Observer 114EQ Reflector Telescope

Is the Observer 114EQ Reflector Right for You?

The Observer 114EQ Reflector is a serious starter telescope designed for aspiring astronomers and night sky enthusiasts who want a powerful system with a smooth equatorial mount. Featuring a large optical tube with a 114 mm aperture, this telescope provides sharp views of our Moon, as well as brighter deep-sky targets and star clusters. This refractor is not designed for astrophotography, although the EQ3-class mount does allow for accurate manual tracking of the night sky. So, with a simple smartphone adapter (sold separately), you can easily capture quick photos and videos of your observations. The bright primary mirror and fast f/4.4 means this telescope performs well on deep sky objects; however, it still faces some limitations with dimmer objects, especially under heavy light urban skies. At a focal length of 500 mm, this telescope does not provide enough magnification to resolve much surface detail of the planets, but it can resolve Jupiter along with its four brightest moons.

What You'll See and Why It Works

The Observer 114EQ Reflector comes complete with a classic equatorial mount with two slow-motion controls and a lightweight aluminum tripod with an eyepiece accessory tray. What makes this telescope work well is the combination of a 114 mm parabolic primary mirror, 500 mm focal length, and a fast f/4.4 focal ratio. The kit includes two Plossl eyepieces (25 mm and 10 mm), which are well-suited for exploring bright, wide-field targets, such as the Orion Nebula (M42), while also delivering striking views of the lunar surface. The included red dot finder makes it easy to locate targets.