
( Brand: Sky-watcher ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 130PDS ), ( Model: SKYWATCHER 130PDS NEWTONIAN ), ( Type: Reflector ), ( Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime ), ( Finderscope: Led Dot ), ( Aperture: 130 Mm )
The Sky-Watcher 130PDS (130mm ProDeanScope) is an exquisite Newtonian reflector telescope designed for stargazing enthusiasts who seek a balanced combination of affordability, performance, and portability. This telescope, manufactured by Sky-Watcher, a renowned name in the astronomical equipment industry, is an excellent choice for those embarking on their astronomical journey or for seasoned observers looking to expand their observing arsenal.
The telescope boasts a substantial 130mm (5.12 inches) primary mirror, which gathers a substantial amount of light, enabling impressive deep-sky observations. This parabolic mirror is made of high-quality optical glass, ensuring excellent image quality and sharpness. The mirror is supported by a robust and stable fork mount, the ProDean, which provides a stable platform for observation, even during higher magnification sessions.
The telescope comes with a 600mm (25.6 inches) focal length tube and a 25mm and 10mm Pl ssl eyepiece set. This combination provides a wide-field view for broad, sweeping observations, as well as a high-powered, narrow field of view for detailed planetary and deep-sky investigations. The telescope also offers a focal ratio of f/4.3, which strikes an excellent balance between brightness and magnification.
The 130PDS features a collimation mechanism that simplifies the process of aligning the primary and secondary mirrors, ensuring optimal performance. The telescope also has a built-in vacuum-sealed mirror cell, which protects the mirror from dust and moisture, maintaining the telescope's optical integrity.
The telescope is equipped with a 1.25-inch (31.8mm) Crayford focuser, which offers smooth, precise focus adjustments. The focuser comes with a 10:1 two-speed focusing mechanism that makes fine adjustments easy and convenient. Additionally, the telescope includes a 1.25-inch (31.8mm) diagonal to enhance the image's brightness and reduce eye strain during long observing sessions.
The Sky-Watcher 130PDS is an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile and capable telescope for observing a wide range of celestial wonders. Its impressive light-gathering capabilities, combined with its excellent optics and user-friendly design, make it an ideal companion for both novice and experienced astronomers.
The Sky-Watcher 130PDS (Proficilty Series 130 Pacific Design Systems) is a Newtonian reflector telescope, known for its large aperture that gathers a significant amount of light, making it suitable for deep-sky observing. Here are some pros and cons of buying this telescope:
Pros:1. Large Aperture: The 130mm (5.1 inches) primary mirror collects a considerable amount of light, allowing for better image quality and greater ability to observe faint objects in the night sky.
2. Focal Length: With a focal length of 650mm, this telescope offers a decent magnification range, allowing you to observe a variety of celestial objects from planets and star clusters to galaxies and nebulae.
3. Portability: Despite its large aperture, the Sky-Watcher 130PDS is relatively portable due to its Dobsonian design, which makes it easy to move and set up.
4. Cost-Effective: This telescope offers excellent value for its price, providing a large aperture and decent performance at a reasonable cost.
5. Easy to Use: The Dobsonian mount makes this telescope simple to use, making it a great choice for beginners or those looking for a straightforward observing experience.
Cons:1. Manual Mount: The Dobsonian mount is not computerized or motorized, meaning you'll need to manually adjust the telescope to locate and track celestial objects.
2. Collimation: Newtonian telescopes require regular collimation, which can be a challenge for some users. Properly collimated optics are essential for achieving the best possible image quality.
3. Dark Adaptation: The large aperture gathers a significant amount of light, making this telescope less suitable for observing during bright moonlit nights or in urban areas with light pollution.
4. Size and Weight: While the telescope is relatively portable compared to other large aperture telescopes, it still requires a fair amount of space and can be heavy to transport.
Conclusion:The Sky-Watcher 130PDS is an excellent choice for those seeking a large aperture telescope that offers great value for its price. Its portability and ease of use make it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced stargazers. However, its manual mount and the need for regular collimation may be disadvantages for some users. Overall, this telescope is well-suited for observing deep-sky objects and offers a rewarding observing experience for those willing to invest some time and effort.
Recommendation:If you're looking for a large aperture telescope that offers great value for its price and is relatively portable, the Sky-Watcher 130PDS may be an excellent choice for you. However, if you prefer a more automated observing experience, you might consider a computerized equatorial mount telescope with a smaller aperture. Ultimately, the decision depends on your observing goals, budget, and preferences.
This scope is in good condition and has some minor surface scratches which were there when I originally bought it. But the optics are unaffected and work great. Skywatcher 130PDS Newtonian Telescope.