telescopecomparison · 2-way
Astro-Tech AT12RC vs Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet
Astro-Tech
AT12RC
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Orion
EON 130mm ED Triplet
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+167% focal length
+135% aperture
Slower by 1.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Astro-Tech AT12RC | Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | ritchey-chretien | refractor |
| Optical design | Truss Ritchey-Chrétien | Apo triplet FPL-53 |
| Aperture | 305mm | 130mm |
| Focal length | 2432mm | 910mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/8.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | — | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 26.5kg | 7.7kg |
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT12RC
- Tighter framing — 2432mm vs 910mm focal length
- 135% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet
- Wider field — 910mm vs 2432mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/8
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (7.7kg vs 26.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Astro-Tech AT12RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Astro-Tech AT12RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.85° × 0.57°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.55° × 0.37°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.27° × 0.27°Scale: 0.32"/px
Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.27° × 1.51°Scale: 0.85"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.48° × 0.99°Scale: 0.85"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.71° × 0.71°Scale: 0.85"/px
Astro-Tech AT12RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.