Orion SkyQuest XT8 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:
- 203mm aperture and 1200mm focal length allow you to reach deep into space for jaw-dropping images
- 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 XT8 Dobsonian with Bonus Accessory Pack
Customer Review: The ideal amateur telescope
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not only the ideal scope for beginners but enough of an instrument to show you new things in the sky for years to come. It is sturdy and simple to operate. It has enough light-gathering power (more important than magnification) to reveal dim star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies and good enough optics to show you the surface of planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Affordable as this scope is, there is no reason to give so much as a glance at the numerous trashy 60mm refractors with exaggerated magnification claims that litter the market.
Some advice on selection. Dobsonians like this one come in a range of sizes. A 114mm (4 ½") is a bit on the small side but still a fine instrument, especially if your ability to carry large objects is limited. A 200mm (8") scope like this one is right in the middle of the recommended range. A 250mm (10") is on the big side, and you should buy one only if you are able-bodied.
Some advice on use. Viewing through a telescope is less like playing a CD and more like playing a guitar. Finding objects takes a little bit of practice. To simplify it, I would suggest discarding the finder supplied with this scope and installing two finders: a 50mm "crosshair" finder plus a red-dot finder to aid in initial pointing. You will also need to buy an atlas (Sky & Telescope's Pocket sky Atlas is the best available), a red flashlight to view the charts without blowing out your badly-needed night vision, and a guidebook to lead you to interesting objects. These investments will greatly add to your enjoyment.
What more can I say? This is the kind of scope that experienced observers have been trying to steer novices towards for decades. Although, I recommend that you do your homework before buying any scope--learn the sky and get to know experienced stargazers who can advise you--when it comes time to purchase, you could hardly do better than this scope.
For more advice, see my encyclopedic guide here on Amazon, "So you want to buy a telescope."
Description of Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian with Bonus Accessory Pack
Our classic XT8 isn't just great bang for the buck, it's a veritable explosion of telescope value. It combines powerful parabolic optics with the ultimate in mechanical stability. The SkyQuest XT8 features an 8" parabolic primary mirror that will tease out detail in nebulas, resolve stars in globular clusters, and reveal subtle structure in galaxies. The enameled steel optical tube sports a 2" aluminum rack-and-pinion focuser that accepts both 2" and 1.25" eyepieces. The tube moves effortlessly on Teflon/UHMW bearings for point-and-view simplicity. Comes complete with navigation knob, 6x30 finder scope, two 1.25" Sirius Plossl eyepieces, eyepiece rack, collimation cap, and hard dust cap. And now for a limited time, you can buy this excellent telescope and receive a bonus accessory pack (a $167 value) for only $19.95 (included in package price)!Reflectors
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