Celestron Astromaster 130eq Vs Skywatcher 130PEQ2 - Plus how to use an EQ mount

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I have a Celestron 130EQ and an Orion 130mm Spaceprobe with a parabolic mirror. I prefer the Orion, as it has two spacers on the all metal focuser which can be removed or replaced if needed to allow prime focus with a dedicated telescope camera or DLSR. And, the motor drive is vastly superior. That said, the Celestron 130EQ with the crummy motor drive is the best of the Astromaster line, in my opinion.

[@ArdsleyAstro]

I don't disagree. The 130EQ is the best in Crestron's Astromaster line. I just find the Sky-watcher to be a better all rounder. The Orion scope sounds interesting though, being able to prime focus a DSLR.

[@mehensley1234]

I have the Celestron 130 Eq, and my unit does not have a spherical mirror. If you have a spherical mirror, you must have a sub-aperture corrector lens in the focuser (Jones-Bird Newtonian). Otherwise, you will have spherical aberrations. My unit does not have this configuration. It is the same as my four other Sky-Watcher newts, just smaller.

[@ArdsleyAstro]

Hi, My Astro master 130 is quite old, but my understanding is the mirror is spherical even though it doesn't have the lens in the focuser you mention. This means you do get Spherical Aberrations with the Astro master 130EQ. There is a blog post on the Celestron website from 2011 stating the mirror is spherical. Ill post the link in the description