Recently picked up a used (mint condition) Skywatcher 130mm f/5 PDS reflector OTA (Thanks Tyson). This scope is presently discontinued.
Cosmetics: beautiful black with silver speckles. 9/10
Inclusions: 8/10 (based on the nice focuser)
excellent dual rate 2” Crayford focuser with 1.25” adapter
Vixen style finder mounting shoe
thin 4 vein spider/ adjustable 2° mirror holder
oversized 2° mirror (this scope is designed for photography)
Enhanced 95% coatings on 1° and 2° mirrors
6x30 straight through finder (mine was upgraded to an Orion 8x40 straight through version)
2” 28mm LET eyepiece (not included in my used purchase)
Nice dual hinged mounting rings and Vixen style mounting 7” bar
Peeves:
Crayford focuser is non-compression ring
Crayford focuser has a thread 2” adapter ring using a single metal set screw
(I removed the ring and drilled/tapped 3 holes a 120° and replaced the metal set screw with 3 nylon ones). I actually prefer this type with nylon screws to a compression ring version.
the 2”-1.25” eyepiece adapter is also thread-on. You need to unthread the 2” eyepiece adapter ring and the thread the 2”-1.25” one on. Stupid design, just include a regular 2”-1.25” - compression ring or set screw.
You need a 2” extension tube to reach focus with either 2” or 1.25”, It is not included.
The included 28mm 2” LET eyepiece is junk (I have tried one). Just include a 1.25” cheapo 25mm Plossl eyepiece.
I hate straight through finder scopes, replaced mine with an Orion 6x30 RACI version (very light weight but a larger 50mm RACI maybe a better option.
Optics: 10/10
easily collimation (it arrived in perfect collimation), 1° mirror is center spotted
3 spring loaded adjustment knobs with setscrew locks
95% enhanced 1°/2° mirrors - brighter view than my larger 140mm f/3.64 Comet Catcher
optical testing - easily 1/8 wave or better
Observing: I am mainly a Deepsky observer - this a definite RFT
Fantastic scope, easily punches above a 5” reflector.
easily takes 160X + (TV 4mm DeLite) , 40x/in- you run out of light grasp
From low power wide field (3° +) to high power, does it all.
with high quality eyepieces, I did not need an OCS (Paracorr)
Some Deep Sky highlights: NELM 5.7 Transparency/Seeing Both 3/5 :
the Double Cluster - superb, one of my best views ever (mono view)
NGC 7789 in Cassiopeia (Caroline’s Haystack) - very easy (large smudge with a sprinkling of brighter stars)
M31 group - all 3 members are easy with direct vision - M31 over 2.25°, M110 diffuse oval
M33 - large 3/4° smudge
M81/82 - beautiful contrast in galaxy types
M51 - Both parts easily visible
M13 - easily resolved - perfect image (pin **** stars) at 160x
M27 - amazing with and without filters
NGC 7000 - fantastic North American shape with NPB filter
Veil Complex - see my posting in Observing section (Veil in small scopes)
Future Upgrades:
I have added a 8” dew-shield
I will flock the OTA (either the entire tube or opposite the focuser)
Summary:
An excellent low priced RFT. Amazing Optics.
The few minor “peeves” are easily corrected.
Highly Recommended !!
Edited by vkhastro1, 30 August 2019 - 11:19 AM.