$400 off Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT Computerised Telescope - Just $799 in Store until June 20

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  mightyboy on 06/06/2010 - 15:40

  This doesn't allow you to see the results in a window on your computer though does it? That's what I'd like!

  • 

    systmworks on 06/06/2010 - 17:07

    Not directly but it comes with software so you can control the scope from your computer (click on an object on screen and the scope will move to find it). You do need to buy or make the RS232 serial cable, which uses an RJ11 or similar telephone plug to connect to the scope.

    The feature you are talking about requires a camera which you can easily add as an accessory for as little as $150 (or cheaper if you make your own from a Webcam) and sits in place of an eyepiece and connects to your computer via USB. You can see an example of this in the review link at the bottom.

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  quarrymaster on 06/06/2010 - 16:10

  Only downside is I can't get to use one of these where I live. Celestron is a fantastic brand, but not sure if it's gone cheap in the last couple of decades or have gone from strength to strength.

  • 

    systmworks on 06/06/2010 - 17:46

    How come ? Light polution or not enough suitable space to set up ?

    Keeping it at a friends/relatives place might be the go… its my plan as my house has too many trees etc.

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  Untameable on 06/06/2010 - 16:21

  -1

  When it comes to telescopes, size is the most important factor. This is only 5" where you would really want 8" or more.

  I would rather buy a no-name 8" for the same price or less (it won't be computerised), the image will still blow this one away. Or, save up 3x as much and buy a variant of the Cassegrain style (so it will be 8", computerised, and still compact like this).

  It also pays to think about if and how you can attach a camera beforehand. Because once you see through one, you'll wish you could take a picture, and it's rarely possible without forethought (or lots of engineering know-how).

  Unfortunately when it comes to telescopes there's not much middle ground. Spending less than ~$4k will largely leave you disappointed.

  • 

    systmworks on 06/06/2010 - 17:43

    +3

    mmm I agree a much larger scope has better light gathering ability for faint/deep sky objects, and that for 3 or 4 times the price you can probably get a better scope (I should hope so!!)

    However both your examples are so far removed in comparison, can they justify a negative vote on this deal ?

    • this scope is large enough to see a range of faint/deep sky objects such as galaxies etc. Sure a 10" would be better… but then a 20" would beat your 10"… and a 300" would beat that..

    • this scope includes a computer so can do many things a "no name 8in non-computerised" cannot.. most importantly it allows a person of any ability to find thousands of objects they would struggle to ever find manaully by pointing and shooting.. and the auto-tracking allows for easy astrophotography with a suitable camera..

    • surely anything that requires 3 times the price to beat this must make this a bargain for the features it does offer ?

    If you are aware of any similar specification/feature telescopes (especially a decent brand, with 2 year Aussie warranty) anywhere near this price then please let me know as I am on the lookout and so far this is trumps..

    • 

      Elephant on 06/06/2010 - 18:57

      +1

      You can get a 10" Dobsonian for the same price locally with local warranty. An 8" one can be had for $550.

      If you are interested in getting into astronomy, you are much, much better off getting something like that.

      They are very easy to use, and a planisphere is equally easy to use. You will learn where all the good things are with some patience, and the views through an 8" or 10" will be all the encouragement you need :) Low quality 5" scopes aren't very impressive IMO.

      If you want to get into astrophotography, you will be throwing away your money on this scope.

      However, that's not necessarily a reason to neg this though. Someone might be looking for it, and it does have a fair whack off the RRP. I will note that it has been this price at Andrews Communications for a while( http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm ) but Australian Geographic certainly has more coverage for ozbargainers.

      Check out http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/ if you are interested in getting into astronomy. They're very helpful for beginners.

      • 

        AntMan76 on 06/06/2010 - 21:00

        +2

        hehe he said whack off.

    • 

      Untameable on 06/06/2010 - 23:52

      +1

      I'm not saying it's not a substantial discount. But I negged it based on my conscience and justified my position as best I could. I'm a very amateur telescope user and I wouldn't want to encourage anyone to spend this much money on such a low powered scope - IME it's throwing money away and will end in dissatisfaction, no matter how cool it is that it has a computer in it.

      Elephant is spot on, a dobsonian would be substantially cheaper, just not computerised. However 10" is pretty huge to cart around :) That's why I'd recommend spending more to get a Cassegrain type.

      • Re: Being large enough to see faint objects. IMO 8" is a fairly well accepted minimum standard.
      • Re: Having a computer. The scope is just underpowered, despite what the computer allows it to find easily.
      • Re: The price. Well you can buy binoculars for a fraction of the price. That doesn't make it a bargain.

      This is one of the sad aspects of amateur sky watching. The "best" option for viewing experience vs price is a dobsonian, but they're huge to carry around. Companies produce a whole bunch of middle tier scopes to fill the void that will get used once or twice then quickly upgraded or thrown into the back of the closet and forgotten.

      It's hard, but save your money and get a cassegrain. You'll have something small enough to be able to pull out without groaning at how huge it is, but still computerised, and a good brand (because cheap companies don't make them). I looked them up, they're like $3.2k or so.

      I own a $1.5k 8" reflector, and I used it about three dozen times. Setting up and finding objects was never a pain. Just setting up the damn thing WAS a pain because it's so bulky and heavy. It now sits unused in a corner while I save up money for a cassegrain, which could take a few years. I originally didn't care about astrophotography, and once I actually used it, realised what a huge mistake that was. However, the picture from it is pretty good (there's not a whole lot of difference except between apetures) though I definitely wouldn't want to go down to nearly half the size!

      Thanks for posting the deal, good luck, have fun and do what you like, YMMV. But that's my opinion/advice :) I'm sure a lot more professional astronomers would say differently.