Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope Review

Celestron is well-known in the telescope market for more than 50 years now. They provide a wide range of telescopes to cater to everyone’s needs. The model that we are covering in this article is the top of the line 127mm aperture variant telescope.

The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is generally regarded as a good beginner telescope. However, it has some quirks that you should know before buying this telescope. Let’s take a look at how capable the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is and what downsides it may have.

Specifications of Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ

The following list contains some of the most important features of the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ.

• Type: Newtonian Reflector telescope
• Focal Length: 1000mm
• Focal Ratio: f/7.87
• Aperture: 127mm
• Mount: Manual German Equatorial
• Eyepieces: 20mm (50x magnification), 4mm (250x magnification) and 3x Barlow Lens
• Finderscope: 5×24
• Highest Magnification: 300x
• Lowest Magnification: 18x
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13
• Optical Coatings: Aluminum
• Software: Starry Night (Basic Edition)
• Dimensions: 33 x 17 x 11 inches
• Total Weight (when assembled): 21.38 lbs.

What Does ‘EQ’ stand for? 

In the context of telescopes, EQ means Equatorial Mounting. The proper name for this system is German Equatorial Mount (GEM), but it is commonly known as just EQ. Many telescopes come with the Altazimuth (Alt/Az) mount, a simple two-axis mount that can be adjusted over two axes. In contrast to that, the Equatorial Mount moves in an arc. Once it is properly aligned with the north star, it can be used to track stars in motion easily.

EQ mounts also have a motorized variant that uses a clock timer to move the telescope automatically to track stars. However, this system is not optimal for finding stars and a GoTo mount is a much better alternative. This is because the motorized EQ mount can only move at the same rate as the objects it’s tracking. Due to the complexity of the EQ system, new telescope users are often advised to use a simple Alt/Az mount.

Optics of Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ

This telescope gets its name from the diameter of its primary mirror. The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is equipped with a giant 127mm (5 inches) primary mirror that can capture a lot of light. It also includes a 4mm eyepiece, a 20mm eyepiece, and a 3x Barlow lens.

Likewise, the telescope is also equipped with a 5×24 finderscope which is incredibly helpful when aligning the telescope with objects. It gives way less magnification and resolution compared to the main mirror and provides you with a wider viewing area. As a result, it becomes easier to align the telescope with a specific object.

While Celestron provides quality optics with this telescope, certain compromises are apparent. However, these compromises seem fair because of the economical price of this beginner telescope. One of these compromises is the use of a spherical mirror instead of a parabolic mirror. Although spherical mirrors are cheaper, they may sometimes produce blurry or distorted images. This happens because the light spreads over a region of space instead of one single point.

The PowerSeeker lineup comes with a corrective lens which mitigates this issue to an extent. However, some image distortion will still occur. Fortunately, these optical aberrations are less likely to affect the viewing experience of a new telescope user.

NOTE: Circular mirrors also reduce the body length of the telescope.

Suitable Magnification for Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ

Celestron claims that this telescope can use magnifications as high as 300x. Having said that, a 250x magnification is the best you can reasonably expect from the PowerSeeker 127EQ. If the viewing conditions are NOT optimal, anything up to a 100x magnification is within reach of this telescope.

Celestron’s PowerSeeker 127EQ also comes with a 3x Barlow lens, which can theoretically magnify up to 750x. The problem is that this magnification is too powerful, and it won’t show you anything in the eyepiece. This is the reason why most experienced telescope users do not use very high magnifications.

Normally, the 20mm eyepiece is often used for the 50x magnification. You can enhance the magnification further by using the 3x Barlow lens along with the 20mm eyepiece. This will give you a reasonable magnification of up to 150x.

What Can be Seen with Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ?

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is considered ideal for making near and deep-sky observations. The telescope has a decent focal length and should be used for nighttime viewing. It works well to produce detailed images and can be used to view the Moon, other planets, and distant bright objects, such as nebulae and other galaxies.

Likewise, you can expect to easily see Lunar craters (even small ones) with this telescope. The Martian ice caps are also visible through this telescope, provided the planet is closest to earth in its orbit. The more distant planets, like Neptune and Uranus, appear as flat discs (rather than specks of light).

The telescope viewing experience is further enhanced by the software included with the telescope: Starry Night. This software can help you identify objects in the sky and comes with descriptions of every object. It even includes audio descriptions that you can play while viewing objects through your telescope. Starry Night also allows you to plan your next observation session based on your location. Last but not least, the interface is very friendly, and the entire sky is mapped out accurately.  

The Good and the Bad

The 127EQ has the largest aperture among all of the PowerSeeker lineups. This allows it to capture more light and hence, produce sharper images. The 127mm primary mirror and all the included optics are covered with high-transmission coatings for enhanced image brightness and clarity. The mount includes easily adjustable, slow-motion controls that ensure smooth tracking of objects. The use of a spherical mirror makes this telescope portable and it’s quite easy to assemble (without any tools).

On the other hand, the PowerSeeker 127EQ does suffer from certain problems that many high-end telescopes don’t have. The open-tube design is great, but it also allows dust to accumulate easily. The slow-motion controls do assist in tracking, but fiddling with them results in vibrations that lead to distorted images. Also, the tripod is not that sturdy, and it’s recommended to replace it with a better option.

Summary

For just under $200, Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is a great choice for beginners. Undoubtedly, this telescope is an incredible value for money and is a great budget option for beginners. The cons it has don’t take away from the viewing experience because most novice users will not even notice them. In conclusion, PowerSeeker 127EQ is an ideal telescope for new astronomers who want to explore the night sky.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ be used for Astrophotography?

A. Although PowerSeeker 127EQ can be used for astrophotography, it is NOT an ideal telescope for this purpose. You will need to change the included mount and tripod to get the best results. However, these upgrades alone can cost three times more than the telescope itself, in some cases. If you are considering to get into astrophotography, Night Sky Pix recommends the following telescopes.

• Orion 09565 EON 130mm
• Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm Doublet APO Refractor
• Meade Instruments 216006 Polaris 130 EQ
• Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Edition