Varrow Vesper 130 reflector, tube with GoTo mount

Specifications

Description

The Vesper 130 is a Newtonian reflector with a 130 mm parabolic mirror and a 900 mm focal length, for a focal ratio of f/6.9. That moderate ratio is forgiving: collimation tolerances are wider than in faster reflectors, and stars stay sharp across most of the field even with simple eyepieces.

At 130 mm, the aperture gathers about 3.4 times as much light as a 70 mm refractor. That makes a visible difference on faint targets. Globular clusters such as M13 and M5 begin to resolve into stars at their edges, the Ring Nebula shows its ring shape, and galaxy pairs such as M81 and M82 are easy to find under suburban skies.

The longer focal length also helps on the planets. With a 6 mm eyepiece the Vesper 130 reaches 150x, where Saturn shows the Cassini Division on a steady night and Mars shows dark markings near opposition. The 6x30 optical finder shows more stars than a red-dot finder, which helps when you star-hop to faint objects.

Both mirrors have adjustment screws, and the primary has a center spot for quick collimation with a cap or a laser. The open tube design lets the mirror cool in about 20 to 30 minutes on most nights. The tube weighs 4.4 kg, which suits light equatorial mounts as well as alt-az mounts.

The Vesper 130 is a practical choice when you want more aperture than a small refractor without the size of a Dobsonian. It is light enough to carry outside in one trip and large enough to keep you busy with Messier objects for several seasons.

About this configuration

This listing covers one specific configuration of the Varrow Vesper 130 reflector, defined by its bundle, finish, accessory kit, and edition year. The GoTo mount finds objects from its database after a short alignment on two or three bright stars. Motorized tracking on the GoTo mount keeps objects in view, which helps when several people take turns at the eyepiece. Carbon fiber saves some weight compared with a metal tube, which eases the load on the mount and on your arms.

This configuration comes without extra accessories, so budget for at least one more eyepiece if you are starting out. The 2023 edition uses the same optical design as later years, with small differences in fittings and labels. Check the specifications table for the optical figures, since they stay the same across every configuration of the Vesper line.

What's in the box

• Optical tube with 130 mm parabolic primary mirror
• Tube rings with Vixen-style dovetail bar
• 6x30 optical finder with bracket
• Collimation cap
• Dust caps
• GoTo mount with steel tripod
• Hand controller and 12 V power cable

Compatibility notes

• Accepts standard 1.25 in eyepieces, filters, and Barlow lenses.
• The Vixen-style dovetail bar fits light equatorial and alt-az mounts rated for at least 6 kg.
• Reaches focus with DSLR cameras through a 1.25 in T-adapter.