| The Orion XT series (available in 4.5", 6", 8", and 10") includes some of my favorite entry-level telescopes, and I recommend this one, the 8", most of all. It’s well-made, has very good optics, is relatively cheap, isn't too big or too small, and has a nice look. It features an 8" mirror that gathers enough light to do serious work. The mount is a simple alt-az ("altitude-azimuth," a fancy term that simply means "up-down-left-right") design. There is no automated tracking mechanism. When the object in your field of view starts to go out of sight, you simply push to scope along to re-center it. This may sound inconvenient, but the axes are very smooth and responsive to the touch. To maintain tension, the altitude axis ("up-down") uses an innovative spring system. The springs also allow one hardy and ambitious individual to pick up and move it with one hand (the scope weighs 42 lbs.) A 6X30 finder scope is included to help you get oriented, as well as two eyepieces: a 25 mm Plossl (49X) and a 10 mm Plossl (121X). While these eyepieces are of decent quality, the dedicated observer will eventually want to upgrade to better eyepieces like one of Orion’s own Ultrascopics. Regardless of eyepiece though, this scope will let you easily see Saturn’s rings (this is something you do not want to miss, trust me), Jupiter and its four moons, dozens of named craters on the moon, and hundreds of star clusters, galaxies (wait until you see the Andromeda Galaxy) and nebulae. It'll keep you busy for years. Yes, you could go to the mall and get one of those cheap little computer-controlled gizmo telescopes. The problem is, those cute little scopes won't do any one thing well, and they don't gather enough light (the XT8’s 8" mirror gathers eight to ten times as much light as those little 2"-3" scopes). If you've got a new-found interest in astronomy and want an entry-level telescope, you need look no further--although I should also point out that Orion has an excellent upgraded version of the scope called the "Intelliscope" which features the ability to locate thousands of objects by hand using a separately sold paddle-style controller. And if you can't swing the price of the XT8 Intelliscope, I recommend the slightly smaller XT6, which is also a great deal for the price. --Ed Ting Pros - Great scope for the price
- At 8", the mirror is big enough to do serious work
- Includes two perfectly serviceable eyepieces
- Easy re-centering of objects
- Enough viewing power to keep you occupied for years
Cons - No automated tracking mechanism
- The serious sky watcher may need to eventually upgrade to a better eyepiece
- A not very portable 42 pounds
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 Wonderful beginner scope |
| Review Date: April 17, 2004 |
| Reviewer: OhaloStatue, NY, NY |
| As a newbee to astronomy, I researched telescopes for months before deciding on the Skyquest XT8. My main concern was being able to carry it. I decided on this one because its total weight was around 42 lbs. You can seperate the base from the tube and carry it in two pieces, or you can carry the whole thing assembled. Since I am a female, 5'4", I still find it a bit bulky. However, I chose this one instead of a smaller one for the simple fact I want to see as much as I can see, and be able to carry it. I am so glad I did. My first few times seeing, I was awed. I easily found Jupiter: Very clear dark and light belts and surrounding moons, could even make out the dark spot! Saturn: Casini's division is evident on a clear, calm night, M42: stunning nebula like a "fan of light" in Orions sword, the moon looks so close, and you can make out so much detail in the craters, plus much more. I highly recommend the deluxe filter set also. The different filters make details in the planets and nebulae more visible. Blue is great for seeing Orions nebula, green gives jupiters belts more contrast, yellow helps with contrast in Venus cloud cover. Over all, I would give this scope a 10 out of 10. I certianly haven't been dissapointed! Orion's customer service is A+, which is incredible in itself. |
Orion XT8 SkyQuest Reflector Value Item !
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| Review Date: September 16, 2005 |
| Reviewer: W. Mcmurry, sterling, illinois United States |
Lot of scope for the price, my first over 6 inches. Orion designed this to work right out of the box ! Main assembly is the base, will need a crescent wrench and phillips screw driver, rest is included. Sections of the base are pre-drilled, goes together rather easily. One of the best features of this model is that the scope moves silky smooth, up and down movement is wonderful, the base movement left to right is fine but slightly less easy as the cradle. Does have a problem looking straight up (Zenith) but to be fair, all my other mounts (equatorial and a fork mount) lack perfomance in this position.
Rain arrived same day as my scope, so later will give future optical performance, did look at ground objects and is very promising. Unit comes with a nice optical alignment eyepiece, was a slight shift from delivery, found it easy to tweak it in minutes, gives a bulls-eye when correctly centered.
At last clear sky, but full moon, still viewed the famed double double in Lyra, more alignment is needed but still obvious, tried to find M57 a known ring Nebula but the moon won out, observing the full moon was a beauty, use to seeing a washed out moon when fully lit but could see lots of detail-moving on to the North Star for its companion, was visible in lower powers, used a Televue Nagler 4.8MM for 250X, Huge Black Gap with the blue twin easily seen. A smaller scope will find this one but the companion glowed in the 8 inch. Mid morning hours had to glimpse at Mars, best eyepiece again the Nagler gave an impressive image, with a blue filter easily saw the polar cap, even tho smaller now, and pattern(s) showing. Couldn't resist using a 2X barlow on the Nagler eyepiece but the sky conditions would not permit detail, however the larger Martian Disk made the Polar Cap even more obvious.
Deep Sky will have to wait for when the moon clears. This is Not a portable, but is manageable as breaks down to the scope and the base, each about 20 lbs. Set up is fast and I like the spring mechanism, makes the movement even better. Also allows 2 inch eyepiece viewing as well as standard 1 1/4 inch. Will have loads of fun with this one.
Deep Sky (Clusters, Nebula, Galaxies, etc) is where a larger aperature will excel. The 8 inch image of M57 famed Ring Nebula was easy in just low power 60X, and large at 120X, could see the ring looking straigth on tho averted vision showed abit more, M27 the Dumbell, extended biscuit shape showed well again in only 60X, before the moon arrived glimpsed M13, large globular, tho the center blended together outer regions broke apart seeing more stars than use to in smaller instruments-all was just before full darkness, did manage to seek out Mars as keeps getting larger in the early morning sky, only few days after full moon shielded it with trees and Mars view was starting to show more detail, takes patience see, looking forward to better sky conditions. Later tried M13 at 250X, blew it apart, stars near core, breathtaking image even tho starting to get lower in sky !
MARS:
Sept 27th 4 AM, day after the rain cleared the skys and gave a beautiful view (250X, 4.8 Nagler televue eyepiece) of the planet, hints of detail, a S shape band across the center sphere, with Syrtis Major (triange like) easy to see, unfortunately the Martian Summer is steadily decreasing the size of the S P C (South Polar Cap) but could see a bright bead popping in and out of view. Angular size is now just over 17. Was intown viewing only, as the skys fogged up in the country, used the trick of observing under tree(s) to hold down the dew-rewarded with excellent seeing, used 80A Blue Filter.
Trapezium (E & F), Orion Nebula :
Late Sept AM viewed the Orion Nebula, not at transit but wanted to see the trapezium, a tight 4 star group nestled in the Nebula, easy to see the 4 stars but two others nearing 11th magnitude can be a slight challenge ( also are located close to brighter neighboring star(s) ), for the first time saw both of these E and F, conditions had them blinking on and off, the 8 inch gave my first glimpse at both of them, smaller apertures is possible, but I only detected one at best, this first time view for me was worth the price of the scope ! And the Orion Nebula, was beautifully flower-like, hints of green color.
MARS - Saturn Oct 1 BEST VIEW:
Just finished viewing Mars near 5 AM, 4 AM mirror was still settling even tho stored in garage, could not see the Trapezium Companions E and F till near 5 AM, went back to Mars and was huge difference, globe was now sharp, features showed the Syrtis Major starting to enter, but the two other Mare regions near center had details ! Areas defined, my best view to date ! Tho low in horizon looked at Saturn, could easily see the Cassini Division, more detail promised when transit is reached. Also observed a beautiful open cluster below Canis Major, exceptional night indeed and the XT8 performed much better than expected. Used Orange filter and 80 A Blue Filter, again Televue Nagler 4.8mm eyepiece 250X.
Comet Oct 2006:
Just caught Comet Swan 2006, is abit low so need horizon viewing, between Magnitude 6 and 7 for October in early evening sky after dusk, at 60X with 20mm supplied eyepiece nucleus of the comet had some size, moving scope hints of tail, about any size scope will pick this one up but the XT8 brightened the view, appears as a fuzz ball off handle of the big dipper nearing Bootes, use lower power to locate as no luck till I used a 40mm eyepiece for wider view, then 20mm gave exceptional image at 60X..all kinds of info on Comet Swan 2006 via internet, turned out brighter than expected, a great Oct 2006 object..<>..
Last on optics, not a perfect 10 (still does well !) but lots of things to iron out here, perhaps adding more areas of rest for the mirror, and lighter adjustment where the mirror is held in place-note also this is a F/6 system, shorter focal length, shorter tube does permit storage in my Sunbird's trunk ! Also allows lots of seeing in a seated postion. Fun Skys Ahead, WARREN .<>. |
Recommended
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| Review Date: October 13, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Sudarshan Karkada, Missouri City, TX USA |
Firstly, before ordering online, please visit your local retailer and have a look/feel of the scope.
I bought this to replace a 60mm telescope which is very inconvenient to use and has given me more frustration than pleasure. Please, don't even consider buying smaller telescopes.
It took me about 2 hours to assemble the whole thing and I was being "helped" by children 3 year and 6 year old.
The base is made of wood. Weight-wise, it easy to carry, but shape-wise, it is hard and awkward. I have been carrying it without dismantling the tube/barrel.
In the beginning I was worried due to the lack of mechanism for fine adjustments. After I started using it, all my worries have disappeared - the movement is that smooth.
The scope looks big. XT6 appears to be reasonable in size for home use. I haven't compared the two looking at the sky, but XT6 is only ~4 pounds lighter. XT8 permits 2" eyepieces, XT6 doesn't. XT8 doesn't come with any 2" eyepieces, though.
Let me emphasize that it is very important for you to call Orion, find local retailers, call them to make sure that they have one on floor, visit them, and feel the scope. |
Astounding!
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| Review Date: March 8, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Jon J. Gordon, Sarasota, FL USA |
Orion delivered on all they promised. I have enjoyed many nights of wonder and entertainment for myself and my family. This easy to use Telescope (XT8) is an excellent choice for a beginner. The simple design and easy set-up allowed me to begin my astronomy adventure the day my telescope arrived.
My interest in telescopes began with a Meade telescope purchased from a wharehouse. The frustrating instructions, total lack of customer support from Meade ( I waited over an hour, long distance, before a voice message informed me of an 800 number ) and missing parts prompted me to return it. On line research lead me to Orion and the rest has been nothing but enjoyment of the heavens.
You get a lot of bang for your buck! Saturn and Orion are awesome. I am planning ahead and have marked my calendar for the next available view of Jupiter. Orion's web-site continues to provide excellent useful information that is helping me to develop a wonderful hobby.
Amazon's buying power shaved a few days of my wait while this model was on backorder from the manufacturer. |
The ideal amateur telescope
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| Review Date: January 6, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Doug Rice, Twin Falls, ID USA |
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." |
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