FirstLight 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope with Twilight 1 Mountis ideal for users who want a portable yet powerful observation platform that is able to achieve high magnifications for detailed views of the Moon and planets and has the ability to reach out past our solar system to observe brighter deep-sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies. The Maksutov-Cassegrain optical configuration is engineered with a convex meniscus lens that not only eliminates the need for periodic collimation, but by the nature of the lens requires a smaller secondary mirror that limits obstruction and increases contrast. The Maksutov optical path results in a slower focal ratio and narrower field of view versus a similar Schmidt design, but the optical benefits make this a useful scope for planetary and double-star observation.

The scope features the manual Twilight I alt-azimuth mount with dual-axis control cables that allows users to track objects as they move across the night sky. Its stainless steel tripod provides a stable observation platform, and its adjustable height from 38.5 to 55.5" allows for comfortable viewing by most users. Explore Scientific includes several observational accessories including a 25mm eyepiece that yields 40x, a 90° star diagonal to put the user's head in a comfortable viewing angle, a universal smartphone eyepiece adapter for easy astrophotography, and a wide-field unmagnified red-dot finderscope.

127mm Catadioptric OTA    1900mm Focal Length, f/15 Focal Ratio    Fully Multi-Coated Optics    Internal Focusing Mechanism    1.25" 25mm Eyepiece and 90° Diagonal    Twilight 1 Manual Alt-Az Mount    Dual-Axis Slow Motion Cables    Red-Dot Finderscope    Smartphone Eyepiece Adapter    2" Stainless Steel Tripod with Tray

• 127mm aperture
• f/15 focal ratio
• 1900mm focal length
• Compact Maksutov-Cassegrain optical configuration
• Front convex meniscus lens corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations and comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view
• Smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains reduces obstructions and increases contrast and sharpness
• Internal focusing mechanism with 1.25" visual back

• Manual alt-azimuth single-arm fork mount
• Dual-axis slow-motion tracking cables
• Cables terminate in easy-to-manipulate knurled knobs
• Quick release Vixen-style dovetail saddle

• 2" stainless steel legs
• Three leg sections with thumbscrew locks
• Adjustment range with head: 38.5-55.5"
• Fully collapsed with head: 42"
• Fully collapsed without head: 29.5"
• Accessory tray doubles as leg stabilizer for additional rigidity and vibration reduction

• 1.25" 25mm Plössl eyepiece yields 76x magnification
• 1.25" 90° star diagonal places head in comfortable position, especially when OTA is aimed at or near the zenith
• Smartphone adapter attaches over eyepiece and allows any smartphone to be used for astrophotography
• Red-dot finder: Unmagnified for fast subject acquisition with variable red illumination to protect night-adjusted vision

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Will a cell phone camera hook up to it?

A: Yes, of course. B&H best selling digiscoping adapter is the Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter BH #CENEXYZ3ASA • MFR #81055 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1395946-REG/celestron_81055_nexyz_universal_3_axis_smartphone.html

Q: 2. Does Nex Star 127b SL have a clock drive and does it work in lattitude south of Equator (8 degrees South) ?

A: Yes on both.

Q: 3. Can this scope be slewed manually across the sky without losing goto settings?

A: Yes you can! You need to do the aligning setup every time you turn on the computer!!! (which sucks but i think its understandable) Once you start to track an object you can do corrections in every direction which does not effect your settings. Also you can manually slew in every direction without losing your goto setups since they are stored in the computer and if you have aligned correctly.

Q: 4. What is the weight of the optical tube without accessories (no lens cap, finder, diagonal, or eyepiece)?

A: The OTA is about 6 lbs.

Q: 5. Can you recommend a compatible focal reducer for this scope?

A: Alpine Astronomical Alan Gee Mark II Telecompressor BH #ALAGII • MFR #AGII https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1403600-REG/alpine_astronomical_agii_alan_gee_mark_ii.html

Q: 6. Is there a way to mount a DSLR with lens and use the telescope as a tracking mount? If not, other suggestions? Thanks

A: This telescope out of the box already has a Motor & computer tracking. This is the camera adapter, Celestron SLR (35mm OR Digital) Camera Adapter for the NexStar 4, C90 & C130 Spotting Scopes - Requires Camera-Specific T-Mount Adapter B&H # CETAC90 MFR # 93635-A Please call in to a sales agent for the exact T adapter that is also necessary.

Q: 7. Can this telescope be used with GPS Navigation such as Celestrol SkyQ Link II ?

A: Yes it can. The Celestron SkyQ Link II will be compatible with this scope.

Q: 8. Can you link this to a computer and see live images on your computer screen?

A: Yes. You would need a suitable camera, adapter and software obviously, but thats true for any telescope. A planetary camera such as ZWO will directly fit into the telescope eyepiece holder without any adapters required. A DSLR camera will need a T-adapter and mount ring for the camera make and model to fit in place of the eyepiece. If your DSLR has live view capability you can see the view without a computer. In either case you should be able to view the stream on a computer tethered via a USB cable or wirelessly if your camera supports WiFi. Im assuming you are running a compatible live view software for the camera on your computer.

Q: 9. Does "package weight" mean total optical tube weight with included diagonal and finder scope?

A: The " Package weight" for the Explore Scientific FirstLight 152mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope includes the items listed " In the Box" the telescope's OTA, the Eyepiece, the Red-Dot Finder, the 2" 90° Star Diagonal with Reducer Adapter, the Universal Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter, and the Cradle Ring Assembly.

Q: 10. Does this come with a case?

A: A case is not included.