Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope

Santa Claus brought this scope to my boys a few years ago, and after a pretty decent amount of use I can say that it is a n OK, but not great scope with probably more negatives that positives. The optics are ok, but collimation is nearly impossible (though it did come fairly well-collimated from the factory). This is a Bird-Jones (or Jones-Bird) design scope, which means it has a built in barlow lens that most reflectors do not. As such, laser collimation is not really an option unless you first remove that lens, which is not recommended. Considering that checking collimation with a Cheshire really isnt effective in this scope, it makes getting a good image in your scope much more of a challenge requiring trial and error. The collimating screws on the scope have ... MoreSanta Claus brought this scope to my boys a few years ago, and after a pretty decent amount of use I can say that it is a n OK, but not great scope with probably more negatives that positives. The optics are ok, but collimation is nearly impossible (though it did come fairly well-collimated from the factory). This is a Bird-Jones (or Jones-Bird) design scope, which means it has a built in barlow lens that most reflectors do not. As such, laser collimation is not really an option unless you first remove that lens, which is not recommended. Considering that checking collimation with a Cheshire really isnt effective in this scope, it makes getting a good image in your scope much more of a challenge requiring trial and error. The collimating screws on the scope have little to no give, so in order to do a traditional collimation, you will need to replace the primary mirror collimation screws with longer ones and put small springs around the screws so there is some give. Once you do this, collimation is much easier. The eyepieces and barlow that come with the scope are not great, but workable if you are looking at the moon and maybe Jupiter or Saturn. I would be surprised if you ever use the 4mm. The tripod is quite shaky when making adjustments or if even a light breeze comes in. There are ways you can make it more steady, like adding some weights to the legs, but that is not really a fix, more of a bandage. Focusing is very sensitive with this scope. You can get a good focused image, but it will take some patience. The finderscope that comes with the scope is fairly poor. That was the first thing I replaced. There are some decent accessories you can get with this scope, like the motordrive. With that accessory and some higher quality eyepieces, this scope has the possibility of working pretty well for you if you are a beginner. There are definitely better options out there if you are willing to put a little more money into the investment (remember the purchase of a telescope can and should be a lifetime investment in astronomy). Take your time, do your research, and possibly consider something that will work a little better for your needs than this scope. You will be happy you did. Just an aside, I am considering taking this scope, getting a solar filter for it, and using it exclusively for solar observation. That may breathe new life into this scope and could be something to consider as you make your purchase.

The Celestron PowerSeeker is an introductory telescope suitable for gazing at the Moon, planets, sunspots (with solar filter, sold separately), stars, nebulae, galaxies ... anything that's Moon-sized (1/2 degree) or smaller, really. This is among the least expensive telescopes you can buy that is a real astronomical instrument - in no way a toy. PowerSeekers are less expensive and of lower quality than AstroMasters; non-introductory scopes are far more expensive than either - $300 and up (as of 2016). Within the PowerSeeker series, the 114EQ Newtonian lets you viewer fainter objects and mag up more than do the smaller-aperture Refractors, but it also costs more and probably doesn't show any more object features on planets or the Moon. Basically, choose the 114EQ or ... MoreThe Celestron PowerSeeker is an introductory telescope suitable for gazing at the Moon, planets, sunspots (with solar filter, sold separately), stars, nebulae, galaxies ... anything that's Moon-sized (1/2 degree) or smaller, really. This is among the least expensive telescopes you can buy that is a real astronomical instrument - in no way a toy. PowerSeekers are less expensive and of lower quality than AstroMasters; non-introductory scopes are far more expensive than either - $300 and up (as of 2016). Within the PowerSeeker series, the 114EQ Newtonian lets you viewer fainter objects and mag up more than do the smaller-aperture Refractors, but it also costs more and probably doesn't show any more object features on planets or the Moon. Basically, choose the 114EQ or the 130EQ if you care about deep-sky viewing in addition to solar system and major star observation. Be mindful of the size: the 114EQ on its mount weighs 20 pounds, has a barrel three feet long, and overall is about as big as a pick up and go scope can be for me personally. So, what do you get in the box? Celestron has tossed in a 4.5 Newtonion reflector, two eyepieces and a Barlow magnifier, an equatorial mount and a tripod, added planetarium software and a well-written manual, all for $120-130. Is that a good deal? It was for me. I'm an adult beginner stargazer on a tight budget and want a telescope that delivers at least acceptable viewing of everything in the sky. I want it to be portable, understandable, and get me excited about astronomy. I don't yet have the knowledge or hobby connections required to buy good used. I understand that I will pass on my PowerSeeker someday to an up-and-coming stargazer. I understand that great astrophotography and NASA-quality views don't happen for $130 - not even close. I understand that any serious telescope requires real study to use well. Let's discuss build quality. You get a lot for the money, but you need to understand the trade-offs. The tripod: Sturdy enough for a beginner unless you extend the legs too far. Not at all suitable for high-resolution astrophotography. Tall people will have to bend over a bit. You'll eventually want to replace this. The mount: Pretty solid, but not as smooth or as firm as one on a more expensive instrument. The adjustment knobs are the only obviously low-value item in the package, 'far as I can tell, and even they are fit for purpose. This is an equatorial mount, which means you can adjust the side-tilt until celestial objects travel straight across your field of view as the Earth turns. This means that you can more easily keep a planet or star in view by turning one knob - instead of having to juggle two. However, in order to achieve this happiness, you fist have to align the equatorial mount. For your first few outings and for quick glances at the heavens, you might do better to treat it as an alt-alzimuth mount (no side-tilt). Considering a motor drive and/or software control? Consider an AstroMaster or better. The scope tube: Might require lens adjustment or collimation. Reflector (Newtonian)- type telescopes in particular go out of alignment eventually or if mishandled, and the manual walks you through the procedures. Give yourself enough time to learn the ropes and you will wield a precision instrument for a long time! The viewer scope: As cheap as it gets, but really useful. Before stargazing, align it with the 20mm eyepiece by a combination of adjusting the base screws and the side thumb knobs. Get something easy to see in the scope. Find it in the eyepiece (this may take a while on your first few tries). Adjust the scope and re-acquire the object until satisfied. Now you can hunt anything! The eyepieces: Obviously cheap, but they satisfy me ... for now. They are not acromatic, especially near the edges. They deliver a crisp image with no obvious distortion. Getting obvious distortion? Read the manual to determine whether you are just experiencing bad seeing due to atmospheric conditions or actually need to align some lenses in the tube. There's a big jump in magnification between the 20mm and 4mm lenses. For intermediate sizes and useful filters, check out the Celestron PowerSeeker accessory kit, which I rank as a nice to have item for solar system astronomy. Be mindful that you'll have real difficulty keeping track of a planet or star in the 4mm because it moves relatively quickly across the field of view. Also, expect objects to wobble after tilt adjustment. Practice helps: By my second night, I was able to tighten up the mount, get Mars in the 20mm, swap in the 4mm and re-acquire, fine-tune with the tilt adjustment knobs, insert the 3x Barlow, and track the distant world at maximum useful magnification (114mm aperature x2 = 230x in ideal seeing). Software: TheSkyX First Light Edition planetarium software simulates the movement of objects in the sky at any observation location. I'm quite impressed with it, but at least equally so by the free and open-source Stellarum package (www.stellarium.org).

This is a good 'scope for the money. It is a full length real Newtonian, with full equatorial mount, fine-adjustment knobs and all. It's not the most solid mount I've seen, but adequate, given the (light) weight / small size (4 inch -- that's small for me). It does take patience an some understanding of how the earth turns to use the mount right, but once you do, it's worth it, for tracking at high magnification. The 'scope has way more light and clarity and magnification than other 'scopes in this price range. I got this for a beginner, but it's not just a toy -- you can see some serious space objects out there. The finder scope is sharp, but the mount for it is not really stable -- you have to be more careful than most people are. I may just put tabs on the top ... MoreThis is a good 'scope for the money. It is a full length real Newtonian, with full equatorial mount, fine-adjustment knobs and all. It's not the most solid mount I've seen, but adequate, given the (light) weight / small size (4 inch -- that's small for me). It does take patience an some understanding of how the earth turns to use the mount right, but once you do, it's worth it, for tracking at high magnification. The 'scope has way more light and clarity and magnification than other 'scopes in this price range. I got this for a beginner, but it's not just a toy -- you can see some serious space objects out there. The finder scope is sharp, but the mount for it is not really stable -- you have to be more careful than most people are. I may just put tabs on the top and bottom of the main tube, or figure out how to really secure the finder more tightly. I'm happy with this purchase.