This review is from: Orion StarBlast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope
The equatorial mount setup is really a quite lengthy process. It comes in numerous pieces so, if you are buying this get ready to spend most of the very first night putting them all together and figuring out how (the instructions manual just isn’t quite user friendly…you’ll find two primary pictures you might be supposed to use as guide but not too helpful).
The upside of this is that, once armed and leveled, it is pretty strong and firm so you do not have to be adjusting screws and notches all the time like with my previous telescope. This also helps to hold the target image nevertheless.
Packaging was AWFUL. My telescope arrived broken: the primary mirror had separated from the bottom on the tube and hit the secondary mirror numerous times (during transit most likely). The major reflector mirror ended up severely scratched plus the secondary mirror broken. I put it all back together as ideal I could, collimated (adjusted the mirrors angles and tilt) as described within the user’s guide and tested the telescope on Jupiter and its Galilean moons.
The effect in the broken/scratched mirrors is obvious along with the image just isn’t clear. You do not get to see Jupiter’s gas stripes as advertised. You are able to nevertheless get a very good look at the earth moon though. I’m nonetheless waiting on Saturn to become visible to evaluate. The item is reasonably large and a little heavy so don’t think you’ll be able to just drive it around easily, unless you’ve a big trunk.
For the price, it’s certainly worth it, assuming you get it delivered in far better conditions than I received mine. I’m not happy with it but its not like I’m extremely disappointed at it.
