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Considering upgrade from 127EQ to 127SLT for planetary and deep-sky imaging

Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ Alt-Az Mount Equipment GoTo Smartphone Acquisition Buying Advice Deep Sky
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krm14 avatar
krm14 avatar

Hi everyone!

After using a Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ, I'm considering upgrading to a Celestron NexStar 127SLT. Before buying it, I'd really like to hear from people who have actually used the 127SLT.

My main interests are planetary imaging and deep-sky imaging using a phone or a small astro camera.

With my 127EQ, I've managed to capture some DSOs such as M57 and M22. However, manual tracking is a major limitation, especially when trying longer exposures. I'm wondering how much of a practical difference the 127SLT's GoTo and motorized tracking would make.

I'd especially like to know:

• What are the biggest advantages of the 127SLT compared with the 127EQ? • What are its biggest disadvantages? • How good is the 127SLT for planetary imaging? • Is short-exposure deep-sky imaging realistic with it? • How much does field rotation affect imaging because of the alt-az mount? • What exposure times are realistically possible? • How much easier is it to find and keep DSO targets centered compared with the 127EQ? • Is the SLT mount stable enough for planetary imaging? • How portable and compact is it compared with the 127EQ? • Are there any important limitations I should know about before buying one?

I know the 127SLT also has a 127 mm aperture, so I'm not expecting a huge increase in light-gathering power. I'm mainly interested in the real-world differences provided by the GoTo, motorized tracking, and Maksutov-Cassegrain design.

I'd especially appreciate experiences from people who have used the 127SLT for both visual observing and astrophotography.

Thanks!

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I have never used one but I can answer your question on basic principals.

On advantages, the SLT has a better and more capable mount. It also have much higher optical quality.

The disadvantages of the SLT would be a slower photographic speed and narrower field of view.

The SLT will be far superior for Lunar and Planetary imaging because of the drive, longer focal length and much better optics.

Short exposure deep sky imaging of anything other than the brightest objects is going to be close to impossable at F/12 in alt/az and without guiding.

Field rotation will limit the length of your exposures but keep in mind that without guiding, it’s going to be limited anyway.

NO idea how long an exposure time you would get away with but it won’t be long. A few sec. is much more likely than 30 sec.

Object centering won’t be hard and once it’s centered it will more or less keep it there.

You will be able to do planetary imaging.

I think the major limitation is that both of these scopes are really in the department store class. Ok for the very casual observer but if you are serious, especially when it comes to astrophotography I think you’ll be pretty frustrated after the first few “oh, I got something” images.

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

…can’t belive I’m saying this but you would probubly be better served by the SeeStar S30 pro if astrophotgraphy is your goal.

Interactive Sky avatar
Interactive Sky avatar

Hey,

I am using NexStar SLT 130, and I agree with Tony, that if you wanna focus mainly on astrophotography, I would go with the Seestar as well. I can tell that because I try using my SLT for “deep sky astrophotography” and it has a lot of limitations. You can check out some of the images in my profile.

Hope this helps. Clear skies!

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krm14 avatar
krm14 avatar

Tony and Interactive Sky, thank you for your answers! I have one more thing I’m wondering about. What is the widest field of view of the eyepiece that comes with the 127SLT? Is it around 1 degree, or at least about the size of the full Moon? If so, that would solve my concern. I’d like a field of view slightly larger than the full Moon, which I already had with my 127EQ.

Or is the field of view significantly smaller than that?

Thanks again! Your answers are really helping me clear things up.

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I’s about 0.8 degrees so yes, the full moon will fit.

krm14 avatar
krm14 avatar

All right. I think I’ll buy this one. I reckon it’ll be a good next step after the 127EQ.

Clear skies!

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