Zhumell Z114 Telescope
£175.00
Pros
- Works Well
- Great Value
- Easy to Use
- Fun
- Portable
Cons
- No Paper Manual
Today’s review is something a little different for the My Helpful Hints website, I’m reviewing the Zhumell Z114 Telescope.
This portable altazimuth reflector telescope is an amateur desktop telescope that is the perfect starting telescope for any budding astronomer.
The Zhumell Z114 can be used straight from the box without any complicated setting up. Within a few minutes you can gaze into the night’s sky.
But is this telescope any good? Is it easy to use? Time to test it out!
Packaging & Contents.
The Zhumell Z114 Telescope comes packaged in two plain Brown cardboard box, the outer box measures 62.0cm x 42.5cm x 43.0cm and weighs 6.8KG. Upon opening the box you’ll find the following inside: 1x Telescope, 1x Base, 1x Red Dot Finder, 1x 17mm Eyepiece, 1x 10mm Eyepiece, 1x Screwdriver, 1x Company Contact Card.
Zhumell Z114 Telescope.
The Zhumell Z114 Telescope is a portable scope that comes already attached on a swivel base, you can remove the telescope from this base and attach onto a tripod if you wish, but you’ll need to buy additional fixings to do this.
The base is made from MDF wood and is finished in Black. And the telescope measures 46.0cm in length and has a diameter of around 14.0cm.
You’ll need to do some basic installation before use. You need to install the Red Dot Finder to the main tube, you’ll also need to loosen the tube clams and position the telescope where it can hold itself up without tilting. And that’s it!
Setting up the Telescope.
I’m a complete amateur when it comes to using a telescope. Zhumell don’t supply a paper manual so in order to use the telescope you have to go to the Zhumell website and download the manual. The manual is filled with loads of information and gives you an insight to not only using the Z114 telescope, but also a basic introduction into the world of astronomy.
You can set up what is called ‘collimation’, this is basically an alignment of your telescope. I didn’t need to do any adjustments, but I might have to over a period of usage time.
Before you start using the telescope, it’s best to set it up in daylight and practice on an object in the far distance, such as; a chimney, TV aerials or any other fixed object into the distance. You’re supposed to start with the larger 17mm (27x) eyepiece and install it into the focuser. Next you look through the Red dot finder and locate your chosen subject. The same object will be visible in the focuser, but you’ll need to adjust the clarity to see the object without any blurring. You can then change to the 10mm (46x) eyepiece which gives you a more detailed view. You’ll need to re-adjust the focuser for the 10mm eyepiece.
I found the telescope moved freely on the base, but without tipping or loving by itself. You can use handle cut-out section to move the scope sideways and to tilt the scope upward/downward just use the telescope itself.
Using the Telescope.
On the 19th February 2019 we had a supermoon and I thought this would be the perfect time to capture this moment on the Zhumell Z144 Telescope. The night before I decided to get in some practice and see if I could capture the moon not only using the telescope but photographing it using my iPhone 7. It was a good job I did decide to do this as on the night of the Supermoon the UK had cloud that covered the moon.
On the night of the 18th February 2019 the night’s sky was clear and I managed to capture the below images from inside my kitchen through the window.
For my first go, I think I did a pretty good job. I just wish the sky was as clear on the night of the supermoon. I can’t wait to get more involved with the Zhumell Z114 and capture images for the Stars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mars.
Technical Specifications.
- Brand: Zhumell
- Model: Altazimuth Reflector Telescope
- Model Code: Z114
- Manufacturer Code: ZHUS002-1
- EAN: 853555008041
- ASIN: B07BR6G589
- Objective/Aperture: 114mm/4.5″
- Type: Reflector
- Focal Length: 450mm
- Focal Ratio: 4
- Limiting Magnitude: 12.98
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 16x
- Highest Theoretical Magnification: 224x
- Light Grasp Compared to Smaller Model: 27%
- Focal Ratio: f/3.95
- Eyepiece Format: 1.25″
- Finderscope: Red Dot Finder
- Mount Type: Tabletop Altitude-Azimuth/Dobsonian
- Tube Mount: Tube Clamp
- Mount Adjustments: Altitude-Azimuth
- Eyepieces Supplied: 17mm & 10mm
- Magnification (with included eyepieces): 27x (17mm), 46x (10mm)
- Compliance: CE, FCC
- Download the Manual: Zhumell Z114 Telescope
Conclusion.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reviewing the Zhumell Z114 Telescope. I’m new to the world of looking into space, but I’m certainly going to be getting into more of it. I find it fascinating and to be able to explore beyond your eyesight is tremendous.
The telescope is easy to use and literally is a point and view scope without any complicated setting up, I’m a novice and still managed to use this telescope.
I would say the Zhumell Z114 Telescope is more of a telescope for the amateur.
I’d like a paper user guide supplied with the telescope rather than having to download it, but that’s just my opinion!
Overall, I love this telescope and highly recommend it.
If you want the Zhumell Z114 Telescope for yourself, it’s available for purchase only on Amazon. The RRP for this product is £175.00.
Product sample provided by Zhumell in exchange for a detailed, unbiased review.
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