The Zhumell Z130 and Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 are both popular choices in the realm of beginner-friendly telescopes, each with unique features that suit different types of users. Both are tabletop Dobsonian telescopes, which are ideal for amateurs due to their ease of use and excellent light-gathering capabilities.
The Zhumell Z130 features a 130mm aperture (5.1 inches) with a focal length of 650mm, providing a focal ratio of f/5. Its primary mirror is known for offering crisp and clear views of the night sky, making it particularly suitable for observing celestial objects like the Moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. The Z130 is noted for its sturdy build, smooth movement, and user-friendly setup. It also includes useful accessories like two eyepieces, a red-dot finder, and a collimation tool.
On the other hand, the Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 boasts a slightly larger aperture of 150mm (6 inches), which provides better light collection for viewing deeper sky objects with greater detail. It has a focal length of 750mm, resulting in a focal ratio of f/5 as well, similar to the Z130. This scope also offers a collapsible design, making it more compact for storage and transport, which is attractive for those who need portability.
Both telescopes offer excellent value for beginners, but your choice might depend on specific needs such as portability, user-friendliness, and available accessories. The larger aperture of the Heritage 150 can provide brighter and more detailed images, especially of faint deep-sky objects, but the Z130 is also a fantastic option with its ease of use and quality build.
If you’re considering alternatives, telescopes such as the Orion StarBlast 4.5 or the AWB OneSky 130 are also worth a look, each offering slightly different features and focal lengths to cater to specific observing preferences and budget considerations.
Therefore, the decision should be based on what celestial objects you are most interested in viewing, how much portability you require, and the accessories you value, while staying within your budget.