Back in early to mid 2018, when I was deciding on what telescope to buy, I somehow missed this video. My needs were, beginner telescope, light weight for carrying up and down 2 stories, and small footprint for use on my apartment balcony. That made for a very short list. SkyWatcher Heritage 130P/AWB OneSky. I bought my 130P in late July 2018, and it's been a brilliant buy. It's an entry level telescope which straddles the border between the high end of beginner/entry gear, and the lower end of the more serious and larger intermediate stuff. The moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, obvious and easy targets. Add a better quality/more powerful eyepiece, and splitting doubles is do-able. But straight out of the box, this is a _good_ scope.
You have a good one. I bought mine in 2018. The secondary mirror is angled a bit too low on mine. I would have had to bend the little pole it hangs from forward to get it right. However, I'd risk breaking it if I do that, so I can never really collimate it dead on center. Also, when the pole is screwed all the way in, the 2nd mirror is turned off to the side. For that mirror to be straight, the pole has to be loose, so the mirror constantly wobbles and has to be swung back into place every few minutes. That is easy enough to do. It does, however, collect a lot of light for a $200 telescope and is easy to use (if there are no quirks) and carry around. The images of brighter, bigger objects, such as Jupiter, are pretty clear, even with my alignment issues. Even the moons of Jupiter and Saturn can be seen on a clear night from my porch in my small city.
great video! I bought one a few months ago and inadvertently loosened the locking bolt you mentioned too much resulting in the need for my first collimation after it fell off the mount and hit the deck. prior to that I didn't have to make any adjustments even though I used it numerous times. i'm a noob at all of this, lol. I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter.
Hi have you ever make a video to show how to use the AWB OneSky Reflector Telescope to see stars? I am a real beginner. Got this telescope as hand me down and the user manual is missing. Watched RUclips and learned to set it up. Now I need some basics tips to know what to do next so I can see stars. Can you let me know please?
Astronomy has been one of my hobbies since I was 10 yrs old (now 75) and I have many telescopes in my scope shed. From 4" to 16" but the bigger scopes take some time and muscle to set up. Many nights I just want to view for 30 mins or so which leaves out the setting up most of the larger scopes. A grab and go telescope makes for a better choice for a short viewing time sooooo I bought one of these Astronomer Without Borders scopes used for $100 and it has been one of my best buys ever. Lite to carry and fast to setup and get viewing. Small mirror, yes but very capable for a quick look at the night sky. Images are very good if collimated well. I worked at an observatory for 20+ years with 32" and 24" telescopes so I believe that I can give a fairly decent review. This 5" telescope is limited for sure but for it's size it is remarkable in what it can do. I believe it is the best beginner scope and at a great price. I used mine just last night in fact and got good views of Saturn and Jupiter and a few brighter globular clusters. 8/29/2022
I ordered one and await delivery. *Everyone* characterizing it as a 'beginner' scope, is not instilling me with confidence. I chose between this, a Zhumell z130, a Skywatcher 150p and an Orion XT8. My #1 is still an early 90s Meade 4500 I built a lightweight dob mount and stool/tripod for. I would've preferred a 6" but decided that the 8 would get far less use than any of them and the 150 would be an uncomfortable medium that would leave me wishing Id gone with the 8. I couldn't really find anything in between the 8 and the 130s that I wanted to make the spend on. My prime location doesnt give a single clear view and if Im out for more than a couple hours, I end up moving a couple times. So, I chose this model specifically for portability and simplicity and it seemed the most bang for the buck of the similar choices. I was really interested in the Zhumell, but knew nothing about them. Turns out, they're made by the same OEM as Orion.
Great video, nice and simple. Looks like a great scope for someone curious and handy to get a better look at the planets. I have a couple of things of concerns before I'd take the plunge and buy one: A. Collimation (a brief video on this would be great) which I don't quite understand from the instruction manual or this video. Many are instruction-manual challenged so a visual guide would be really helpful. B. If I could somehow attach a camera to get photographs. Best is my Canon M3 or as second choice an iPhone. Thank you.
Do you ever even mess with the secondary mirror screws on the OneSky? (Assuming I'm looking in the right place) They appear so deep I don't think I could ever get a screw driver on them, much less an Allen key if it was called for. Can't even tell what kind of head they've got on them.
I was looking for a scope that was good but still portable(motorcycle camping). This really fits the bill with its collapsability. Benefits a good cause also. Win win. Just wish they weren't in back order till December right now.
It would have been nice if you explained what you were doing and how to center the ?dot?. It's great that you have done it hundreds of times, but this is telescope for beginners and that is why I am watching.
@@t4N9410oR Alright wise-guy. A quick explanation would have been helpful. This is a beginners telescope, which means people come to this video with next to no experience with them.
@@nullobject5943 So you are saying that viewers are unintelligent enough to come looking for a review, and expecting it to also be a How To ? That is thoroughly wrong thinking.
@@nullobject5943 Your original comment on this video, as well as your initial reply to me. Both are saying that this review, should have been a How To for beginners, and that beginners would _expect_ such How To infotmation to be in a review video.
130mm reflector dob seems to be the way to go for ambitioned beginners. Seems there are quite a few decent ones for 200 dollar. Originally i wanted to get a refractor as my 1st teleskop, but i wanted to go 90-100 mm at least, but the there seems nothing decent in my budget. 70mm at best.
already am! great wee scope, and very easy to setup and use and I have no prior experience with telescopes save what I've learned online from folks like you.
Really nice review! I would get one for myself, if not for the fact that I already have the Bushnell version of it. A serious sized aperture scope, especially for someone like me who uses smaller aperture scopes.
Nice video. I have a question related to astronomy and I thought someone here might know. Is there a prominent star that someone could follow from anywhere in the States that would guide them to Old Crow in the Yukon? I'm researching a story I'm attempting to write that is the reason for this question. Thanks for any advice you can give.
this looks lovely. Thank you. is there a mount for a webcam or cell phone to get continuous video shots, and/or night vision scope in addition to this telescope? i have an ad astra II (oldie!) and use my cell and get awesome Moon shots, but want something i can connect or rig up (with pvc piping and twist ties if i have to!) a way to get good digital footage on my laptop with a better result. any suggestions? Thanks- wixx
Hi Dave, great video thank you for your review. I'm a bit confused, and google is failing me. I want to be able to put my DSLR on this (or any "first telescope" I buy). Can you shed some light on how that works? Do I just need a "T" adapter for my camera mount? Or does a camera lens need to be used in place of the eyepiece? I'm pretty much set on getting this, but some clarification on taking photos with it would be helpful, just if you have any insight. Thanks man.
hi, i'm looking to buy a cheap telescope because i can't afford expensive ones. I want to look at planets, mars, jupiter etc. Will I be able to see them or will it be very blur?
i have another question, whats the highest magnification you would go with this telescope and what eyepiece would you have to buy in that case? If i understood correct, the scope only offers x65 with the included eyepiece.I gotta say that a little bit disappointing allthough i know magnification isnt all.
Thanks! - really interested in getting this as my first and only telescope! What I really want to do is connect this to my Olympus OMD camera...IF that is even possible? Need to find exact step-by-step instructions. Just starting out.
Did you attach your camera? I ordered this on New Year's Eve and just got the shipping email! I want to attach my camera as well, please let me know if you did and how did it go.
I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter. i'm in the northern hemisphere so other than the moon Jupiter is the most detailed object I've viewed so far.
It is sold elsewhere as the Skywatcher Heritage 130P. There is an explanation about why they cannot ship elsewhere in the AWB order page under General FAQ
With that collapsing system, high power is out. This is an intro scope for use in third world countries. It is a community demo scope. Unistellar's eVscope will serve this function when it comes out next year (May, 2019). The eVscope stands to revolutionize amateur astronomy. Worth checking out.
It's not a toy. Trust me. You can CLEARLY see the Cassini division, and in good seeing, the shadow transit of Jupiter's moons on the face of the planet.
I’m (much) older and I’ve purchased this as my first telescope. I’m so excited, I feel like a kid again. Thanks for the review.
Back in early to mid 2018, when I was deciding on what telescope to buy, I somehow missed this video. My needs were, beginner telescope, light weight for carrying up and down 2 stories, and small footprint for use on my apartment balcony. That made for a very short list. SkyWatcher Heritage 130P/AWB OneSky. I bought my 130P in late July 2018, and it's been a brilliant buy. It's an entry level telescope which straddles the border between the high end of beginner/entry gear, and the lower end of the more serious and larger intermediate stuff. The moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, obvious and easy targets. Add a better quality/more powerful eyepiece, and splitting doubles is do-able. But straight out of the box, this is a _good_ scope.
Fantastic video and explanation! Thank you for making this it worked like a dream!
You have a good one. I bought mine in 2018. The secondary mirror is angled a bit too low on mine. I would have had to bend the little pole it hangs from forward to get it right. However, I'd risk breaking it if I do that, so I can never really collimate it dead on center. Also, when the pole is screwed all the way in, the 2nd mirror is turned off to the side. For that mirror to be straight, the pole has to be loose, so the mirror constantly wobbles and has to be swung back into place every few minutes. That is easy enough to do. It does, however, collect a lot of light for a $200 telescope and is easy to use (if there are no quirks) and carry around. The images of brighter, bigger objects, such as Jupiter, are pretty clear, even with my alignment issues. Even the moons of Jupiter and Saturn can be seen on a clear night from my porch in my small city.
I have been looking for a good table top for a while now. This solves my problem on which one. A great scope and a great cause.
great video! I bought one a few months ago and inadvertently loosened the locking bolt you mentioned too much resulting in the need for my first collimation after it fell off the mount and hit the deck. prior to that I didn't have to make any adjustments even though I used it numerous times. i'm a noob at all of this, lol. I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter.
Hi have you ever make a video to show how to use the AWB OneSky Reflector Telescope to see stars? I am a real beginner. Got this telescope as hand me down and the user manual is missing. Watched RUclips and learned to set it up. Now I need some basics tips to know what to do next so I can see stars. Can you let me know please?
Astronomy has been one of my hobbies since I was 10 yrs old (now 75) and I have many telescopes in my scope shed. From 4" to 16" but the bigger scopes take some time and muscle to set up. Many nights I just want to view for 30 mins or so which leaves out the setting up most of the larger scopes. A grab and go telescope makes for a better choice for a short viewing time sooooo I bought one of these Astronomer Without Borders scopes used for $100 and it has been one of my best buys ever. Lite to carry and fast to setup and get viewing. Small mirror, yes but very capable for a quick look at the night sky. Images are very good if collimated well. I worked at an observatory for 20+ years with 32" and 24" telescopes so I believe that I can give a fairly decent review.
This 5" telescope is limited for sure but for it's size it is remarkable in what it can do. I believe it is the best beginner scope and at a great price. I used mine just last night in fact and got good views of Saturn and Jupiter and a few brighter globular clusters. 8/29/2022
I ordered one and await delivery. *Everyone* characterizing it as a 'beginner' scope, is not instilling me with confidence. I chose between this, a Zhumell z130, a Skywatcher 150p and an Orion XT8. My #1 is still an early 90s Meade 4500 I built a lightweight dob mount and stool/tripod for. I would've preferred a 6" but decided that the 8 would get far less use than any of them and the 150 would be an uncomfortable medium that would leave me wishing Id gone with the 8. I couldn't really find anything in between the 8 and the 130s that I wanted to make the spend on. My prime location doesnt give a single clear view and if Im out for more than a couple hours, I end up moving a couple times. So, I chose this model specifically for portability and simplicity and it seemed the most bang for the buck of the similar choices. I was really interested in the Zhumell, but knew nothing about them. Turns out, they're made by the same OEM as Orion.
Great video, nice and simple.
Looks like a great scope for someone curious and handy to get a better look at the planets.
I have a couple of things of concerns before I'd take the plunge and buy one:
A. Collimation (a brief video on this would be great) which I don't quite understand from the instruction manual or this video. Many are instruction-manual challenged so a visual guide would be really helpful.
B. If I could somehow attach a camera to get photographs. Best is my Canon M3 or as second choice an iPhone.
Thank you.
Great grab'n go! Thanks for sharing Mr Trott!
You are welcome!
Do you ever even mess with the secondary mirror screws on the OneSky?
(Assuming I'm looking in the right place) They appear so deep I don't think I could ever get a screw driver on them, much less an Allen key if it was called for. Can't even tell what kind of head they've got on them.
thank you for the wonderful review. very informative and you have a *wonderful* manner and presence.
Excellent review, thorough and clearly presented. You sold me. I just ordered one. Thanks!
Glad you like the video, Doug. I hope you enjoy your scope!
Hope you like your AWB scope Doug! BTW, do you still have your Starblast 6?
Stonehill,Road 47 Essex Leigh on Sea England and Santa buy Heritage Celestron Sky Watcher moon and SpaceX Dragon toy stand Space Station big stand toy
I was looking for a scope that was good but still portable(motorcycle camping). This really fits the bill with its collapsability. Benefits a good cause also. Win win. Just wish they weren't in back order till December right now.
It would have been nice if you explained what you were doing and how to center the ?dot?. It's great that you have done it hundreds of times, but this is telescope for beginners and that is why I am watching.
That's because this isn't a howto on colimating a Newtonian telescope using a Cheshire eyepiece.
@@t4N9410oR Alright wise-guy. A quick explanation would have been helpful. This is a beginners telescope, which means people come to this video with next to no experience with them.
@@nullobject5943 So you are saying that viewers are unintelligent enough to come looking for a review, and expecting it to also be a How To ? That is thoroughly wrong thinking.
@@t4N9410oR I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, nor do I care. I'm not here to argue with someone on the internet.
@@nullobject5943 Your original comment on this video, as well as your initial reply to me. Both are saying that this review, should have been a How To for beginners, and that beginners would _expect_ such How To infotmation to be in a review video.
130mm reflector dob seems to be the way to go for ambitioned beginners. Seems there are quite a few decent ones for 200 dollar. Originally i wanted to get a refractor as my 1st teleskop, but i wanted to go 90-100 mm at least, but the there seems nothing decent in my budget. 70mm at best.
Thanks so much for this presentation. I just ordered one myself and reviews such as yours were very helpful. Cheers!
Glad they were helpful! Enjoy your scope!
already am! great wee scope, and very easy to setup and use and I have no prior experience with telescopes save what I've learned online from folks like you.
Glad you are learning the hobby. You have a nice scope for a beginner!
Really nice review! I would get one for myself, if not for the fact that I already have the Bushnell version of it. A serious sized aperture scope, especially for someone like me who uses smaller aperture scopes.
You are most welcome, Terry. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks for the video! Very informative.
Should you store this telescope with the base not resting directly on the mount? Thinking the screws might scratch the mount.
Nice video. I have a question related to astronomy and I thought someone here might know. Is there a prominent star that someone could follow from anywhere in the States that would guide them to Old Crow in the Yukon? I'm researching a story I'm attempting to write that is the reason for this question. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Excellent presentation !
Liked/Subscribed !
this looks lovely. Thank you. is there a mount for a webcam or cell phone to get continuous video shots, and/or night vision scope in addition to this telescope?
i have an ad astra II (oldie!) and use my cell and get awesome Moon shots, but want something i can connect or rig up (with pvc piping and twist ties if i have to!) a way to get good digital footage on my laptop with a better result.
any suggestions? Thanks- wixx
Crappy focuser and finder aside - a great telescope, for beginners and travellers alike.
Hi Dave, great video thank you for your review. I'm a bit confused, and google is failing me. I want to be able to put my DSLR on this (or any "first telescope" I buy). Can you shed some light on how that works? Do I just need a "T" adapter for my camera mount? Or does a camera lens need to be used in place of the eyepiece? I'm pretty much set on getting this, but some clarification on taking photos with it would be helpful, just if you have any insight. Thanks man.
t adapter, yes
Did you get this one and did you attach your camera? Mine is now being shipped and I want to attach my camera as well.
hi, i'm looking to buy a cheap telescope because i can't afford expensive ones. I want to look at planets, mars, jupiter etc. Will I be able to see them or will it be very blur?
I suggest you read the information on their website for a clear and detailed answer. Happy viewing!
i have another question, whats the highest magnification you would go with this telescope and what eyepiece would you have to buy in that case? If i understood correct, the scope only offers x65 with the included eyepiece.I gotta say that a little bit disappointing allthough i know magnification isnt all.
Ive seen people on fourms say that 130* would be its best max magnification
Thanks! - really interested in getting this as my first and only telescope! What I really want to do is connect this to my Olympus OMD camera...IF that is even possible? Need to find exact step-by-step instructions. Just starting out.
Did you attach your camera? I ordered this on New Year's Eve and just got the shipping email! I want to attach my camera as well, please let me know if you did and how did it go.
Ok astronomer I love
Hi There, would you be able to show how to separate the telescope from the stand ?
Its rather simple loosen both knobs and slide the scope off the dovetail mount
@@xsauce3858 Thank you so much. Happy New year
Is it possible to show the kind of sky that can be seen with this?
I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter. i'm in the northern hemisphere so other than the moon Jupiter is the most detailed object I've viewed so far.
Need a better description of how to collimate.
Annoys me that they won’t ship here, how is it without borders
It is sold elsewhere as the Skywatcher Heritage 130P. There is an explanation about why they cannot ship elsewhere in the AWB order page under General FAQ
ocelotl456 thanks, good to know
With that collapsing system, high power is out. This is an intro scope for use in third world countries. It is a community demo scope. Unistellar's eVscope will serve this function when it comes out next year (May, 2019). The eVscope stands to revolutionize amateur astronomy. Worth checking out.
It's not a toy. Trust me. You can CLEARLY see the Cassini division, and in good seeing, the shadow transit of Jupiter's moons on the face of the planet.
the Unistellar eVscope costs $3,000
its just 200!!!!!!! so cheap!!!
now i need $200😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
during collimation the adjusting screws popped off and now i can't get them back on. this is ridiculous! terrible manufacturing!!!
We don't need political statements attached to astronomy.
where is it ?