Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope
by Orion
Our Price: $599.99
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: OrionProduct features:
- Large Dobsonian reflector telescope with 8" aperture allows you to see faint deep-sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies, in addition to fantastic views of the Moon and planets
- Locating those faint deep-sky objects is simple with the IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator - it includes more than 14,000 objects in its database, and points you right to each one
- Select the object you wish to view from the IntelliScope database, then simply follow the directional arrows displayed on the hand controller by moving the telescope until the object is right in the eyepiece field of view - it's easy!
- The ultra-stable Dobsonian telescope base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for easy point-and-view use
- A precise Crayford focuser allows use of larger format 2" telescope eyepieces - the bright, wide-field view of the Andromeda galaxy in a low power 2" eyepiece is jaw-dropping!
- Orion Shorty-Plus 2x 3-Element Barlow Lens
- 1.25" Orion Stargazer's Eyepiece Filter Set
- Orion LaserMate Deluxe Telescope Laser Collimator
- Orion SkyLine Deluxe Green Laser Pointer
- 9x50 Orion Illuminated Finder Scope with Bracket
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope
Customer Review: Fine starter scope
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the best features of Dobsonians is that they offer high aperture at a decent cost. A Cassegrain with the same aperture would cost twice as much. The downside to Dobs is the size of the scopes themselves. Larger Dobs can be almost impossible to carry around. However, the Orion XT8 is a fine compromise in size and weight. With everything assembled it weighs a little over 40 pounds.
The scope's power is more than enough for an amateur getting into astronomy (I found the Ring nebula just the other night). With a 203mm aperture, the main mirror can pick up faint clusters, nebula, and most of the planets. Combined with a recently purchased 8mm Hyperion eyepiece, Jupiter was just an amazing sight. I recommend buying eyepiece upgrades. One line of thought with telescopes is that half of the scope's ability comes from the mirror aperture, the other from the eyepiece power. The two included eyepieces are 'ok', but once you slip in a TeleVue or Baader into the focuser you will definitely notice the difference.
The Intelliscope finder is a different matter. Assembly of the scope and encoder boards have to be spot on for the alignment procedure to work properly. The Intelliscope finder is manually controlled and a two star alignment must be done for proper use. This system works better in theory than in reality, as only slight variations in the star or vertical alignment procedures can throw off the finder's ability. But once you get adjusted to the night sky the Intelliscope finder's use is almost negated.
I'd recommend the Orion XT8i to beginners or to anyone looking to upgrade from a starter scope. But keep in mind that the Intelliscope finder must be installed precisely and used with exact alignment or else it will be so off from its altitude/azimuth that it won't work properly.
Description of Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope
Orion's SkyQuest XT8i Intelliscope Dobsonian Computerized Telescope combines powerful 203mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in a nicely portable package. With the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, the amateur stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the IntelliScope's databank. It's like having your own personal tour guide to the universe! The optical tube houses an 8" (203mm) parabolic mirror and rides on our state-of-the-art Dobsonian base, equipped with springless CorrecTension friction control for smooth movement and always-perfect tube balance. One-year limited warranty.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
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