We Also Recommend
-
Celestron Powerseeker 114EQ Reflector Telescope
Our Price:
$279.00Retail Price: $379.00
Save $100.00 (26%)
-
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope
Our Price:
$399.00Retail Price: $499.00
Save $100.00 (20%)
-
SAXON F1149EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope
Our Price:
$199.00Retail Price: $495.00
Save $296.00 (60%)
-
SAXON F767AZ Newtonian Reflector Telescope
Sale Price:
$129.00Retail Price: $225.00
Save $96.00 (43%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Please let me know how long the SW450 telescope is? Does the 900mm focal length mean that the tube will be at least that long?
Same for the SW80 with 400mm focal length.
What are the significant differences between each of the above - for a beginner astro viewing and also for land object viewing please?
Same for the SW80 with 400mm focal length.
What are the significant differences between each of the above - for a beginner astro viewing and also for land object viewing please?
A:
The focal length does not necessarily equal the tube length. The focal length is the distance between the center of the mirror and the point of it being focused by the eyepiece. It is dependent also on whether the telescope uses mirrors or lenses or a combination of both. The SW450 has an 89cm tube and I believe the SW80 has a much shorter tube length, though I don't have the exact measurements as we don't stock these on our site.
As for differences between the two scopes, the different focal lengths make a difference in how you may see an object. With a shorter focal length you get a wider field of view and with a longer focal length you see closer, which is better for viewing deep sky objects and for astrophotography. With aperture, the wider it is the better your image clarity and contrast. Therefore for any astronomical viewing, including for beginners, the telescope with the larger aperture would be better.
For viewing land objects, reflector telescopes are generally unsuitable as they would project the image inverted or flipped upside down. To use a reflector for land viewing you would need to get the proper erecting image eyepiece or diagonal to help flip the image the right side up. Telescopes that are best for land viewing are refractor telescopes. Refractors use lenses so they project the image right side up, whereas reflectors use mirrors which tend to project the image in the wrong side up or inverted.
I believe that the SW80 is a refractor so it would be suited for land viewing but with an 80mm aperture, it's quite small so it wouldn't give you as wide a view for astronomy as the SW450 which has a 114mm aperture. I guess it depends on what you would be using the scope for the most - astronomy or land viewing?
As for differences between the two scopes, the different focal lengths make a difference in how you may see an object. With a shorter focal length you get a wider field of view and with a longer focal length you see closer, which is better for viewing deep sky objects and for astrophotography. With aperture, the wider it is the better your image clarity and contrast. Therefore for any astronomical viewing, including for beginners, the telescope with the larger aperture would be better.
For viewing land objects, reflector telescopes are generally unsuitable as they would project the image inverted or flipped upside down. To use a reflector for land viewing you would need to get the proper erecting image eyepiece or diagonal to help flip the image the right side up. Telescopes that are best for land viewing are refractor telescopes. Refractors use lenses so they project the image right side up, whereas reflectors use mirrors which tend to project the image in the wrong side up or inverted.
I believe that the SW80 is a refractor so it would be suited for land viewing but with an 80mm aperture, it's quite small so it wouldn't give you as wide a view for astronomy as the SW450 which has a 114mm aperture. I guess it depends on what you would be using the scope for the most - astronomy or land viewing?
