Meade DS-2130ATS Newtonian Reflector Telescope, 130 mm (5.1"), Computer Controlled, Short Tube

Mirror, Mirror

The optical design of this telescope includes high-resolution primary and secondary mirrors, free of the optical zones and irregularities often found in lower-quality optics. Standard alumimum optical coatings on the lenses increase light transmission through the optical system and increase image contrast, two very important factors in successful celestial viewing. Additionally, integrated on the focuser sleeves of these models is an achromatic relay lens that allows longer focal lengths to fit into a short, compact tube only 5.7" in diameter x 18" long. All Meade Digital Series telescopes resolve to the theoretical limits of their respective apertures, which is a fancy way of saying they grab all the light they can, so you have a better view. The 130 mm (5.1") mirror on this telescope provides images that are more than 265% brighter than what you would see through a 70 mm telescope, allowing you to view fainter, more distant objects in far greater detail. A large and exciting array of objects are visible with this telescope including: Saturn's rings (with enough detail to view the Cassini division in the rings); Saturn's largest moon (Titan); Jupiter's four largest moons; Jupiter's cloud belts; and craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines on our own Moon. You can also observe the Moonlike phases of the planet Venus and hundreds of deep-space phenomena like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. This telescope provides stellar performance without the astronomic price you might expect. If you're serious about star gazing--but want to keep your budget down to earth--this telescope is certainly worth exploring.

The Convenience Of Computer Control

Since this telescope includes both Meade's dual-motor electronic control system and the compatible Autostar Computer Controller, all you have to do is plug it in, perform a quick alignment (less than a minute), and you'll soon be enjoying fascinating celestial views from commonly observed objects like the Orion Nebula, to harder to locate objects like the Ring Nebula in Lyra. Any of Autostar's database objects can be called up and entered in seconds. Then just press the GO TO button and watch as the telescope automatically moves to the object and places it in the field of view. Autostar's database holds over 1,400 celestial objects including: deep space objects, 863 stars, the eight major planets (Mercury to Pluto), 26 asteroids, 15 periodic comets, and 50 Earth-orbiting satellites. If the object you wish to view is not in the database, just enter the object's coordinates (right ascension and declination) and Autostar will locate it. This is great for viewing irregularly-occurring phenomena like some comets. You can also add the locations of a number of user-defined objects and go back to them at any time. The Autostar display provides information on the mythology of constellations and important objects located within their boundaries, as well as over twenty other menu options, including major event menus with useful data on Moon phases, equinoxes, and more. Plus, there are utility functions like a timer, alarm, eyepiece power calculator, and others. If you just want to scan the skies, use the Autostar's entry keys to move the telescope on either or both axes simultaneously (9 speeds, from 1x sidereal to 5.5 degrees per second); or select a Guided Tour and Autostar will automatically take you to the best objects to view on any particular night.

Support Your Scope

Steady support is extremely important to getting the best performance from your new telescope. Even a minute movement can ruin your view when you're looking at something out in space, and you certainly don't want your scope tipping over! That's why Meade offers you their support. Included with your new telescope is a heavy-duty aluminum full-length tripod with a built-in accessory tray for added convenience. The fully adjustable legs provide extra portability and easy set-up while giving your telescope the stable support it needs.

It's Full of Stars

Meade's StarNavigator software is also included with your Digital Series telescope. This easy-to-use and informative software package displays more than 10,000 celestial objects including galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planets. With StarNavigator, even a novice astronomer can easily locate and identify objects for viewing. You can also use StarNavigator to print star charts for observing sessions or reports. StarNavigator is compatible with any Windows-based personal computer.

Included With Purchase:

Autostar Computer Controller, battery pack accepting eight AA batteries (not included), StarNavigator software, field tripod, and Instruction Manual.

Write A Review

DS2130ATS Review (May 27, 2005)

Ease of Use		(4/5.0)
Value		(5/5.0)
Performance		(4/5.0)
Overall Rating		(4/5.0)

Reviewed By: Eric B. - Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

I recently purchased a Meade DS2130ATS telescope, and thus far, it has not disappointed me. The optics are higher quality than the DS2114ATS model it does not contain the correcting Barlow internal lens, yet it was the same price. This telescope offers good value for the money, with a large enough aperture to view most of the objects of interest to amateur astronomers. While telescopes with larger apertures may deliver better images, they can easily cost you much more. For the average backyard astronomer or parent looking to purchase a scope for their child, spending thousands of dollars on a telescope is not an option. Therefore, I would highly recommend this telescope as a less expensive alternative. Try it out for yourself and see!

Meade DS2130ATS (March 21, 2005)

Ease of Use		(5/5.0)
Value		(5/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: David P James - Jadwin, Missouri

Here I am staring my 60th year in the face but feel really good about myself as far as modern tech is concerned. I was not born digital but have been reborn dig. and love it. Well that was till my wife and I decided to embark on our new interest of Astromomy. We have been using our unaided eyes and a wide field binocular for the last couple of years and now have decided to advance to a telescope and perhaps some Astrophotography. I launched into researching what was available in our price range and soon was drowning in a mass of information about telescopes eg type, size, focal length, eye pieces, software, tripods, add-ons, etc. You get the picture. Whew, I am usually able to get on line and organize myself and come to a decision on what it is I want to buy, be within my budget, know where I am going to purchase from, and generally feel good about myself in just a short time. Well this telescope thing really did me in. I thought ok I will just check out some of the various user groups and then I will be able to make a clear headed decision. Nada. Just more tons of info. that clouded my head even more. In desperation I thought I would try getting some info. from online retail stores. I know not usually a good idea but......I was getting more confused by the day I pulled the trigger and typed telescopes into my search engine. Well I don't have to tell ya'all that there were hundreds if not thousands of places I could try. Lost again. I did the equivalent of closing my eyes and putting my finger on one of the choices and hit enter. Vanns came up and I took a look at what was offered. Still a lot of choices. Even so I found the format user friendly and was able to get my choices down to just two. I called and was pleasantly surprised when a person answered, not a recording, and ask how he could help me. All my questions were answered quickly with no pressure and I felt like I was finally getting somewhere. I discussed the two telescopes I had narrowed our choices down to with my wife and we choose the Meade DS2130ATS. It has all the earmarks of a good beginners telescope and a really great price was offered. Not to mention that the shipping was included in the price. And not only that but a Meade Electronic eye piece was to be had at a fraction of the usual price. One of the reasons I choose Meade is that their scopes are made here in the good old US of A. My telescope came in the promised time and boy! was I excited. I unpacked everything and made a quick inventory. All was in order. I opened the instruction manual and to my surprise it was written in english I could understand. You know what I mean, some of the manuals written these days are in english but not easy to understand In just a few minutes I had the basic scope set up and ready to take outside to my backyard. I turned on the onboard go-to computer and wow! it did its own alignment using two availabe stars and I was set to view the universe at the touch of my finger on the included Autostar controller. First, however, there was a beautiful crecent moom out and I manually adjusted the scope to view our closest neighbor in space. I was broadsided at the beauty of our moon and just how clear the eyepiecetelescope showed me our moons details. Well that did it I was hooked on my new interest due to a wonderful first experience with the DS2130ATS. I would encourage anyone that is looking for a beginner scope to consider the 2130. I am looking forward to may years of use with mine.