Like everyone else on earth, you\u2019ve probably stared up into the heavens and asked yourself the all important question \u2013 \u201cAre we alone?\u201d Well, you\u2019re not alone; at least in regards to stargazing, not extra terrestrial life (as far as we know).<\/p>\n
See, every single day and night, thousands of eager, beginner astronomers grab whatever equipment they can to get a better look at the large expanse of space. Despite the fact that our Milky Way is nothing but a mere blip on the cosmic scale, there are billions of stars to check out.<\/p>\n
So if you want to turn from curious wonderment to learned space explorer, you\u2019ll need a telescope built for the job \u2013 The classic reflector<\/em>.<\/p>\n i) Looking for the only reflector telescope you\u2019ll ever need? Aptly dubbed as the most well rounded, overall reflector on the list, the Skywatcher Explorer Motorised Reflector<\/strong><\/a> balances price and performance perfectly.<\/p>\n ii) Fact \u2013 every potential astronomer has to start somewhere. But once you grow tired of your cheap, first telescope, you know it\u2019s time to upgrade. By coughing up just a little more green, you\u2019ll be able to afford the best upgrade reflector telescope in the market \u2013 the Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS OTA Newton Telescope<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n iii) Here\u2019s a steal no matter which way you look at it. In addition to being the cheapest telescope on our list, this budget telescope is ironically the only one that offers unrivalled images of both terrestrial and astronomical bodies. We\u2019re talking about the number one choice for young astronomers, the AstroMaster 114 EQuatorial Telescope<\/strong><\/a> from Celestron.<\/p>\n Also referred to as a reflecting telescope, the reflector was invented back in the 17th<\/sup> century by Isaac Newton. As the name implies, these types of scopes reflect light to form an image through a combination of curved mirrors. A reflector telescope makes use of bigger concave mirrors as opposed to the usual lenses found in other types to collect and focus light.<\/p>\n The two main reasons why a reflector telescope is perfect for beginners is due to the good visibility and affordable price range. Also, it\u2019s every stargazers wet dream so to speak. See, reflectors excel at celestial gazing. This means you\u2019ll be getting breathtaking views of moons, stars, galaxies, nebulae and other faint, distant objects. Oh, and word to the wise, try not to use your reflector telescope during the day. So, how do you make sure you get the best telescope for the job?<\/p>\n It might seem like a basic question, but you\u2019d be surprised just how many beginner astronomers get it wrong. Speaking from experience, most first time buyers want a telescope that will provide great views of both land and outer space objects.<\/p>\n But as good as the though of an all round telescope may be, the sad truth is that most of them only excel at either one or the other, not both. With the reflector telescope, you can forget about looking at any land based objects since it excels at astronomy viewing.<\/p>\n Now that you know you\u2019re only limited to astronomical objects, the most important feature to consider next is the aperture. This refers to the diameter of the main mirror in the telescope. The larger the aperture, the more light you can capture and the more objects you can locate in the sky. More light also translates to greater clarity and spectacular views.<\/p>\n This is not really a decisive factor, but more of a vital concept that will help beginners understand their reflectors better. Some expert astronomers claim that the magnification is just as important as the aperture. In theory, your telescope should be able to achieve an infinite range of magnification just by swapping out the eyepiece for one with a higher magnification. Just make sure that your aperture produces a clear image before magnifying it to extremely high levels.<\/p>\n [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00CYHSZ90″ locale=”UK” src=”https:\/\/www.stargazing.me.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/41XxSDJwOUL.jpg” tag=”stargazinguk-21″ width=”359″]<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying it, Newtonian telescopes offer some of the best views you\u2019ll ever catch. Combine that with one of the leading scope manufacturers and you\u2019ve got magic waiting to happen. The Skywatcher explorer range comprises of high quality, robust, versatile Newtonian reflectors that range in aperture.<\/p>\n Whether you want a light guzzling 300mm aperture or a respectable 130mm like the one we\u2019re looking at here, Skywatcher\u2019s got them all. This particular motorised reflector telescope from skywatch is hands down the best overall model on our list.<\/p>\n In addition to having the power, aperture and magnification to show celestial objects in greater detail, the EQ2 mount is actually motorised so you don\u2019t have to do all the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n The Explorer also boasts of a x260 highest practical power and 0.5mm ultra thin secondary mirror supports. There\u2019s also a red dot finder to help you centre the view and thanks to 30% more light gathering than 114mm, stargazing never looked so vivid.<\/p>\n Looking at the Skywatcher Explorer Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope it\u2019s clear that it excels in more than one area.<\/p>\n For starters, this particular telescope has one of the largest mirrors you can find in its price range. This is a massive advantage because it provides you with the ability to gather far more light than other scopes. Combine that with the fact that the collimation of mirrors are perfectly aligned and you have an image that would make even expert astronomers proud.<\/p>\n Secondly, the 130m Explorer incorporates a motor that allows you to silently track any target as it makes its way across the sky. This is very useful if you are observing something as a group or under high observation. It doesn\u2019t even matter if there\u2019s bad weather or cloud cover, the telescope still tracks away.<\/p>\n As magnificent (pun intended) as the Skywatcher Explorer Newtonian Reflector Telescope might be, there are still a couple of issues that I noticed. The first minor issue was the slight distortion under high magnification. At over 85% of the view, this telescope tends to provide some slight distortion.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s only really close to the edges and barely noticeable. But that\u2019s only if you actually manage to get the darn thing set up. The instructions are quite flimsy and very confusing. But it\u2019s still easy enough for beginners to set up, at least after several tries.<\/p>\n Being the best overall reflector telescope on this list, it\u2019s only natural that everyone has good things to say about it. After all, it\u2019s always a welcome sight to get a model that caters to the needs of astronomers of all levels.<\/p>\n Most customers found the Explorer to be a great option for beginners with a sturdy and well made stand. As always, the motorized function is tricky to master as most came to realize. But once you get it, it\u2019s super easy to use. All in all, a great gift for the budding astronomer in your life.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re just starting out your astronomer journey or looking to upgrade from your cheap beginner\u2019s scope, then the 130M Explorer<\/strong><\/a> is the choice for you. Not only is the price range relatively budget friendly, but the Newtonian telescope actually holds it\u2019s own in the field of battle. It will give you a crystal clear view of celestial objects, and still allow you to track them even when you\u2019re nowhere near the scope. That\u2019s what I call modern and futuristic star gazing.<\/p>\n [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00CYHST8W” locale=”UK” src=”https:\/\/www.stargazing.me.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/41BYeIYa4L.jpg” tag=”stargazinguk-21″ width=”333″]<\/p>\n Here\u2019s another reflector telescope that\u2019s been making rounds all over the astronomer universe. Praised all over for its incredible stability and performance, the Skywatcher Explorer Telescope might just be the best upgrade option out there.<\/p>\n Hey, everyone had to start at some point. And like most beginners, your first scope was probably a cheap model. But if you\u2019re ready to take the next step and upgrade to better, clearer and further views, then this is the next logical purchase.<\/p>\n The 200PDS Explorer boasts of a x36 magnification with ultra thin 0.5 mm brackets for the secondary mirror. And beating the previous model by a mile, the Skywatcher 200 PDS actually manages almost 80% more light capture than 150mm.<\/p>\n The Skywatcher 200 PDS Newton Telescope excels at the one thing it was made to do; and that\u2019s delivering crystal clear images free from distortion. See, instead of the usual lenses, reflectors usually come equipped with mirrors.<\/p>\n The high quality mirrors in this telescope help eliminate any spherical aberrations while still focusing all the light rays for sharper, more contrasted images that are rich in detail. Another area where the model excels is the incorporation of a dual speed 10:1 focuser that offers a uch fi8ner focus function than the previous model.<\/p>\n The Skywatcher 200PDS OTA scope may be a winner in many astronomer\u2019s books, but I noticed a couple of issues that I\u2019ll raise with the manufacturer. Of course, they are not deal breakers, just problems that would make the experience much smoother if resolved.<\/p>\n For instance, this telescope has a much shorter tube to go with the 1000mm focal length. This makes it more suited for astrophotography than visual observation. Still, it offers excellent observation, I just think it would be much better if the tube was a tad longer.<\/p>\n Looking at previous customers, I couldn\u2019t help but notice that majority of them were surprised by the size and weight of this model. The 200PDS Telescope is quite bulky and will definitely need a car to transport so don\u2019t say you weren\u2019t told.<\/p>\n But apart from the sheer bulk, all customers seem to have gleaming reviews for this bad boy. From the fact that it\u2019s mirrors are perfectly aligned all the way to a 10:1 focuser, everyone seems satisfied and happy with the scope.<\/p>\n The Explorer-200PDS<\/strong><\/a> OTA Dual-Speed is hands down one of the best Newtonians for transcending astronomers. Most beginners only start with telescopes that have only a viewing function, and a limited one at that. This beauty allows you to move from a\u00a0 simple observer to an active astrophotography expert who can share his priceless images with the world. If you\u2019re looking to upgrade from your beginner scope, you should definitely give the 200PDS explorer a try.<\/p>\n [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B000MLL6R8″ locale=”UK” src=”https:\/\/www.stargazing.me.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/41g0CunuCvL.jpg” tag=”stargazinguk-21″ width=”500″]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking at the 114 EQ, I\u2019m going to guess that you\u2019re either shopping for a simple gift or just beginning your infinite journey to stargazing. Long story short, it\u2019s always wise to start with something affordable that won\u2019t break your bank. The AstroMaster 114 EQ<\/a> Reflector Telescope is the perfect, budget friendly option.<\/p>\n The scope features erect image optics that are ideal for both astronomical and terrestrial use and a permanently mounted starpointer. Another wining feature is the incorporation of SkyX light edition astronomy software that houses a 10,000 object database for fascinating celestial views. Not bad for a beginner astronomer if you ask me.<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, the affordability of the 114 EQ is not the only feature that makes it stand out in a crowd of astronomers. Nope; what makes it ideal is the fact that this model is super easy to set up and use, even for newbies. This can all be credited to the tool-less assembly, preassembled tripod as well as a quick release dovetail attachment that make work that much easier.<\/p>\n Another area where the AstroMaster Reflector excels is versatility. Not many scopes are great at multitasking, but this one is actually more than appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. Considering the price range, that\u2019s quite a feat.<\/p>\n As good as the AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope sounds, you can always expect a few minor issues with a budget model. One of the most prominent issues I came across was the oversensitivity.<\/p>\n I mean, unless you can maintain a very steady hand (I\u2019m talking surgeon-like), you might find focusing the scope very tough. Even the slightest shift means you have to refocus your target again. Apart from the tricky counterbalancing and some rough declination adjustment, I\u2019d say the 114 EQ is pretty stand up.<\/p>\n Looking at what all the previous customers had to say, it\u2019s pretty obvious that the Celestron 31042 AstroMaster scope is ideal for beginner astronomers, For the price, it offers users quite a decent view.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s the unbelievably simple, no tools required setup that makes this particular telescope a hit with the kids. So if you want to start your child off on the journey to astronomy, now you know a great and affordable way to do it with the 114 EQ.<\/p>\n What more can I say, the AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope<\/strong><\/a> speaks for itself. As you\u2019ve no doubt come to see, not many telescopes excel at both celestial and terrestrial viewing. But the fact that the 114 EQ works just as good for earth objects as it does stars is a major feat in itself. And all that at budget friendly prices? If you\u2019re looking to turn even the greenest beginners into well established astro-gazers, then this might just be the only telescope you\u2019ll ever need.<\/p>\n A 130mm (5 inch) reflector telescope is relatively small. It\u2019s great for observing the moon and planets, but don\u2019t expect to see sharp details of the moon\u2019s craters or Saturn\u2019s rings. Some planets will appear as pinpoints of light.<\/p>\n A 130mm reflector can also let you see large deep sky objects like certain galaxies, double stars and nebulae. But again, don\u2019t expect the same level of detail you would get from a 6\u201d or 8\u201d telescope.<\/p>\n A 114mm (4.5 inch) reflector is fairly small. You can view most objects in the solar system including planets and the moon, but they\u2019ll appear small and you won\u2019t make out fine details. Certain large and bright galaxies, nebulae and star clusters may also be visible especially on a clear night with little to no light pollution.<\/p>\nReflector Telescope Buying Guide<\/h2>\n
What is a Reflector Telescope?<\/h3>\n
Key Considerations for Buying a Reflector<\/h3>\n
i) Do you Know What you Want the Scope For?<\/h4>\n
ii) Consider the Aperture<\/h4>\n
iii) Consider the Magnification<\/h4>\n
Best Reflector Telescope Reviews<\/h2>\n
1. BEST OVERALL: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CYHSZ90″ locale=”UK” tag=”stargazinguk-21″]Skywatcher Explorer Motorised Reflector[\/easyazon_link]<\/h3>\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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Overview<\/h3>\n
What It Does Best<\/h3>\n
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers<\/h3>\n
What Other Customers Think<\/h3>\n
Should You Buy It?<\/h3>\n
\n2. BEST UPGRADE: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CYHST8W” locale=”UK” tag=”stargazinguk-21″]Skywatcher Explorer 200 PDS OTA Newton Telescope[\/easyazon_link]<\/h3>\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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Overview<\/h3>\n
What It Does Best<\/h3>\n
Flaws But Not Deabreakers<\/h3>\n
What Other Customers Think<\/h3>\n
Should You Buy It?<\/h3>\n
\n3. BEST BUDGET: [easyazon_link identifier=”B000MLL6R8″ locale=”UK” tag=”stargazinguk-21″]Celestron 114 EQ AstroMaster Reflector Telescope[\/easyazon_link]<\/h3>\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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Overview<\/h3>\n
What It Does Best<\/h3>\n
Flaws But Not Deal Breakers<\/h3>\n
What Other Customers Think<\/h3>\n
Should You Buy It?<\/h3>\n
\nGood Alternatives<\/h2>\n
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\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
1. What can I see with a 130mm reflector telescope?<\/h3>\n
2. What can I see with a 114mm reflector telescope?<\/h3>\n
3. How to set up a reflector telescope<\/h3>\n