thanks for the help! because of this video, I went with the xt8. So far I have seen the rings of saturn, jupiter, mars, andromeda galaxy, and the whirlpool galaxy.
I have the Orion Skyquest XT8, and it's awesome! I was able to see the Whirlpool Galaxy, Andromeda Galaxy, The Dragonfly Cluster, The Ring Nebula, The Dumbell Nebula, the Great Hercules Cluster, and the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. It even makes stars look good. Which is amazing! I've even managed to catch a meteor whiz by in the field of view.
I currently have an xt6 and I can see basically all the objects you listed fairly well. But I was wondering if you have an xt6 and can see any big differences between the two
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@@apipar7681 The XT8 is a Dobsonian telescope; the one that looks like a mortar in the video. Prob the biggest bang for the buck. Runs for about $400. Only problem is that it lacks 'GoTo' capability, in that you can demand it to look for a certain object without any user action besides the initial alignment. If you want the 'GoTo' function, it will cost an extra $700 in the same form factor - the Orion XT8g: www.telescope.com/Orion/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/GoTo-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8g-Computerized-GoTo-Dobsonian-Telescope/rc/2160/pc/1/c/12/sc/30/p/102019.uts
My first scope was an orion 8" donsonian with push-to. I had a full night in the *black* skies of the Scottish Highlands and bagged a ton of messier's and ng's. I will never forget that night viewing. I have since moved to SWFL and am in the market for a replacement. The last one I had was a celestron C8 nexstar and it was top heavy and the computer was a bit invasive. I want a 10 or 12 inch dob with push-to again as I'll be mainly a back yard astronomer for now
Hi Jamand, The XT-8 (which I discuss at 8:30 in the video above) is an excellent all around choice. This scope, coupled with a higher power eyepiece and perhaps a Barlow lens to double the magnifications of each eyepiece you own will show you the moon, planets, and many deep-sky objects as well. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
This was exactly what I have been searching for for a long time > a good simple explanation of the different types of telescopes and the advantages and disadvantages of each style, as well as giving us a rough idea of the things we could see with each and the quality with which we could see them. I loved how the internal workings of each type of scope was explained as well. Simply fantastic! I'll most likely end up buying Orion for my first telescope with this kind of top quality salesmanship :)
Great video Oriontelescopes. Today, I started to look into becoming a stargazer. This video really put a lot into perspective on figuring which type of telescope I should start off with. Awesome job.
Hi Aaron, I'm sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing with that scope. But there is a simple fix for this. On the bottom of the focuser (between the two focus knobs is a central allen screw. Simple tighten this screw slightly and it will increase the amount of weight the focuser will carry. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Vince, It's not difficult at all. Maybe the first time you do it it might be a little confusing, but you'll learn quickly, and master the alignment without too much difficulty. It's definitely nothing to worry about, and we even have laser collimators that make the alignment even quicker and easier. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
That 8 inch reflector is available at Amazon for $390 in US. But same model on Amazon India is priced more than $1000. Please start selling your products officially and directly in India soon.
Hi Akshay, The length of the tube is longer on the SkyQuest, that's correct...But the diameter is the same - 4.5". So they pull in the same amount of light at the same power. To get to the higher powers with the shorter StarBlast, you'll just need to add a shorter focal length lens to the system. But the top magnification is also the same - it's based on the diameter, not the length. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
This message is for Kyle Abraham, I'm sorry there is no reply button on your comment so I have to leave a general comment in hopes you see it. I would suggest the 70mm refractor as a better overall telescope with a better view. But if you want to spend the minimum amount of money just to see if you might be interested in the hobby, you can still see the craters on the moon and the moons around Jupiter with the FunScope. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
+Kieran Dainty Hi Kieran, It all depends on what you want to do with the telescope. That's a good compact scope for daytime spotting, and looking at the craters on the moon as well as the moons around Jupiter, and other bright things. If you want to see deep-sky objects that are much fainter, you may want to look at a larger diameter telescope, such as the StarBlast 4.5" tabletop, #10015. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Thanks! Turned 21 a couple days ago and parents have given me a generous amount of money as a present. Watched the Cosmos about 18 months ago and have been obsessed with space/physics every since. Decided to buy a telescope and this video really helped a lot. It cleared up quite a few things which I found confusing from reading through forums. Great explanations. Cheers!
Here's the link to it on Amazon :) www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001DDW9V6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1466227057&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=orion+dobsonian&dpPl=1&dpID=41AhI173qiL&ref=plSrch
Hi Vitality, It's hard to find images through Dobsonians since they are meant for visual use, and not photography. Your best bet is to find a local astronomy club, and go to one of the star parties and look through someone's 8" telescope for a comparison view. But in general, with an 8", you'll be able to see excellent planetary details such as the rings of Saturn and cloud bands on Jupiter, as well as deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and Andromeda galaxy, assuming you can get away from light pollution in the big cities. Planets and the moon cut through the light pollution perfectly well, but deep-sky objects can be a little tougher. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Caleb, I haven't ever used the Nexstar 130slt and we don't carry it, so I really can't answer those questions. The one thing I can address is the fact that your dad wants a dobsonian. They are amazing scopes and ideal for both beginners and more advanced users, so it's really something you can grow with. Check out the dobsonian category on our website if you want more info. I'm sorry I can't help you with the other questions. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Paul, It all depends on if you like the idea of hunting down objects yourself with a star chart, or if you want the computer to do it. I can tell you it's very easy to find the moon and planets without a computer because they are naked eye objects. These scopes are mostly designed for bright objects anyways, and not the really faint things that can be harder to find, simply because the scope doesn't pull in enough light for a harder to find nebula. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Thank you for a great video. I've been researching telescopes since January (my 20th wedding anniversary, for which my wife suggested I get a good telescope). I'm now just about ready to buy - I believe that Orion ZT8 might just be the one I end up with. But thank you for a great video
Can some one help me, I'm looking for a telescope that's strong enough to see like mars Jupiter Saturn, I am barley starting but I've always been fascinated with space. So can any one help me?
Hi $miley, The video above details several telescopes that would work for what you want to see, so I would watch it and keep in mind something like the AstroView 90mm, or the larger Dobsonian. Any of them will work for seeing the planets, but those are two of my more favorite options. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Akshay, Either would work well for you needs. I think it just comes down to convenience. The StarBlast 4.5 (assuming you meant the tabletop version) is smaller and more portable than the SkyQuest XT4.5. But it does require a table to be placed on. The SkyQuest sits on the floor and doesn't require a table, though the eyepiece is a little lower down than on the 6" or 8", so you might want a low chair if you are a fairly tall person. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Dunno why but this guy kind of reminds me of Tom Hanks from the Apollo 13 movie lol. Anyways I'm really interested in that Skyquest xt8. But would I be able to hook a camera up to the eye piece? Basically I told some friends of mine that I would be getting a telescope... And I was wondering if I could hook up the camera and do a live stream so they can watch what I'm seeing over the internet. I'm really new to this telescope business... but I've always wanted one and I've been into astronomy since I was little watching startrek with my dad. Hope you can help. Thanks.
Hi Twiztidguy, You can attach a webcam style astro video camera to a Dobsonian and stream the view to either a computer or to the television. But since the dob doesn't track, you'll be limited to shorter exposures, and can't do long exposure DSLR shots of nebulae (which aren't "live" shots anyways). I would look at something like our StarShoot 5mp solar system camera, or perhaps the StarShoot Deep Space Video camera for going for fainter objects. Neither camera streams directly to a website, but there are programs available for Windows and Mac to let remote users log in and see the screen. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
This message is for Michael Frymus, You've disabled replies, so I can't reply directly to your comment. Hopefully you'll see this reply. For that price range, I would suggest looking at something like the Sirius 8" EQ-G. The mount is designed for long exposure photography, and you can get very nice details on planets, especially if you add a Barlow or other high magnification eyepiece. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Roman, The XT6 is an excellent choice for planetary viewing. It has a small secondary at f/8 which gives you nice high contrast for subtle details on lunar and planetary objects. I think you're on the right track choosing a scope like this. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Pro, I would definitely check out the video above for some good ideas. It all depends on what you want to do and with the scope, so we've put together a good collection of beginning scopes that might fit whatever your need is. And you can always call our customer service at 800-676-1343 if you're having trouble deciding and would like some one-on-one help narrowing down the selection process. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Luc, There are several to chose from that would work well. The Observer 60mm in the video above will allow you to see the moon and detail on Jupiter and Saturn. The Astroview 90mm will give you more resolution at a little higher price, and the StarMax 90mm tabletop is a good planetary scope on a very compact scale. All three of these telescopes are featured in this video. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Zerobladetion Wot, The Starseeker 130mm at 9:18 can be connected to a computer or iPhone with some optional add-ons. You can use a planetarium program on the computer/iPhone to control where the telescope points. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
I am just planning to start viewing the sky. I am in need of a suggestion, I want to be able to see a galaxy? If that's possible with these types of telescopes. I'm a full time student who doesn't really have a high price point either, so what would be the best "bang for my buck". Thank you, I appreciate the help.
Hi TheChieGamer, A reflector has the best bang for the buck, and can also give you the brightest views without spending too much money. The best one in the video for that type of view would be the XT8 Dobsonian (#8945) as it sucks in a lot of light and is great for seeing fainter deep-sky objects. If you're looking for something smaller, I wouldn't go too much smaller than a 4.5" reflector such as the StarBlast 4.5". You need as much aperture as possible to get a good look at a galaxy. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
right in the poster's title is another great starting option. a really nice set of binoculars can reveal the andromeda galaxy. it is 4 times wider than out moon in the sky, but just too dim to see with the unaided eye, unless u are in a very dark spot, and it looks like a fuzzy patch of dim light.
Focus is the point where the big gray blob of a star reduces in size until it's a point. If you lose the star because the telescope moves, the mount isn't holding position very well for some reason. My suggestion is to try the scope in the day - point it at something a mile away and see if you can focus - that should be close to the point where stars will focus as well. -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hey. I am a newbie on this with telescopes and are interested to see both on the moon and the planets, but also nebulae and galaxies. Which of your telescope would you recommend for me? Is there a telescope that is great for both purposes, or do I have to have two different telescopes? You mentioned that the telescope with smaller circumference is better if you want to look at the moon and planets while wider is better for nebulae and galaxies.
Hi Johanna, The wider diameter telescopes are better for everything, so you can look at both planets and nebulae. When I say small ones are good for planets, what I mean is that planets are bright, so even a small telescopes shows good details. But a small telescope will not show nebulae as good as a big one. And even though a small scope might be good for planets, bigger scopes have more resolution, so even planetary detail is better with a bigger scope. The 8" Dobsonian in the video above is excellent for everything. The 4.5"-5" goto telecopes are great if you want the computer to find things for you, and are still decent for nebulae. The Astroview 90mm refractor is good for planets, but, not quite as capable for the nebulae. Go for as big an aperture as you're comfortable carrying around and setting up. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Paul, The Starmax 90mm is a manual tabletop mounted (or on a photo-tripod) scope with no computer system. The Celestron Nexstar includes a computerized mount, but is not quite as portable. Both scopes give similar views. These small maks are best for lunar/planetary viewing, and if don't need the computer to find those bright objects, you can save some money with the the manual Starmax. But if you want the computer to find those objects, the Nexstar will. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Will, Something in the 6" to 8" range is great for moving past an absolute beginner telescope, and is still quite easy to use. Check out something like the XT6 or XT8 Classic (#8944 and #8945). Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Corina, The scope comes with two eyepieces, and the lower power eyepiece would be best for some of the larger, brighter deep-sky objects. So there really isn't anything extra you need to start viewing those objects. I would probably suggest getting a 2x Barlow lens if you want a closer view of the moon and planets, but that wouldn't be needed for bigger deep-sky objects. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Jamand, The scope does come with a front cover, so you won't have to worry about dust. As for more lenses, I would recommend getting a Shorty Barlow for closer planetary and lunar detail, and if you want an even wider field and brighter image for the faint deep-sky objects, I'd say look at one of the Q70 eyepieces - the 38mm would give a great view of large distant nebulae and galaxies. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Start with a smaller one, like that tabletop. By using this you can be very busy exploring the cosmos for years. For the bigger one, save your income. After saving large enough amount, you'd be ready to switch to bigger one. The bigger one are difficult and frustrating to use for first time users. By beginning with smaller one, you'd have some practice and some experience.
Hi Luis, If you have a proper solar filter attached to the front of the telescope, then it is totally safe to look at the sun. We sell a filter designed to fit the Astroview 90mm, so when you purchase the scope, be sure to add on the filter, and you'll have a lot of fun enjoying the view! Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
For beginners, a Dobsonian mount is superior because adjusting the knobs on a tripod mount constantly is very frustrating, whereas a Dobsonian mounted scope can move freely by just a push or pull. An equatorial tripod mount is usually not suitable for beginners because a lot of beginners live in light polluted areas which makes finding Polaris difficult. I recommend the Starblast 4.5 Dobsonian mount with a Orion E-series 7-21mm zoom eyepiece that you can purchase separately for about $63 and it can save further hassle by not having to adjust eyepieces and focus when switching between big and small field of views. (And a 2x barlow lens is a further great addition. A small foldable camping table is a great base.)
Hi Dale, You could always take the telescope tube out of this mount, purchase rings, and put it on top of an Equatorial mount if that's what you mean by changing the mount. The problem is that this is a fairly big scope which means you'll need a pretty big EQ mount to hold it. My suggestion would be the Sirius mount #24336. It's got full Go-To computer control. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Nikka, We don't ship directly overseas, but we do have many dealers worldwide. If you look at the bottom of our website, there's a "dealer locator" which might help you find the closest dealer to you. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi MrSparkee987, That's hard to say because everyone's needs are different. But in general, the reflectors give you the best bang for you buck for astronomy, the refractors need the least amount of maintenance to keep running, and the Cassegrains are the most compact for a given diameter of telescope. I hope that helps, thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Hisham, There are most likely two sources for the vibrations - the mount itself or the ground you are placing the telescope on. If it's on a deck, you can try using our anti-vibration pads #5155, but if the vibrations are coming from the mount itself, then really the only thing you can do is get a larger EQ mount. The larger the mount, the heavier it will be, but also the more stable the unit will be. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Good to hear you say " 8" Dobsonian was your favourite" since I just bought the 10" version, I have previously owned refractors and a 6" Newtonian but I had some money so got what most astronomers are calling "the best" I could afford while keeping it practical and wow what an amazing light bucket, it collects light from objects way to faint to be seen through my refractors.
Hi MisteriGuitarMan, If you want something very portable, I would suggest the tabletop SkyScanner 100mm. It can also be put onto a photo tripod. Add a 2x Barlow lens, and you can see a lot with that little scope. If you want a floor standing telescope, look at the Observer 70mm AZ. That would also work well, but doesn't pull in as much light as the SkyScanner 100mm. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Andrew, Yep, you're right about the slow motion knobs. These were display scopes on the showroom floor that we took for the video, and they were already set up and used as demos. It probably got reassembled a few times and we didn't notice the slow motion knob on the side. Thanks for catching that! As for your XX12i, there is unfortunately no way to upgrade it to a go-to system. I'm sorry we don't have a solution for you. -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi LittleCibolo, There are plenty to chose from under $200, but to get a computerized system will push you over that limit. If you want to look at the moon and planets, I'm not sure you'll really need the computer since those objects are all bright and easy to find. I would suggest looking at the Observer 70mm or any reflector up to about 114mm, such as the Starblast 114mm. Thanks, -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi carlosuzz, If you get one of the Go-To computerized telescopes, then you can interface your laptop to the hand controller, and point the telescope using the computer. I would suggest looking on our website at the Starseeker II 130mm as a starting point. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
I've got a Galileo FS-90 Reflector, it does pretty nice at looking at Jupiter, Venus, and even Saturn, and its rings! We lost the 3x Barlow piece which increases the magnification by 3x its normal distance. I'm gonna go test it out!
Hi drnetro, That might be possible depending on how big the print is, and how steady the object is you will be looking at, as well as how steady the atmosphere is. That's asking a lot if it's a small paperback book - the atmosphere will act similar to the "mirage" you see in the desert at very high powers, blurring the image. But I'd say it's possible with one of our Apex telescopes on a steady tripod with no heat waves coming off a roadway or other hot surface. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Constructive criticism that I hope you will take positively. I have noticed on all your videos that there is no "movement" of the telescopes or equipment. It would really benefit your company and the buyer if you showed the equipment being moved, in use, much in the same way as the owner of Obsession Telescopes moves his telescopes back and forth. It gives the buyer "a feel" for how the equipment will be used.
Hi Chris, Both will work very well for visual use, but the 10" will pull in 56% more light than the 8, so it's even better. Dobsonians aren't the best choice for photography because they don't track, but it's possible to grab shots of the moon and planets with the right equipment. The Skyview Pro 8" with the EQ mount would be a better choice for imaging planets since it can track with an optional motor drive. I hope that helps, thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
I finally jumped into astronomy, always had a fascination with the night sky. At first I thought of starting with the StarBlast 4.5, but a friend knowing how intrigued I am about it, recommend just skip to something bigger. After much speculation, I decided on a reflector telescope namely the XT6 plus kit. It's not the biggest of the bunch, but it does have good range in terms of focal length and aperture size. And it is within my budget. Overall I am very happy with it.
Hi Hayden, I would suggest looking at the #9798 Starblast 4.5 (at 2:53 in the video). We also have several tabletop units if you want something smaller. The SkyScanner 100mm or the Starmax 90mm tabletop are two nice alternatives. I hope that helps! Thanks, -Ken Orion Telescopes
Thank you man I have been thinking of having my own telescope I don't know how to choose and what should decide, nothing better than exploring the space in night
Hi Momen, If you're looking for a very basic telescope to get started, the Observer 60 or 70mm refractors allow you to see lunar and planetary detail. Or if you're looking for something very compact, the tabletop 100mm SkyScanner works quite nicely. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
HI Raymond, That depends on how willing you are to spend time learning the telescope/mount combination. As with everything, there is a learning curve to an EQ mount, but it's nothing that's beyond the skill level of a person who is willing to read the manual and learn the steps needed to use it. I hope that helps, thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
yes definitely get the EQ mount instead of the AZ mount, it's only a difference in I think $10. It's worth it as with the EQ mount you can easily compensate for the earth's rotation instead of fumbling with the AZ mount.
Hi Diego, The Observer 70 is in that price range, and can see the brightest of the deep-sky objects. The same goes for the ST-80 if you have your own tripod. Those would be good choices if you want a refractor. But I wouldn't worry too much about the set up or maintenance of a reflector - it's not as difficult as it seems. And you can get a larger diameter 4.5" in the same price range, which would help see those objects you mentioned in even better detail. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
I recently got the Star Walk iphone app and have been having loads of fun looking for planets/constellations at night and have been toying with the idea of purchasing a small telescope for myself. This video was very informative! Thank you :)
It just won't see as wide of an area of the sky at one time. The GoScope has inherently less magnification, so you are backed off a bit from the object, but can see more image off to the left and right in the field of view. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Thanks for the fast feedback. The telescope is like a beginners about 5FT tall. The stars look like a big gray blob. I tried to focus it but I keep losing the star.
Hi Ami, I'd suggest looking at either the Observer 70mm (either AZ or EQ model), or for an even more portable option, the Sky Scanner 100mm which is table top mounted, or can be put up on a regular photo tripod. Add a Barlow lens to any of these, and you can increase the magnification past what's included for even more versatility. Go on our website, and type those names into the search field and you can get more details about each specific one. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi EZCreepin, The Dobsonian is the perfect telescope for visual astronomy, but does not work for deep-sky photography. The mount is manual so will not track for the long exposures needed for deep-sky imaging. And the tube is optimized for visual use and won't reach focus with a DSLR. So I'd say go for it if you want the best views of the sky for the price, but for images like you mentioned, you'll need a good sized Equatorial mount instead of a dob mount. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi mrashvin, RU-vid doesn't allow links to be posted in these comments, so I would suggest going to our website and looking at one of the Dobsonian models. A 6" or 8" will show very good views of the planets, as well as deep-sky objects. Of course the bigger the better, so the 8" would pull in more faint light for viewing nebulae and galaxies. Thanks, -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi liveLAsunday, It's common for lenses and mirrors to dew over when bringing the telescope into a warm environment from a cold one. All you have to do is make sure you don't seal up the telescope (don't cap it or put it into a closed bag) when the dew has formed. The dew will evaporate after a short time as the mirror comes back up to ambient temperature. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi WGuyjens, I'd say either the tabletop 90mm Starmax, or the Astroview 90mm. Either scope would show planetary and lunar detail quite well. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Matt, The larger the aperture the better, so between all the ones in this video, the XT8 would be the brightest and highest resolution. If you go to our website and look for "dealer locator" at the bottom of the page, you can find a dealer that might be close to you. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi jrann888, There are plenty to choose from depending on your needs, but usually the Dobsonian design is the best for the money for astronomical viewing. Check out the 8" Classic dob in the video above. You really can't go wrong if you want to look at the night sky with one of these telescopes. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi walledhuddzz, Most of them will do well for the planets, but the best resolution would be out of the 8" dob, and the most portable option with good planetary detail would be the StarMax 90mm tabletop. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Musiclover, I would suggest looking at either the Observer 60mm or the FunScope. If you go to our website and enter either of those into the search field, you can pull up more details about them. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi liveLAsunday, That's the Astroview 90mm. It has a long focal length, so works well for moon and planets. It will have a higher inherent magnification than the GoScope, but have a bit narrower field of view. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Kevin, It's really not difficult at all. Of course, it will take a little practice if you've never done it, but when you get a feel for it, it becomes second nature and won't take more than a few minutes at most to accomplish. I would suggest looking at a collimation tool such as the #3640 Collimating Eyepiece, or the #5691 Laser collimator. You can perform the collimation without these tools, but they make it much quicker, easier, and more accurate. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi SuperStarPolaris1, The 8" would pull in 77% more light, making those nebulae and galaxies brighter and more detailed. I don't really have an example, because you'll really see the same objects with both scope, but more details of those objects through the 8". It weighs less than 10 lbs more than the 6", so it really isn't any harder to carry around. I hope that helps, thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
I knew NOTHING about telescopes before watching this video. Thank you VERY much for posting this. I was about to buy a POS telescope. Now i know what to look for. Thanks again.
Hi Sreeram, The Funscope can see the moons around Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and craters and mountains on the moon. If you're looking at deep-sky objects, it will be able to see a little of the brightest ones such as the Orion Nebula or the Andromeda Galaxy, but it doesn't let in enough light to see fainter objects. Consider the SkyScanner 100mm if you want to see fainter objects or pull in more light than this one. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi liveLAsunday, That's a matter of personal preference. The tabletop units are more portable and easier to set up, but would require a table nearby to be used (unless you get the very small tabletops which can also be used with a good sized photo tripod). The larger scopes with included tripods don't require a separate table, so they're an all-in-one solution, but are a little bigger and perhaps harder to transport around. Thanks, -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hello. I thought this was a very good presentation. But one thing that should be mentioned for "beginners", especially children is that regardless of what telescope you get, the ease of use of the mount is of utmost importance, otherwise the beginner (especially a child) will not find it "fun". When the "locks" or "breaks" are not engaged and the telescope is balanced, it should turn very freely without any "sticking" due to static friction. It is usually not easy to manipulate both locks while looking through the finder scope or its equivalent. Once you have aimed at your target via the finder scope (or its equivalent) and you carefully remove your hand from the scope to tighten whichever lock you cannot tighten while aiming, IT SHOULD STAY EXACTLY WHERE IT IS long enough for you to lock it in place. I have a Celestron scope with an equatorial mount and the telescope itself is very good for the price (and was well colimated out of the box), however while looking through the finder scope there is sufficient static friction that after you center the target on the cross-hairs and you remove your hand, it reverts back and you have the need to press harder to break the friction and then you have enough force that it overshoots the cross hairs and you have to move it back the other way. So I tend to spend more time pointing than I do looking. This would be a game killer for a youngster. Granted, if there is minimal friction then you must have everything in balanced and your scope miight be moved by the wind -- but the axles should be "free wheeling" -- no strickyness" when the locks are not set. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. Also I found that a finder scope is of limited value compared to an unmagnified "gun sight" type of pointer. If you are familiar with the "star field" in the vicinity of your celestial target you can find your way to the target. But when you "shoot from the hip" and are not lucky enough to get your target into the field of view of the finder scope, then you have no idea of which direction to move the scope to bring the target into view. I find the kind of finder that came with the Celestron was difficult to synchronize with the main scope. The distance between the 3 (not 4) adjustment screws and the ring which was the fulcrum was less than an inch and to make matters worse the ring was not snug and I had to put scotch tape around the finder scope where it hit the ring in order to get the finder scope centered on the target that the main scope was centered on. And three screws give three axis rather than two so that you had to use "step-wise refinement" to get the cross hairs intersecting on the target. And the slightest bump would throw it out of kilter. I eventually purchased a second mount (which included another finder scope I didn't need) and used the set of screws on both, (attaching the second mount with gorilla tape.) It made alignment much easier and also more robust. But I am not good at "shooting from the hip" and getting the target into the field of view of the finder scope, so I finally purchased a Telrad and ditched the little finder scopes and both mounts. A GREAT improvement in ease of use. I think this fact is worth mentioning to avoid purchasing a scope with a regular finder scope, unless you plan on making a separate purchase of something like a red-dot pointer or else the Telrad pointer. Also, under high magnification, an equatorial mount is a MUST. Even if the polar axis is not perfectly aligned with the pole star an equatorial mount is VERY helpful. With high magnification the dobsonian mounts and the azimuth-altitude mounts are only useful for targets in a southern direction (or near the zenith) unless of course you have become good enough at "etcha sketch" to write your name. :-) You might mention also that the table top mount can be used like an equatorial if it is mounted on a slanted board (espedially if you live at high latitudes where the pole star is near the zenith. People make the mistake of going too cheap when purchasing a scope for a child and getting something hard to use which turns a kid off. Better to get one the child can have fun with even if it costs a bundle and then selling it on E-Bay or Craigs list if they are not facinated with stargazing. I wouldn't recommend any of the Celestron telescopes that come with the equatorial mount with sticky axles. It is such a great mount in other respects it is too bad that it has sticky axles. Once it is locked on a target, the fine adjustments work very well. I once had my own "observatory" a large telescope on a "permanent" mount outdoors and it was so well balanced when the mirror was installed, a quarter place on the mirror end would cause it to turn if it was horizontal. But it was so "free wheeling" that it was very sensitive to wind and I had to put it in a shelter to use it. But it was a joy to use because it would stay put wherever I placed it. (Check out Hallick Hill Observatory on youtube.)
Hi Ric300078, If your primary goal is to look at the moon and planets, the Starmax 90 is more compact and has a lot of focal length, making it easy to bump the power up. If you also want to look at the fainter nebulae, the 4.5 will pull in more light and give you a better view of the faint objects. And you can still get to higher powers with the 4.5 with the addition of more eyepieces or a Barlow lens. I hope that helps! -Ken Orion Telescopes
This is a great video. I've been a stargazer all my life, and recently beat Stage 3 Brain Cancer, and I used to stare up at the stars almost every night, and once my treatments were finished and I was declared clear, I decided it was time to get a telescope since I've never had one. I am limiting myself to no more than $200 and I live in Reno, which makes it hard to see the stars because of so much light. So, I've been looking and wanted to decided which scope I wanted, and I need a small one, this video has given me what I needed to make up my mind. However...I am a little confused... I want to view all the planets and get a really good view of the moon as well as things like the Orion Nebula and maybe spot the Space Station one night. Since I have plenty of time at work, I want a telescope that I can just pull out of my car, set it on the hood and just look at a few things that I can see from within the city as well as driving outside the city to see some more darker and further away things. Which particular tabletop type telescope do you think is better for that?
Hi Cando, Any of them can see the moon and planets with nice details, but since you also want to see some fainter deep-sky objects, you'll want to get as big an aperture as possible. Since you want to keep it as compact as possible and be tabletop mounted, I would suggest either the StarBlast 4.5 Tabletop or the StarBlast 6 tabletop. Either one is capable of seeing all the objects you mentioned, with the 6 being better, but also bigger. For planets, I would suggest adding a higher power eyepiece or Barlow lens to bring in more details. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Thank you, I chose the StarBlast 4.5. Saw the rings of Saturn for the first with my own eyes and Venus too. Now I just need to start loading up on lenses and a phone attachment. I've watched like...almost every video your company has put up just to learn a lot. Thank for your educational videos! I look forward to watching more! :D
Hi sidgarthansac, There's a lot to choose from in that price range, but one of my favorites would be the SkyQuest XT10. It would give you the most aperture for the money, and show all sorts of deep sky objects as well as the moon and planets. It's the next size up from the 8" that's featured in this video. Thanks! -Ken Orion Telescopes
Great video and excellent explanation. I recently got a Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ telescope for my 5 year old. She is very interested in the moon. If she becomes more interested, I will probably be dealing with Orion. Thanks
oriontelescopes Hello, I've had some experience with telescopes before but this was some time ago and when I was much younger. My question is: I don't want to go for anything low as I tend to learn fast and have a vast interest and plan on keeping the telescope for years to come, anyway the telescope I plan on getting is a Orion SkyQuest XT8g Computerized. As said I want to go for a more advanced telescope and not end up buying another telescope some months down the line. Not only that I'm also having trouble with finding a barlow to fit it and the choice of filters is insane and again having trouble picking out the right filters.
I have an old ish Twin Star. Plan on busting it out tonight to look at Jupiter and maybe looking at a star or maybe a Nebula if I can find it, but there's a good bit of light pollution in my area, but I'll try.
Hi wsimmons580, You can take some planetary images with this telescope using one of our planetary cameras, but a Dobsonian is not a good choice for long exposure deep-sky imaging. You'll need a telescope on a large equatorial mount to track objects properly without field rotation. Visually, when looking through a dob, this isn't an issue which is why dobs make a fantastic choice for visual astronomy. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi godgirlsguitars, I'd say one of the refractors or cassegrains would work best. The tabletop Starmax 90mm is easy to push around manually for following airplanes, and it gives nice planetary images. Either that or the ShortTube 80mm, which has a wider field of view, but not as much power out of the box for planetary detail. I'd suggest adding a barlow lens if you want to boost the planetary details. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
To any of you thinking about an 8 inch dob: I've owned mine for 2 years. It offers tons of great views for the money. I've seen Jupiter in great detail, with patterns in the bands, the shadows of the moons passing over the surface... I've seen detail on Mars, like the polar ice caps and the faint dark patches. And it performs very well.... but, I find myself not using it much due to it's size. It's not too heavy, it's just awkward to carry. I wish I started out a tad smaller.
Hi loerabear, There's a whole range of computerized telescopes that can be hooked up to a computer or smartphone. For a starting point, look at the StarSeeker 130mm at 9:17 in the video above. It's fully computerized so you don't need an external computer, but we sell software and adapters that will allow the scope to be controlled from a laptop or an iPhone. For the current pricing, search for starseeker 130mm on our website. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
Hi Luc, For the current prices, go to our website and punch those names into the search field. The webpage for each telescope will include all sorts of details along with the current pricing. Thanks -Ken Orion Telescopes
