Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsInexpensive scope to learn on but there are some gotchas.
Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2019
First, let me preface this review by stating I am a beginner with equatorial mounts. Therefore I might say stuff that is obvious to a more experienced astronomer. But if you are also a beginner and want a review from a fellow beginner than I hope this helps. I will not comment much on the optics since I don't have enough experience to really give a good critique.
Unpacking: Overall I found the product well packaged. There was a warning about needing two people to lift the box. It was a bit heavy but not excessively so.
Assembling: I found both the quick setup and the manual not adequate. Luckily one can find online videos on how to set up scopes--even the 127 EQ. The package does come with a CD but many modern computers no longer have CD players, so I had to find an older computer. It turns out the CD really only contains the User's Manual anyway, and this could just as easily been put on the web.
Balancing: Again, I found it easier to follow one of the YouTube videos.
Aligning the finder scope: One huge gotcha is that in the telescope the image is right side up but in the finder scope it is upside down. This is probably not a barrier to more experienced astronomers but it also means that if you think you need to move the finder scope to the right you probably really need to move it to the left (mirror image). Also, it is super easy to knock out of alignment.
Aligning the telescope with the earth's axis: The manual is passable but it is also just easier to watch an online video.
Positioning the scope to view stars: The standard method is to release the clutches, move the scope so that the star is in the finder, tighten the clutches and then use the slow motion cables. There are several gotchas here: 1) The clutches don't seem to grab tightly when you tighten them. 2) The Right Ascension adjuster (farthest from the scope) has a worm gear assembly. It tended to grind and be hard to move but I found that putting just a bit of bicycle grease on the worm gear made the mechanism move better. 3) The Declination adjuster (the one nearest the scope) DOES NOT have a worm gear assembly. It is a lever with a spring on one end and the adjuster on the other. This means it can move through about 10 degrees of motion MAX. This may be standard on EQ mount telescopes but it does catch a beginner like me by surprise, especially in the dark. It is also not mentioned in the manual anywhere I could find. Practically it means that when you are positioning the scope on a star first make sure the dec. is in the middle of it's range of motion. Then it will work for fine adjustments up to 5 degrees either way. Failing to do this could result in damaging the cable while you try to adjust a non-responsive telescope or having the cable assembly unscrew itself and fall out in the dark.
Tripod: This whole assembly is very top heavy. This makes it prone to wiggle and tip over. Again, after watching a video I learned that a poor person's way around this is to hang weights from the lower parts of the tripod to shift the center of gravity down. The tripod also does not come with a level but I learned from a video that one can compensate by hanging a weight from the center of the tripod and observing the position of the weight on the accessory tray.
Software: The telescope comes with some software to simulate a planetarium. For some reason I was not able to download the software onto my PC but I was able to get the software downloaded on my Mac. This software seems reasonably good but there is also a freeware version called Stellarium that seems to be very good, which is what I plan to use on the PC.
Overall: I wanted a relatively cheap introduction into reflector telescopes and equatorial mounts. I was not expecting the Hubble in a box. I am really hoping to be able to get some good views of the planets. So far I was able to observe Jupiter, but I have only used the 20mm lens. Since the max usable magnification is about 250x (determined by the size of the mirror) I doubt I will be using the 4mm lens very much--sky conditions would need to be very good.
Update: Getting parts on warranty is extremely slow. At first I was told the part would be shipped within 24 to 48 business hours. Then after waiting a week and pestering them for another week, I was told it would be about two weeks. Again another wait. Today I was told the part was out of stock but they might have one next month.
Would I buy this scope again?: I don't think so. I don't feel like I have wasted my money and I will get some use out of the scope, but mostly I was spending $200 or so Canadian on a learning experience--which I am getting.