Orion SkyQuest XX14g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope Review

Orion SkyQuest XX14g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope

The Orion SkyQuest XX14g with its GoTo Truss is (along with its cousin the XX14i) simply top of the line when it comes to the Orion SkyQuest series.  This is a professional scope for serious astronomers who see star gazing as more than just a hobby.  For the owner of the XX14g, viewing the heavens is a lifestyle.

This is a powerful scope that is fully automated and electronic, making star tracking a pleasure.  The computer system is not just great for slewing distant galaxies.  It is also necessary for the serious astro-photographer.  When precision instruments are required where the tiniest bump can knock the camera’s image millions of light years off course, the solid XX14 will hold steady.  More…

Orion SkyQuest XX14i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope

The Orion SkyQuest XX14i IntelliScope is perfect for the advanced astronomer who wishes to explore the deep sky, as well as for the keen amateur who wants to get right into sky gazing without the pains of locating objects from scratch. With a built-in computer, the XX14i allows for serious night sky tracking with the push of a button.

The Orion SkyQuest XX14i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope provides a colossal 14″ aperture.  An aluminum mirror enhances reflectivity by 94% giving a much brighter image of the night sky.  More…

Orion SkyQuest XX12g GoTo Dobsonian Review

The Orion SkyQuest XX12g is one of the top telescopes from the Orion brand.  It is incredibly powerful and primed not only for planets, but more especially for deep sky viewing.  It can bring out galaxies, nebulas and a host of other celestial features.  If you’re looking for bright colors, the Orion XX12g will show you a pallet of incredible sights.

An important feature of the XX12g is its ability to track celestial object without you needing to constantly adjust knobs. That’s because the XX12g is fully motorized. Once you tell the encoder what you want it to track, the telescope will slew its way to your object of choice–then stay on it! Unless you’re keen to track an object manually, this motorized dobsonian is the way to go.

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Orion SkyQuest XX12i Intelliscope Telescope Review

The Orion SkyQuest XX12i is an incredible telescope, simply put.  With a massive 12″ span, its mirror is designed to wolf down deep sky photons and compress them into a point of light in the view finder.  As one of the largest telescopes in the SkyQuest series, it is also one of the most powerful and will give you fantastic views for years to come.

The Orion XX12i is the first of the ‘truss’ style telescopes from the SkyQuest series.  The reason for the truss bars will become obvious when you imagine transporting a solid steel dobsonian tube of this size.  It would not only be difficult to fit into a vehicle (other than a pick-up truck or bus), but it would also be incredibly heavy!  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT10g GoTo Dobsonian Review

The Orion SkyQuest XT10g is the largest and most powerful of the tube dobsonians and is a jumping off point before entering the larger truss series.  It is an excellent telescope by any measure with a massive aperture and great optics.

The XT10g is often viewed as a second telescope after someone has outworn their 60mm or something like the XT4.5 and is looking for something more substantial.  The main selling point for this particular model is the GoTo motorized system that allows for complete automatic tracking of the stars.

The motorized tracking system is extremely important to astronomers for two main reasons.  First, it allows for a much easier and faster use.  Many pros will have earned their right to use a motorized tracking system after many long nights spent doing it manually.  Having the telescope track on its own is a dream come true to those who are ready for the luxury of unhindered star gazing.  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT10i Intelliscope Telescope Review

The Orion SkyQuest XT10i is an advance on the Classic XT10 and a price leader when it comes to the motorized XT10g.

What makes the XT10i unique from the Classic XT10 is that it has a built-in computer. This computer has a database of more than 14,000 celestial objects. The motorized XT10g takes it one step further by moving the telescope automatically for you. That makes it more suitable for entrance level astrophotography.

As a second or even first telescope, the XT10i is a huge step up from a basic 60mm refractor. And having your data already processed will ensure you see great objects on your very first night out.  If you’re relatively new to astronomy, having a great first night out with a giant 10″ scope will keep you motivated to take on this hobby.  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Review

Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classicis a leader in terms of the triumveret of the three large tube telescopes, the XT6, the XT8 and the XT10.  It is also just a step behind when it comes to the even larger XX series, the XX12 and the XX14.  This makes the XT10 a mid-range powerhouse that is practical like the smaller tubes, yet an unapologetic major player when it comes to deep sky gazing.

The people who purchase the XT10 Classic have usually owned a small 60mm refractor or use binoculars and simply want an upgrade.  They are also purchased by first time astronomers who are curious about the night sky and want a great first experience.  The XT10 Classic is an excellent option for both.  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT8g GoTo Dobsonian Review

The Orion SkyQuest XT8g Computerized GoTo Dobsonian Telescope is really a fantastic telescope if you’re looking to gaze up at celestial objects without the need to constantly adjust knobs. This telescope is also an entrance level scope when it comes to astrophotography.

That’s because the XT8g is fully motorized. Once you let the computer know what you want it to track, the telescope will do the rest. Unless you want  to find and track objects manually, this motorized dobsonian is the way to go.

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Orion SkyQuest XT8i Intelliscope Telescope Review

The Orion SkyQuest XT8i is an advance on the Classic XT8 and a price leader when it comes to the motorized XT8g.  What makes the XT8i unique from the Classic XT8 is that it has a built-in computer.

This computer has a database of more than 14,000 fascinating celestial objects.  The motorized XT8g takes it one step further by moving the telescope automatically for you.  That makes it more suitable for entrance level astrophotography (which you may decide you want to do if you get really into astronomy).  More…

Orion SkyQuest X8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Review

The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is one lean machine.  It is a bazooka of a tube with a massive 8” diameter composed of fully enamelled steel.  It sports a powerful mirror that is able to gather deep sky photons from distant galaxies.  It comes with a set of fantastic Plossl eyepieces and an EZ Finder II findscope.  What the XT8 doesn’t come with is a big price.

The great thing about the SkyQuest series is that it is parred down and priced for the beginner while offering the kind of quality engineering you would expect from the big players.  Just compare the XT8 with its cousin from the Meade line, the LX90.  While the 8” SkyQuest is priced around $330, the LX90 is sky-high at $2000!  (Personally, the LX90 doesn’t even look as cool).  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT6i IntelliScope Telescope with Object Locator Reviews

The Orion SkyQuest XT6 IntelliScope is the entrance telescope for the professional astronomer. It is 80% more powerful than the XT4.5 and ranks in size with the XT8 and XT10. Simply put, the XT6 is a heavy-weight in the entrance level telescope arena.

What makes the XT6i unique from both the XT4.5 and the regular XT6 is that it has a built-in computer. This computer has a database of more than 14,000 fascinating celestial objects. As an entrance telescope, having your data already processed will ensure you see great objects on your very first night out. And that will keep your motivation going strong for the next star-gazing night!  More…

Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian

The Orion SkyQuest XT6 is much different than the regular kind most people start out with.  Unlike the standard ‘refractor’ telescope that Galileo used, this sturdy Dobsonian is a ground based telescope that is able to draw in a massive amount of light.

That makes it not only great for viewing planets, but you will also have an incredible deep star experience.  Your friends and family will gasp in amazement when they see the rings around Saturn, the eye of Jupiter or the gorgeous colours of the Orion Nebula.  The experience can be deeply moving and makes for a great ‘Star Party’.   More…

Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Are you just starting out as a sky gazer? Or are you looking to share the experience with your son or daughter? If you really want to grab attention and give a great first impression of astronomy, the Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 is a fantastic way to go!

The ‘dobsonian’ style of telescope is much different than the regular kind of tube used by Galileo. It has its base firmly on the ground and towers up into the sky just like a miniature observatory. This automatically gives the first time user the exciting sense that they are entering the big leagues of astronomy.   More…