The most aperture per dollar, and an alignment to keep · review
SOLOMARK's 130EQ: a 130 mm Newtonian with fully coated optics and a carbon-fiber-look tube on a German equatorial mount with slow-motion cables, two eyepieces, a 1.5x erecting Barlow, a 13% Moon filter and a phone adapter.
The SOLOMARK 130EQ is a 130 mm (5.1 in) Newtonian with fully coated optics and a carbon-fiber covering on the tube. It comes with two eyepieces, a 1.5x erecting Barlow, a 1.25-inch Moon filter rated at 13% transmission and a cellphone adapter.
A German equatorial with a setting dial and slow-motion control cables, on a large-diameter adjustable aluminum tripod with an accessory tray. Once polar-aligned, the cables follow the Moon or a planet.
Neither the telescope’s focal length nor the eyepieces’ focal lengths are published. Without them, magnification cannot be calculated, and replacement eyepieces cannot be chosen with confidence.
Celestron’s AstroMaster 130EQ costs about $20 more and names its coatings and eyepieces; this one adds a Barlow, a Moon filter and a phone adapter.
On November 7, 2026, Amazon.com listed it at about $270 from a third-party seller.
Figures as Keepa reported them on the day this page was last updated. Stock and pricing shift without warning.
Prices quoted in this text were read on November 7, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
Same aisle, closest price — what the same spend else shows.
| Aperture | 130 mm (5.1 in), stated |
|---|---|
| Focal length and ratio | Not published by the maker. |
| Optical design | Newtonian reflector · carbon-fiber covering on the tube surface, stated |
| Mirror coating | Fully coated optics, stated |
| Secondary obstruction | Not published by the maker. |
| Focuser type | Not published by the maker. |
| Collimation access | Not published by the maker. |
| Tube length | Not published by the maker. |
| Mount supplied | German equatorial with dial and slow-motion control cables · large-diameter adjustable aluminum tripod with tray |
| Supplied accessories | Two eyepieces (focal lengths not named) · 1.5x erecting Barlow · 1.25 in Moon filter, 13% transmission · cellphone adapter |
| Amazon reference | B087CRF6CT |
| EAN | 0703501411404 |
It passes 13% of the light, cutting the Moon's glare to a comfortable level so craters and maria show more contrast.
A lens that raises magnification by half and turns the image upright, mainly for daytime viewing.
The listing does not say. Ask the seller before buying eyepieces, since magnification depends on it.
7.8/ 10
A generously equipped 130 mm let down on paper by the one figure the listing forgets to print: its focal length.
This model is listed on Amazon.com, at ≈ $270 at the last reading. Listed is not the same as in stock: availability changes daily, and the buy box shows the live price.
Details checked on November 7, 2026.
A second telescope, or a first for someone willing to learn an equatorial mount
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for telescopes and observing optics and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
114 mm (4.49 in) mirror · 900 mm (35.4 in) focal length · f/7.9 · alt-azimuth mount
A 114/900 Newtonian reflector on a simple alt-azimuth mount and aluminum tripod, supplied with 25, 9 and 4 mm eyepieces, a 6x30 finder, a 1.5x erecting lens and a 3x Barlow.
Best for: A family telescope for planets and bright deep-sky objects, where nobody wants to learn polar alignment
114 mm (4.5 in) Newtonian · German equatorial with slow-motion altitude rod · 20 mm and 4 mm eyepieces · 3x Barlow
Celestron's PowerSeeker 114EQ: a 114 mm Newtonian on a manual German equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod, supplied with 20 mm and 4 mm eyepieces and a 3x Barlow.
Best for: A first equatorial reflector bought on price
≈ $180
127 mm (5 in) Newtonian · German equatorial with slow-motion altitude rod · 20 mm and 4 mm eyepieces · 3x Barlow
Celestron's PowerSeeker 127EQ: a 127 mm Newtonian on a manual German equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod, supplied with 20 mm and 4 mm eyepieces and a 3x Barlow.
Best for: The most aperture on this shelf for about $200
≈ $200
