky objects like the great Orion nebula, the seven sisters, and the Andromeda galaxy. It's shorter focal length and tendency to show purple fringing at high magnification means it is not the best option for planets (long focal length refractors are very good on planets though). I personally think refractors give the 'prettiest' images of space at the eyepiece especially Apochomatic ED refractors which use special glass to correct any purple fringing, but they are more expensive.
As you can see from the above, they all have their strengths and weakness, and it just depends on which suits your interests. The best alrounder is probably the 130p, the best on planets and the Moon is the Mak, and the best for wider low power views is the refractor. All in my opinion of course, but these views are echoed by many on the forums like Stargazers Lounge and Cloudy Nights.
I hope that helps :)
DIY Astronomy - thanks mate I think I’m going to go for the Mak (if I can get hold of one all seemed sold out at the moment) 👍
Hi DIY - hope your well. In the Starwatcher Mak 102 version of this Starquest product what’s the difference with your review of the Mak 102 Skymax AZ product ? Why the difference in price I.e. £210 for the Starquest v £265 for the Skymax. Look forward to hearing from you
The optics will be the same, both 1300mm focal length f13 Maksutov's, both made in the same Synta factory in China. The livery is different, black vs white, and the Skymax has the harder to use 6x30mm finder as apposed to the red dot finder of the SkyQuest. The red dot finder is easier to use in my opinion. Mount wise the AZ pronto is slightly more grab n go and quicker and slightly easier to set up and use, but you can't add a motor drive to the AZ pronto so it won't track the sky. It just moves up down left right via the friction clutches and the slow motion controls. The SkyQuest is pretty cool in that you can use it like the AZ pronto in alt/az mode and in equatorial mode to track with the rotation of the Earth. For 210 the Skyquest Mak is an absolute bargain, you could pay that just for the optical tube! I would pick the Skyquest with out hesitation, it's cheaper, and has the better finder and much better mount :)
DIY Astronomy - thanks DIY much appreciated 👍
DIY Astronomy - as a beginner (really) what would be better for me in your opinion, the 102 Mak or the 102R Refractor? I’m looking for grab and go , astronomical only, and want a little bit of an all rounder (I.e planets , moon and deep sky) with the ability for future upgrades and photo / video cababilities ? Would really welcome your thoughts👍
It's white with a greenish tinge/ You don't think perhaps it's the green walls causing that "tinge: do you?
I'm not sure I said this lol? The OTA is white with green accents on the dovetail bar which is a new livery for Skywatcher. Years ago Skywatcher were light blue and black, then they switched to the black diamond livery the 130p goto you're considering will be, now they are starting to produce a nice classic white livery with green accents on the badging and dovetail, setting circles on mounts etc. I like this latest livery the best :)
Would you consider this a good option for a total beginner? Or do you have a better option at same price range?
For a total beginner it's hard to look past a Dobsonian telescope. These give you the most optics for your money and use a very simple but sturdy mount that simply moves up down left and right. Very simple to use! I'll give an example of one in the same price bracket below (I own the same optical tube and the optics are seriously good!) www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html
@@Astrolavista does that include a stand for it, or do I have to build my own?
@@pippifpv yes it includes a mount as per the picture on the link. They often ship flat pack though so you would need to screw several panels together to put it the mount together. The best thing you can do as a beginner if unsure is to contact your local astronomy club where you can play with different types of telescope. Also I would very much recommend joining an online astronomy forum such as Stargazers lounge or cloudy nights. You can ask a ton of questions there and get advice from ameauture astronomers collectively 🙂
Deciding between this and the Sky Watcher explorer 130p. Do you have any preference? I am a complete beginner!
Hi Emma, the above model is effectively the new version of the Explorer 130p. They both have the same optics (130mm f/5 Newtonian reflector) which are very good. They both have the same ali tripod, which will drive you nuts from the vibrations (but this is the same with most entry level telescopes). The big difference is the mount head which has been improved (a bit more heavy duty, can now be used in alt/az mode, and the clutches for both the axis are easier to find and use in the dark) You can attach a motor drive to either telescope so they can automatically track with the Earth's rotation (once polar aligned) The both come with the same accessories. I'd go for the Skyquest 130p though for it's improved mount head.
p.s. the SkyQuest also has a factory collimated primary mirror so you don't need to worry about aligning the mirrors if the telescope has a knock in transit, it should stay collimated.
@@Astrolavista I'm currently looking to buy the SKYWATCHER STAR EXPLORER 130p . It comes with the GoTo mount. One way to stop those wobbles is hanging a heavy weight from the center of the tripod or simply place a weight lifter's weight on the tray between the legs of the tripod. Obviously you don't want too much, but a few Kg will do the job. Keeping the legs as short as possible can also help.
@@propfella All good tips, another is to buy some anti vibration pads to place under the tripod feet. They can be quite expensive but you can get much cheaper unbranded ones from ebay.
Hello!! A M A Z I N G V I D E O!!! you really helped me. I just want to ask something. Is it possible to connect this telescope with an app for example Stellarium ?
So is it possible to connect this telescope with stellarium? I am asking this because I am one step before buying it
Glad it was helpful Jenny. You can add a basic motor drive for simple tracking but you would need a computerised goto mount for phone app control.
The most affordable route might be the Sky-Watcher AZ GTI range of telescopes:
www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/ref/astrolavista/
These use the Syncan app which is free to download so you can take a look.
@@Astrolavista thank you so much. Your advices mean everything to me. You are a great person
hi I'm new to astronomy how wold you compare this to the Skyhawk 114
many thanks
Hi Ryan, The Starquest is basically a more modern version with a more refined mount and more aperture, so the Starquest 130p is a little bit better
@@Astrolavista thank you I've been looking at both they don't seem to be available anywhere at the moment but they seem good value for money so hopefully they will be back in stock soon