Pros: Easy to use. Great optics. Huge database of go-to objects to choose from.
Cons: Flimsy battery pack and does not store time/date info - must manually enter each use.
The Bottom Line: This telescope combines great value with excellent optics. Many galaxies, nebulas, star clusters, planets, and double stars are within reach of this scope. Moderate aperture at a modest price!
lamommyof3's Full Review: Celestron NexStar 130SLT (31145) (306 x 130mm) Tel...
I received this telescope for my birthday in April 2008 and I love it! The included 25mm and 9mm eyepieces are good quality and I have been able to see many deep sky objects with them. I have purchased a barlow lens, a 6mm wide view lens, a 40mm, and a 20mm lens to round out my collection. I use my 40 and the 25 that was included with the telescope when I am scanning for an object. Then I center it in the eyepiece and increase the power with a different lens (often the 9) or with the barlow. I have had several "experts" that own large dobsonians tell me that they are impressed with the optics of my scope.
The only negative is that the battery compartment is difficult to close. It is pretty flimsy, but it does not hinder the performance of the scope so it doesn't bother me. The 3 star align is pretty easy to use and the tracking is good, especially when you manually enter your gps coordinates rather than selecting the closest city to you from a database. The more precise you are about your location the better the tracking ability and the more likely it will be that the go-to function will put what you are looking for in the field of view.
Overall this is an excellent starter scope for the amateur astronomer!
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