Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope Review

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope

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$371.90
$285.96
 in stock
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as of December 7, 2024 11:53 am
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Review Card
  • Manufacturer - 9.9/10
    9.9/10
  • Optics - 9.8/10
    9.8/10
  • Value - 9.7/10
    9.7/10
9.8/10

Summary

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ from Celestron is one of the best telescopes for beginners. It has one of the best price to value ratio. You get to see fantastic images of the Moon, planets as far away as Jupiter and Saturn and as well deep sky objects.

Like all AstroMaster telescopes it’s a quick and easy setup telescope. It comes with a pre-assembled tripod with 1.25″ steel tube legs and a German Equatorial mount with Setting circles to help accurately locate and track sky objects. The erect image optics make this telescope ideal for both terrestrial and astronomical viewing.

The package also includes the “The Sky” Level 1 planetarium software with was a 10,000 objects database and an accessory tray to conveniently store the accessories. A battery is also included for the finderscope.

It weighs 28 lbs which doesn’t make the 130EQ a portable backpacking telescope.

Astromaster Range Comparison

Celestron - AstroMaster 102AZ Refractor Telescope - Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package & AstroMaster Telescope Accessory Kit
Celestron – AstroMaster LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope – Easy-to-Use Telescope for Beginners with Full-Height Tripod Included – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 102AZ Refractor Telescope - Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package & AstroMaster Telescope Accessory Kit
Celestron – AstroMaster LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope – Easy-to-Use Telescope for Beginners with Full-Height Tripod Included – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
$279.69
$319.95
$329.99
$237.48
$133.33
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Celestron - AstroMaster 102AZ Refractor Telescope - Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 102AZ Refractor Telescope - Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
$279.69
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Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
$319.95
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Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
$329.99
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Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package & AstroMaster Telescope Accessory Kit
Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package & AstroMaster Telescope Accessory Kit
$237.48
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Celestron – AstroMaster LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope – Easy-to-Use Telescope for Beginners with Full-Height Tripod Included – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
Celestron – AstroMaster LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope – Easy-to-Use Telescope for Beginners with Full-Height Tripod Included – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
$133.33
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Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Optical Tube

Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ strong points:

After reviewing this telescope we’ve come to the conclusion that the equatorial mount and the build-on StarPointer finderscope are the strong points of this telescope which help a lot when you use the telescope for start gazing as well as terrestrial viewing. The all coated glass optics have to be added as a strong point as they add to the clear and crisp images that this telescopes can produce.

Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ weak points:

The tripod is made out of light steel tubes and at certain times it will not give off a strong sense of being as sturdy as a telescopes tripod should.

The second weak point would have to be it’s price point and having it compared with other telescopes the price/value ratio is slightly, just slightly better in favor of other models, but the others don’t come with an equatorial mount or finderscopes so here it’s just a matter of personal preference and needs.

Full Technical Specifications

Optical DesignReflector
Aperture130 mm (5.12 in)
Focal Length650 mm (25.59 in)
Focal Ratio5
Eyepiece 120mm (0.79 in)
Magnification 133 x
Eyepiece 210 mm (0.39 in)
Magnification 265 x
MountCG-3 Equatorial
Optical CoatingsAluminum
Weight28 lb (12.7 kg)
FinderscopeBuilt-on StarPointer
Tube AttachementDovetail Bar
Star Diagonal
Tripod1.25″ steel tube legs
CD ROMThe Sky L1
Highest Useful Magnification307 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude13.1
Resolution (Rayleigh)1.07 arcsec
Resolution (Dawes)0.89 arcsec
Light Gathering Power345 x
Angular Field of View1.5
Linear Field of View (@1000 yds)79 ft (24.08 m)
Optical Tube Length24 in (609.6 mm)
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