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**DONOTDELETE**
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Hey, just wondering if anyone has any input on a possible scope to buy. We are interested in an Orion SpaceProbe 130EQ Reflector-we know we want to view deep sky (nebulae and galaxies)and would like to spend about $300 or less right now.
The question really pertains to how this scope would perform as a backyard scope-using a scope as much as possible with ease is also an integral part to the buy, but whether or not this scope is best suited for light polluted areas is a concern.
Thanks for any input anyone can provide.
Stargazing,
Kim
www.studiokraft.com
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Blair
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/07/03
Posts: 1163
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Do not buy the EQ buy the 130ST as it has a better quality mirror. I've owned both and liked the 130ST much better. The f/5 focal ratio better for nebulas and galaxies. Plus, it performed well on Jupiter. Blair.
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Charles
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4111
Loc: Enterprise, AL
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Hello Kim, many will disagree with me, but I would recommend saving your money until you can afford just a little better scope. I think you'll be happier and have a much better system. I'm talking about the Meade LXs or Celestron's. You can get a much better entry scope at the 600 to 800 dollar range. The reflectors/newts do not do that much worst in light polluted areas than other types of scopes.
If you think you'll never be able to afford that much than I'll let others recommend the 300 dollar scopes for you. I just do not have that much experience in the $300 scopes.
Charles 
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Blair
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/07/03
Posts: 1163
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I agree with Charles but if money is limited the 130ST is a good scope for the money. Blair.
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**DONOTDELETE**
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Thanks Blair for replying!
The scope that we are looking at is actually the 130ST EQ, f5.0. Sorry that I had omitted that, but glad to know that you would recommend it.
Can you view deep sky well enough in your backyard with this scope? Really wondering what we are going to have problems since we don't want to go out of our way every time we want to view it.
Thanks again,
Kim
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Blair
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/07/03
Posts: 1163
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One thing to consider though, reflectors in this price range can require collimation often. Refractors do not, if done properly at the factory. Blair.
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Blair
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/07/03
Posts: 1163
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The seeing is dependant on where you are. In Greensboro, NC the humidity amplifies the light pollution. If you want to really explore deep sky objects in a light polluted area I would suggest an 8 inch Dobsonian. After that, a 6 inch f/8 inch Dobsonian. Many experts recommend a 6" Dobsonian as a first scope. Orion's 120mm f/5 refractor is a good scope for DSOs but it is poor for the planets and double stars. The 130ST will show you a lot unless you are under extreme light pollution. But since this is not a GOTO scope you will have to invest some time in learning the sky in order to find things. Hope this helps. Blair.
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**DONOTDELETE**
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Thanks to everyone for your replies!
We don't have any problem with investing time into our new scope, so collimation and "learning the sky" doesn't scare us.  To us, there is hardly a point in getting involved in something if you don't learn anything along the way.
One of these days, we'd love to be able to invest in a more powerful (and incrementally more expensive) scope, but for now we would just like to have a decent scope that can view more than just the moon on a clear night.
We've already begun our learning process with the aid of books on the subject, as well as the helper programs like Starry Night and Cartes du Ciel, and are very excited about it. We just wanted to gather some opinions on the scope that we were considering, as we feel that "people in the know" would have more qualified opinions on the scope than the reviews that accompany the order forms.
Best Regards,
Kim
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