Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dobsonian with Bonus Accessory Pack
by Orion
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: OrionProduct features:
- 254mm aperture and 1200mm focal length for glorious views of the moon, planets, galaxies and nebulas
- The ultra-stable Dobsonian base keeps the tube perfectly balanced for point-and-view ease of use
- Includes bonus accessory pack with five valuable accessories (a $167 value!)
- Also includes two eyepieces, finder scope, collimation cap, and FREE Starry Night astronomy software
- One-year limited warranty
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dobsonian with Bonus Accessory Pack
Customer Review: Does Everything Right
Summary: 5 Stars
The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian Reflector Telescope is a chance to own a powerful telescope with good optics for relatively little money. The optics are good (mine turned out to be considerably better than just "good") and the materials are rugged: a steel tube and a well made, metal focuser are just the start. The Pyrex primary is held in place by a tough metal cell, and the collimating screws are just as sturdy -- and a snap to use: you can literally collimate this scope in seconds. The finder scope aligns just as quickly, and is an appropriate finder for a scope of this size (9x50.)
One of my favorite things about this scope is the overall finish: little extras like a handle next to the aperture, a four vane spider, and its usable right out of the box without any mods; moreover, I've yet to do any real work on it, despite fairly heavy use (up and down a flight of stairs each time I use it), one move, a gazillion trips to friends and relatives (they always want you to bring the telescope) and a few dozen trips to dark sky sites down four wheel drive only desert "roads". Though well used and dirty, this scope still shows few signs of wear.
One warning, this is a pretty large telescope, and it gets to be a handful after a while. Don't be surprized if you find yourself shopping for something much smaller and more portable for everyday use, and then dragging out the SkyQuest for special nights or events. Also, this is not an expensive, hyperprecision instrument, and your images will break down well before you hit the theoretical limit (Orion places that limit at 600X, my calculations are slightly lower); however, I routinely hit 400X without image breakdown -- the images at that level are crystal clear and stunning.
With a 254mm aperture and 1200mm focal length, this scope is more of a fast, deep sky specialist than one optimized for planetary viewing. That said, This is one of the better telescopes I've used for the planets: Mars is detailed, with Syrtis Major clearly defined and brilliant and detailed polar ice caps. Jupiter is practically glowing with detail, multiple bands, razor sharp eclipses, and a decent Red Spot. Saturn is a wonder in this telescope: the Cassini Division is as clear as the rings themselves, and like Jupiter's eclipses, it is as sharply defined as a razor. Expect to see the C Ring regularly, plus multiple bands on Saturn itself in subtle shades of yellow (you would not believe the exclamations I've heard from people looking at Saturn through this scope, watching their joy and wonder at the sight of this one object is worth the price of the telescope.) The Trapezium normally resolves into six stars, and the colors of the nebula are lovely in shades of green and blue (and sometimes I could swear pink.) Galaxies are a snap, and the scope is easily pointed and holds position well.
This scope is not perfect, but it does nothing poorly, and does everything well. For the price it is an incredible bargain that will serve you well for many years.
Description of Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dobsonian with Bonus Accessory Pack
Affordable, powerful, and easy to use, our highly acclaimed SkyQuest XT6 is a great choice for beginners seeking an exceptionally capable telescope that's also nicely portable. Its 150mm-diameter, 1200mm focal length parabolic primary mirror gets the goods, rendering excellent images of deep-space objects as well as high-power views of solar system attractions. It's a hands-on scope that is a joy to use -- uncomplicated, stable, and a snap to set up and take down. The tube is equipped with a 1.25" aluminum focuser and a navigation knob for easly slewing, plus a 6x30 finder scope and two Sirius Plossl eyepieces. You also get an eyepiece rack, quick-collimation cap, and hard dust cap.Reflectors
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