Orion SpaceProbe Series
The Orion SpaceProbe range of reflector telescopes make a great starting point for beginning your amateur astronomy hobby. These easy to use scopes are great for all the family and represent great value for money. There are four models in the SpaceProbe range with the 3 inch reflector coming with either an altazimuth or equatorial mount and the 130 EQ ans 130 ST rounding out the series.
The smaller models come with a great lightweight mount, ideal for observing sessions away from home, whilst the 130 models have the strong EQ-2 mount and tripod which come with an optional electronic drive for tracking those deep-sky objects.
All the models have soda-lime plate glass and Explorer II 10 and 25mm eyepieces apart from the 130ST which comes with 10mm and 25mm Plossl eyepieces. The 130EQ and 130ST models will allow magnification of up to 260x.
The Orion SpaceProbe range of telescopes represent a great way to start your hobby and even greater value for money.
Orion SpaceProbe Telescope Accessories
Orion SpaceProbe Telescope Information
- Details
- Specs
- Reviews
- Affordable and Simple
- Reflector Design
- Lightweight Aluminum Tripod
- Ideal for lunar and plnetary viewing
| Specifications | 3 Altazimuth | 3 Equatorial | 130 EQ | 130 ST |
| Price | $99.95 | $149.95 | $249.95 | $299.95 |
| User Level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
| Best Viewing | Lunar & planetary | Lunar & planetary | Brighter deep sky | Brighter deep sky |
| Best Imaging | Lunar & planetary | Lunar & planetary | Lunar & planetary | Lunar & planetary |
| Optical Design | Reflector | |||
| Optical diameter | 76mm | 76mm | 130mm | 130mm |
| Focal length | 700mm | 700mm | 900mm | 650mm |
| Focal ratio | f/9.2 | f/9.2 | f/6.9 | f/5.0 |
| Optics Type | Spherical | Spherical | Spherical | Parabolic |
| Glass material | Soda-lime plate | |||
| Eyepieces | Explorer II 25.0mm, 10.0mm | Plossl 25.0mm, 10.0mm | ||
| Magnification with included eyepieces | 28x, 70x | 36x, 90x | 26x, 65x | |
| Resolving Power | 1.52arc*sec | 0.89arc*sec | ||
| Highest useful magnification | 95x | 152x | 260x | 260x |
| Limiting stellar magnitude | 12.1 | 13.2 | ||
| Optical quality | Diffraction limited | |||
| Finder scope | EZ Finder II | 6x30 | ||
| Focuser | 1.25 inch rack-and-pinion | |||
| Mirror coatings | Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide | |||
| Mount Type | Altazimuth | Equatorial | ||
| Motor drive compatibility | None | Clock drive sold separately | ||
| Tube material | Steel | Aluminum | ||
| Tripod material | Aluminum | |||
| Length of optical tube | 27.0 inch | 27.0 inch | 32.5 inch | 24.0 inch |
| Weight, fully assembled | 8.4 lbs | 16.6 lbs | 26.5 lbs | 23.0 lbs |
| Warranty | One year | |||
Cloudy Nights - great review of the Orion SpaceProbe 130 EQ
TopTen Reviews - Orion SpaceProbe 3
Epinions - review of Orion SpaceProbe 3
Excelsis - review with replies of the Orion SpaceProbe 130EQ reflector