Celestron Astromaster 114 eq Review

Beginners will get a lot of value out of a Celestron Astromaster 114 eq. Weighing in at seventeen pounds, it is light enough to be carried out to the backyard for some spur of the moment stargazing. It is simple to set up and use, and is an ideal starter telescope. It is also a great family scope that people of any age can enjoy.

Since the Astromaster 114 eq is a reflector telescope of a modified Newtonian design, the tube is only eighteen inches long. In this compact size, the main mirror is of a short focal length and has a built in correcting lens. This results in a powerful and effective 40 inch focal length.

The Astromaster has superior light-gathering specs when compared to a typical 60mm telescope. Objects appear bright and sharp through either of the standard lenses it comes with. View the moon through the 20mm eye piece for some astoundingly detailed visuals. Children and adults alike will revel at just how many craters the moon's surface really has! The 10mm eye piece is great for seeking out planets and discovering just what Saturn's rings really look like.

Land viewing is also enjoyable through the Astromaster. It tracks smoothly and has a satisfactory amount of magnification for observing plants or insects. It also is pleasing for bird watching. It doesn't matter if the viewer will use it for terrestrial or celestial viewing, either way the visuals are clear, in focus, and brightly lit with the right amount of contrast.

This telescope is surprisingly easy to set up and comes with detailed instructions that include easy-to-follow illustrations. The tube sits on a solid CG-2 equatorial mount and the tripod is durable steel that doesn't wobble. Set up and alignment can be done in under thirty minutes by even the most inexperienced stargazer. No tools are required for set up unlike some other scopes that require calibration and adjustments right out of the box.

Newbies to the hobby of astronomy will get a lot of use out of the Celestron Astromaster 114 eq. Another good thing about this telescope is its compact size and how it won't take up a lot of floor space. It looks nice on the tripod but can also be easily packed up and stowed away in between uses. This telescope offers a lot of power and quality for the price. It is durable and will withstand inexperienced people or younger children using it.