13 replies to this topic

[TheReboot]

I think this is a huge win. I bought a Celestron NexStar 130SLT for $50 on Facebook marketplace. I looked it up and I think it sells for $5-600 new, I couldn't find any used ones to base it off of but I'd estimate like $200. I took a look and everything is in good shape, the mirror needed to be cleaned, but everything was collimated. It only came with one eye piece, a 10mm, so I'm hoping my new ones I ordered before getting this might fit it. 

 

The mount is missing the power cord for it, so it does need that for proper use. I might buy the cord later because I'm going off to college. I have my 6 inch Dob that I'll be leaving at home because my dorm is up 6 flights of stairs with no elevator, but this one should be plenty light and fine to keep in there. Very excited to use it, if there's anything you guys think I need let me know!!!

 

I consider this a massive win!

 

Edit: What should be my first sight? I haven't looked into this scope much so I don't know what would be best.

Edited by TheReboot, 12 March 2025 - 05:07 PM.

[vtornado]

Moon, Jupiter, Orion Nebula.

 

The 14th is a total lunar eclipse.

[Jay_Reynolds_Freeman]

[...] if there's anything you guys think I need let me know!!!

An external battery pack might be useful, but if you have done serious observing with a 6-inch anything you probably have everything you need already, or are already aware of what you are missing.

 

Clear sky ...
 

[sevenofnine]

Congratulations on the new scope! Nice score. From Celestron's website indicates it can run on batteries so maybe you don't need the power cord. If that's the case, you should be able to hook up a battery pack as well. Rechargeable Talent Cells work very well. Good luck! 

 

https://www.celestro..._1KgX3y6P5lmsb6.

[Sam M]

I used to have that scope!  It should be great for college, pretty light weight, although less capable than the 6" dob.  It'll use all the 1.25" eyepieces that went in your dob, and It takes 2" eyepieces if you get any.  I used rechargeable AA batteries, and could observe for a whole evening on a charge.  I think you can use a lithium ion battery with a 12v cord as well, but not sure. 

 

You should be able to find the manual here...

https://www.celestro...wxUnOWBkiMJA8E_

 

Setup and alignment is a little tedious, but not too bad.  Once aligned, it should land your target in the field of a 25mm eyepiece.  Be careful that the altitude restrictions are on, or when you use the goto it can slew to high and the back of the OTA can hit the tripod.  Also, it helps to have some idea what you're looking for, because the catalogue in the hand controller is full of many objects that you have no hope of seeing with that scope under suburban skies.  

 

It's a great price on a great scope, enjoy!

[Barlowbill]

"...my dorm is up six flights of stairs with no elevator...".  What!  There should be laws against that.  Against Human Rights or something.  Good luck  TheReboot

[3C286]

The mount is missing the power cord for it, so it does need that for proper use. I might buy the cord later because I'm going off to college. I have my 6 inch Dob that I'll be leaving at home because my dorm is up 6 flights of stairs with no elevator, but this one should be plenty light and fine to keep in there. Very excited to use it, if there's anything you guys think I need let me know!!!

Congrats. That's a good deal. 

 

I had the 102SLT, which uses the same mount. You can also easily put small refractors on the mount, if you want to.

 

Alkaline batteries is a bit tedious. The cheapest way to go is to get a USB 5V/12V step-up converter cable and use a USB battery pack which you probably already own?

 

 

Have fun

Tak

Edited by 3C286, 13 March 2025 - 04:32 PM.

[Brain&Force]

if there's anything you guys think I need let me know!!!

An elevator. You really, really need an elevator.

 

Aside from that, depending on your preferences you may want to swap finderscopes between your AD6 and your 130SLT.

[Tony Flanders]

"...my dorm is up six flights of stairs with no elevator...".  What!  There should be laws against that.

Pah! Walking up 6 flights of stairs keeps you in shape. Though I admit that lugging my 7-inch Dob up to my 3rd-floor walkup apartment is beginning to get a little annoying as I approach age 71. My heart condition doesn't help, either. I used to always do it in one trip, now I'm more likely to make two.

Edited by Tony Flanders, 15 March 2025 - 04:40 AM.

[PIEJr]

So, how far up is the roof for a sneak away sit and stare session?

[TheReboot]

I used to have that scope!  It should be great for college, pretty light weight, although less capable than the 6" dob.  It'll use all the 1.25" eyepieces that went in your dob, and It takes 2" eyepieces if you get any.  I used rechargeable AA batteries, and could observe for a whole evening on a charge.  I think you can use a lithium ion battery with a 12v cord as well, but not sure. 

 

You should be able to find the manual here...

https://www.celestro...wxUnOWBkiMJA8E_

 

Setup and alignment is a little tedious, but not too bad.  Once aligned, it should land your target in the field of a 25mm eyepiece.  Be careful that the altitude restrictions are on, or when you use the goto it can slew to high and the back of the OTA can hit the tripod.  Also, it helps to have some idea what you're looking for, because the catalogue in the hand controller is full of many objects that you have no hope of seeing with that scope under suburban skies.  

 

It's a great price on a great scope, enjoy!

Thank you for that! It only came with a 10mm eyepiece, so I really couldn't find anything. I'm waiting to get the other eyepieces from the dob and use them because the finder scope isn't even lined up properly and with a 10mm I can't really line it up.

[TheReboot]

So, how far up is the roof for a sneak away sit and stare session?

Sadly there's  no access. I'm on the top floor and I did just find out the other day that my fire escape doesn't have batteries in it, but there's no stairs or ladder to the roof.

[PIEJr]

Sadly there's  no access. I'm on the top floor and I did just find out the other day that my fire escape doesn't have batteries in it, but there's no stairs or ladder to the roof.

Well, poop!

[Sam M]

Thank you for that! It only came with a 10mm eyepiece, so I really couldn't find anything. I'm waiting to get the other eyepieces from the dob and use them because the finder scope isn't even lined up properly and with a 10mm I can't really line it up.

Depending on what comes with the dob, a 25mm eyepiece like the link below, and a 2x 1.25" barlow would cover a lot of your needs.

https://agenaastro.c...piece-25mm.html