Celestron Zhumell ZHUS003-1 Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope, Black

Product Information

The FlexTube 200P has similar deluxe pricing to the GSO-Deluxe, but has slightly inferior accessories. A 25mm and 10mm Plossl eyepiece work fine in this scope, providing 48x and 120x, respectively. The finder is a big 8×50 right-angle-finder, but it’s actually not a right-angle-correct-image finder–the diagonal is a mirror instead of a prism, so the view is annoyingly mirrored. There is no fan and no collimating device. The XT8 Classic is priced in the budget category, and aside from the red dot finder replacing a real finderscope, it holds its own against the Apertura DT8, using the same bearing style and a similar focuser. It also has just one eyepiece, a 25mm Plossl. The Ten and Twelve Inch Dobsonians: As a reminder, when we discuss telescopes, the important number is the aperture, or in this case, the diameter of the primary mirror. The StarBlast 6 is currently my #1 choice. I understand it is the largest of the three with the highest performance. Everything about it looks suitable for our use.

The SkyWatcher Classic 150P (the P is for “parabolic,” as all of these mirrors are) does almost all of what the DT6 does, but you get two eyepieces (some moderately good 25mm and 10mm modified achromats, which aren’t quite as good as the single 25mm Plossl, but provide a wider range of magnifications–48x and 120x). Those two brands are just two names for the exact same telescope and is the best dobsonian telescope in the 8″ aperture group. The Apertura AD8 and the Zhumell Z8 differ only in name; they are exactly identical in every other way–same optics, same accessories, same quality, same appearance aside from the logos. Beware that they do differ in price and availability, though! The Orion-SkyLine, Zhumell, and Apertura Dobsonians are both sourced from Guan Sheng Optical in Taiwan, and outside of the USA, they’re usually marketed under the GSO Deluxe Dobsonian label (albeit with a different paint job and sometimes different accessories). I own the Z130. Yeah the cover is also an extra obstacle to get to the collimation screws. And we lose the easier to use thumbscrews that the Z130's sister has. I'm pretty sure that the Z130 and Meade 130 Lightbridge come out of the same factory. They're more alike than different.A 32mm GSO plossl: https://agenaastro.c...l-eyepiece.html (will give you roughly the widest TFOV possible, and a bright exit pupil. Would be used as a finder eyepiece to star hop with, in conjunction with the red dot sight). The XT6 weighs 34 lbs fully assembled, making it actually the lightest of the commercial 6″ Dobsonian telescopes. If shaving off six pounds over the skywatcher or four pounds over the DT6 makes a difference to you, consider the SkyQuest XT6. Just be careful you don’t bang the focuser on the door when you’re taking the telescope outside. If a 2 inch focuser is desired, it's probably better just to buy a 6 inch F/5 or F/6 with a 2 inch focuser and buy the mount separately. Interesting reading. Obviously an individuals wants/ needs dictate "the best choice". An important consideration was fit within our trailer space and the expected use of this piece of gear. I also had to keep in mind this is a gift for my wife (not me). The Starsense feature is perfect for her. The Z130 is a great scope, and being a relatively new product not many of them have been able to waste away in neglect, so you’re unlikely to find a used one in poor condition. A missing base is not a problem in the slightest, as the Z130 can fit on other mounts with its dovetail plate. Damaged mirror coatings are unfortunately not worth repairing, however, as recoating the optics costs almost as much as the Z130 itself. Dents to the tube that don’t affect the installation of any hardware can be safely ignored. Missing eyepieces can also be replaced, though this can get expensive fast. Alternative Recommendations

In short you should be able to see saturn and its ring nearer it max useable magnification of around 150 – 170x, although don’t expect details like the hubble telescope can show (for obvious reasons). Zhumell Telescopes have been a customer favorite since the company's first Dobsonian telescope exploded onto the amateur astronomy scene. Zhumell binoculars, telescopes, and accessories consistently earn high marks from reviewers for uncompromising optical quality at affordable prices. Zhumell includes great accessories with the Z8 too, with a 2” 30mm eyepiece for wide field views and a 1. 25” 9mm eyepieces, dual-speed focuser, a 9×50 finderscope with the normal books and guides.To me, portability between a table-top dob and a full sized 6" is a toss-up when you consider what you need to bring with you to put the table-top dob on. Travelability was a must. The XT4.5 is small. Everyone who knows me knows I love small. Small wallet, small phone, small car, small diaper bag. I just like things super tiny. The accessories in the box include one 1.25″ plossl eyepieces with a wider 25mm (48x), a 2x Barlow lens, a red dot finderscope and a solar filter. Other than the finderscope which isn’t the best the other items are good enough as starter gear . With that being said expect to upgrade these if you want to maximise the XT6’s performance. I do not recommend SCTs or Maksutov's, generally, because of their inherent small true field of view they throw up. One can get focal reducers, and the Celestron F/6.3 one works, but you're not getting the kind of TFOV that a shorter focal length, smaller aperture newtonian or refractor can produce. And that matters, especially for camping. But the Z130 with the Celestron 25mm X-Cel LX 25mm eyepiece would yield a nice 2.2º TFOV, so not half bad. Of course, the 2" APM 30mm UFF in the C150XLT would yield a 2.78º TFOV with a more penetrating vista, given the extra photons the 150mm mirror would throw up. This is something you'd especially appreciate on targets like the Andromeda galaxy complex, Veil Nebula, Double Cluster, Pleiades, Coathanger, and any of a number of wide angle targets that would come to life in the wider field.

Magnification wise, you’ll be able to see around a 250x range which should the usable rate although in theory 300x should be possible with this skyquest telescope. An 8″ dobsonian telescope has enough aperture to keep you busy for a long time, maybe forever. Some people never feel the need to use a larger telescope, and those that do will probably want an eight incher anyway. It is probably the most agreed-upon best compromise in weight/bulk versus light gathering, and they have very nice, sharp optics which will show fantastic detail in the moon and planets without being thwarted by turbulent air/seeing conditions. Spec wise it has an aperture of 114mm, a focal length of 465mm resulting in a very fast and wide focal ratio of f/4.07. This means that the Z114 will show great wider field observations and whilst also also magnifying upto 228x making a competent telescope for planetary viewing.I know you're asking on the reflector forum, but have you considered something like a 6" SCT or MCT? They're generally a little more compact than a newt which is a bonus for camping, but the mount would probably be larger so maybe it's break even on space... The big bonus though would be that attaching a 2" diagonal could be quite easy compared to replacing the entire focuser of a newt for 2" eyepieces. If you don't care about 2" eyepieces though, go with the StarBlast 6 and enjoy it! Zhumell also offers a range of great beginner telescopes for under 200 dollars that make ideal gifts for astronomers young and old, plus a selection of quality astronomical binoculars and tripods. The Zhumell Z114 is cheaper, and you get what you pay for. Still a good deal at that price, but creeping into the edge of “toy” territory. The Orion StarBlast 4.5 is identical to the Z114 but usually is more expensive. The bearings of the GSO-Deluxe dobs are also a weird and unique design using roller bearings and tension adjustment knobs. The bearings can also be repositioned slightly to balance the Dobsonian when using heavy eyepieces. The star blast 6, unfortunately, has the same focuser. Don't have experience with the heritage, but have a truss dob and you'll need a shroud for that heritage as an extra just in case there is a lamp or fire roaring someplace near by.