Celestron Nexstar 130 opinions

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:40:27 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

i had a 114GT and that was ok but i think the 130 has a lower max mag
than the 114gt
where are you? i have a hardly used nexstar 4i im thinking of selling
if thats of interest to you

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:52:52 +0000, Clive
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:40:27 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

i had a 114GT and that was ok but i think the 130 has a lower max mag
than the 114gt
where are you? i have a hardly used nexstar 4i im thinking of selling
if thats of interest to you

4gt i meant not 4i

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:55:37 +0000, Clive wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:52:52 +0000, Clive
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:40:27 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

i had a 114GT and that was ok but i think the 130 has a lower max mag
than the 114gt
where are you? i have a hardly used nexstar 4i im thinking of selling
if thats of interest to you

4gt i meant not 4i


We're on the Hampshire/Dorset border (Ringwood area). I've looked up the
Nexstar 4gt on Google and it looks ideal for us. Are you within a
reasonable distance/what sort of price are you asking? Cheers - and thanks
for the prompt reply!

Alasdair and Tom

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:08:08 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:55:37 +0000, Clive wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:52:52 +0000, Clive
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:40:27 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

i had a 114GT and that was ok but i think the 130 has a lower max mag
than the 114gt
where are you? i have a hardly used nexstar 4i im thinking of selling
if thats of interest to you

4gt i meant not 4i


We're on the Hampshire/Dorset border (Ringwood area). I've looked up the
Nexstar 4gt on Google and it looks ideal for us. Are you within a
reasonable distance/what sort of price are you asking? Cheers - and thanks
for the prompt reply!

Alasdair and Tom

whats your email address and i will send you some details

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:07:36 +0000, Clive wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:08:08 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:55:37 +0000, Clive wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:52:52 +0000, Clive
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:40:27 +0000, Alasdair Macintyre
wrote:

Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed. We're
interested in making mainly optical planetary observations, but also in
various other celestial objects. Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems (mainly with the mount - it moves quite a lot and the fine
adjustment handles tend to get in the way, although it's also difficult to
transport). We've been looking for a replacement/supplement to this for
around £300 (can't really afford much more than this, otherwise we'd
go for the Meade 125 that's been recommended here before), preferably with
a GOTO function to help quickly locate objects. The closest we've found is
the Celestron Nexstar 130, although I haven't been able to locate much
information on how good this scope really is, so I'm slightly suspicious
about its quality. Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad,
with this scope, or have any other opinions/recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any advice
Alasdair and Tom

i had a 114GT and that was ok but i think the 130 has a lower max mag
than the 114gt
where are you? i have a hardly used nexstar 4i im thinking of selling
if thats of interest to you

4gt i meant not 4i


We're on the Hampshire/Dorset border (Ringwood area). I've looked up the
Nexstar 4gt on Google and it looks ideal for us. Are you within a
reasonable distance/what sort of price are you asking? Cheers - and thanks
for the prompt reply!

Alasdair and Tom

whats your email address and i will send you some details

- thanks.

Alasdair Macintyre wrote:
Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed.

..
..
Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems

This guy's getting good results:

http://www.astroman.fsnet.co.uk/skylux.htm

BugBear

Alasdair Macintyre wrote:
Hello, a friend and I have been performing basic astronomy for some time
now, however we now feel we need better equipment to proceed.

..
..
Up to now we've mainly been using a
Skylux telescope (one of the earlier ones sold by Lidl) but have had
problems

This guy's getting good results:

http://www.astroman.fsnet.co.uk/skylux.htm

BugBear