Orion StarBlast 4.5 EQ Reflector - Telescope - f/4.0 - reflector

Product Description

Considering how many adults have told us they love our StarBlast "mini Dob," we weren't surprised that some of them suggested we offer the StarBlast optical tube on a full-size telescope mount. Sounded like a good idea to us. So here it is, the StarBlast 4.5 EQ. It's bound to become a favorite of both adults and adolescents alike. It combines the much-heralded StarBlast wide-field (f/4.0) parabolic optics with a sturdy, adjustable height EQ-1 equatorial tracking mount. So if you're an adult (or a parent) looking for an exceptional starter scope on a tracking mount, or an experienced amateur astronomer seeking a more portable alternative to your "light bucket," then get a StarBlast 4.5 EQ. The name says it all!

Review :

Just got this scope and tripod. Weather has not cooperated for much viewing as yet. However, the few times I've been out with the scope, have been extremely pleased. Seems to be a good step up from the cheapo beginner scopes. If you are thinking about a starter scope and dont wish to spend lots of $$S, please take a suggestion from one who has been there and done that. Go ahead and spend over $200-250 for scope and tripod. I spent that much on numerous low end stuff that were unsatisfactory and generally broke soon after. This scope seems much more durable, viewing size is good and the tripod is all metal, very nice. So far no major cons. Will add more if I find any other info with further useage.

ASSEMBLY: After carefully studying the setup instruction manual and taking inventory of all the parts, the setup was straightforward following the step-by-step procedure. It seemed like there were a few minor steps missing, but if you keep focused on the end result it is easy to fill in the few minor gaps and successfully complete the assembly. NOTE: all tools required for assembly are included.

TRIPOD/EQUATORIAL MOUNT: The tripod is made of aluminum tubes which are light but sturdy and setup easily in the field. I use a small level (purchased from a hardware store) to level the tripod, setting it on the handy accessory tray. The knobs used to lock in the height adjustment are large enough so that someone wearing gloves (for those cold nights) could get their fingers on them. The equatorial mount is solid and heavy. The latitude adjustment/lock controls work well, with latitude indicator crisply marked (be sure to remove the thin plastic film that covers it. The right ascension/declination indicators are also well marked (but I use a red led flashlight and drugstore reading glasses in the field), and they are surprisingly accurate at locating celestial objects providing that you have performed a proper polar alignment in the field. That takes some practice (remember I have never owned a telescope), but once it's done it is easy to keep an object centered in the field of view with a gentle twist of the right ascension/declination slow-motion control knobs (included). The counterweight is sized just right and the balance is easily achieved (part of the setup procedure) and allows for very smooth manual slewing of the telescope. Once in position, the right ascension/declination locking knobs hold the telescope in place.

OPTICAL TUBE AND EYEPIECES: The optical tube is nicely constructed and comes fully assembled complete with dust covers for the objective (big hole) and the focuser (little hole), as well as felt-lined tube rings to hold the telescope firmly on to the equatorial mount, and to allow rotation of the optical tube in the field for easier viewing. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully when mounting these rings as it is possible to get it wrong-or maybe it's just me! The focuser control knob works well and holds its position in the field. Two eyepieces are included with the telescope: a 15mm and a 6mm. Given the optical tube focal length of 450mm, these eyepieces will provide a magnification of 450/15 = 30X, and 450/6 = 75X, respectively. According to Orion's specifications, the 'Highest useful magnification' of this optical tube is 228X, and so it seems like the scope will easliy accomodate a 2X Barlow lens (NOT INCLUDED) to get 60X and 150X magnification from this scope, albeit for brighter objects (the reason why brighter is left as an exercise for the reader). Each eyepiece has its own box and dust covers. Be sure to unfurl the rubber around the eyepiece for maximum comfort.

EZ FINDER II FINDER SCOPE: This gadget is a gem! Once you have properly aligned the red-dot LED with the optical tube center line (which will take a bit of trial and error), it is incredibly easy to manually slew the telescope to center the red dot on a bright object and have that object appear within the eyepiece field of view. You will only have to use the slow-motion controls to center it up from then on. I like viewing all the stars in a constellation in a matter of minutes, which is interesting and a great way to learn the night sky. As for locating fainter objects, that will take a little more effort and a proper polar alignment.

COLLIMATION CAP: Included is a collimation cap that facilitates alignment of the primary and secondary mirrors, which is a necessary maintenance procedure on Newtonian reflector telescopes. The Orion website has a video outlining this procedure which is required viewing before attempting to perform this procedure, in my opinion. The included manual has a section on collimation that has diagrams and step-by-step instructions that should also be studied and followed for best results. Even if you do not perform this procedure, you will be able to evaluate the factory alignment. In my judgement, mine was a touch off and so I collimated my StarBlast 4.5 once and am pleased with the results. NOTE: You will have to obtain a 2mm allen wrench to perform this procedure. I think Orion should have included this tool, but they do not do so.

STARRY NIGHT SOFTWARE: Bottom line, this software installed fine on my HP laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium, but it crashed my computer down to the bare metal every time I tried to use it. The third-party vendor customer service was responsive and offered some suggestions, but after a few go-backs with them I simply uninstalled it and abandoned the effort. Your experience will be better I hope. In the meantime, I found this program called Stellarium (freeware) which is absolutely awesome and makes it a pleasure to understand the night sky and locate all the objects my telescope is capable of seeing, and a whole lot more. Check them out!

OVERALL SATISFACTION: I have used my telescope about 6 times so far and I have found the experience very satisfying. I've seen the Andromeda Galaxy, Jupiter, Saturn, a whole bunch of stars and, of course, the Moon in astonishing detail! I have also bought a 2X Barlow lens and a moon filter directly from Orion and am looking forward to using them soon. I am glad I bought the Orion StarBlast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector, and I thank Amazon and all the reviewers who went before me to help me zero in on this purchase.