Just got this scope and tripod. Weather has not cooperated for much viewing as yet. However, the few times I’ve been out with the scope, have been extremely pleased.
Looks to be a good step up from the cheapo beginner scopes. In case you are thinking about a starter scope and dont wish to commit lots of $$S, please take a suggestion from one who has been there and done that. Go ahead and spend over $200-250 for scope and tripod.
I spent that a great deal on numerous low end stuff that were unsatisfactory and typically broke soon after. This scope appears significantly a lot more durable, viewing size is excellent and also the tripod is all metal, extremely nice. So far no major cons.
Will add a lot more if I come across any other info with further useage.
I’ve never owned a telescope and got this for me and my 7 and 9 year old kids after doing some internet homework. It arrived packaged securely. was fairly effortless to set up and we were exploring the heavens in no time.
Showed my skeptic wife a planet, forget which one, she said “how do I know that’s not just a bright star?” so I zoomed in on Saturn and there was no room for doubt!
We live in a suburban neighborhood so the seeing problems are generally not extremely good but even in these disorders the rings of Saturn had been unmistakable.
Can’t wait to get out within the country to check it out under better problems but so far we love it and extremely recommend to others as a solid bang for the buck entry level scope.
The equatorial mount setup is really a quite lengthy process. It comes in numerous pieces so, if you are buying this get ready to spend most of the very first night putting them all together and figuring out how (the instructions manual just isn’t quite user friendly…you’ll find two primary pictures you might be supposed to use as guide but not too helpful).
The upside of this is that, once armed and leveled, it is pretty strong and firm so you do not have to be adjusting screws and notches all the time like with my previous telescope. This also helps to hold the target image nevertheless.
Packaging was AWFUL. My telescope arrived broken: the primary mirror had separated from the bottom on the tube and hit the secondary mirror numerous times (during transit most likely). The major reflector mirror ended up severely scratched plus the secondary mirror broken. I put it all back together as ideal I could, collimated (adjusted the mirrors angles and tilt) as described within the user’s guide and tested the telescope on Jupiter and its Galilean moons.
The effect in the broken/scratched mirrors is obvious along with the image just isn’t clear. You do not get to see Jupiter’s gas stripes as advertised. You are able to nevertheless get a very good look at the earth moon though. I’m nonetheless waiting on Saturn to become visible to evaluate. The item is reasonably large and a little heavy so don’t think you’ll be able to just drive it around easily, unless you’ve a big trunk.
For the price, it’s certainly worth it, assuming you get it delivered in far better conditions than I received mine. I’m not happy with it but its not like I’m extremely disappointed at it.
Technical Details
The entire family will have a blast probing the heavens with this real reflecting telescope!
18″-long tube and 4.5″ mirror for exciting views of the moon’s craters, the planets, and more!
Includes sturdy tripod and equatorial mount for hands-free celestial tracking
Includes two eyepieces, finder scope, and FREE Starry Night astronomy software
One-year limited warranty
Product Details
Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
ASIN: B000AP03S4
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Considering how many adults have told us they love our StarBlast “mini Dob,” we weren’t surprised that some of them suggested we offer the StarBlast optical tube on a full-size telescope mount. Sounded like a good idea to us. So here it is, the StarBlast 4.5 EQ. It’s bound to become a favorite of both adults and adolescents alike. It combines the much-heralded StarBlast wide-field (f/4.0) parabolic optics with a sturdy, adjustable height EQ-1 equatorial tracking mount. So if you’re an adult (or a parent) looking for an exceptional starter scope on a tracking mount, or an experienced amateur astronomer seeking a more portable alternative to your “light bucket,” then get a StarBlast 4.5 EQ. The name says it all!
The 8″f6 Dobsonian telescope is common for very good reason. It is straightforward to manufacture and uncomplicated to use. It’s car portable, gives beneficial views of planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. It’s little enough to give vast field views (as wide as 2.28* using a 41mm Panoptic eyepiece), and large adequate to reveal the rings of Saturn, cloud bands on Jupiter, and large magnification views of double stars.
This scope by Orion has far better than average optics, and provides surprisingly beneficial views of deep sky objects. Under a dark sky I’ve observed four galaxies within the Virgo cluster by way of this telescope.
To present the very best achievable views, all Newtonian telescopes need collimnation, so tools for this are essential. The Kendrick Laser Collimnator is exceptional.
Finding deep sky objects with a Dobsonian can be difficult, especially in light polluted skies. You may possibly would like to take into account the Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope with Object Locator. This enables you to invest less time searching and much more time observing. Otherwise, a 7×50 straight through finder can support.
You’ll want a low energy vast field eyepiece (32mm-40mm) for obtaining objects, a medium energy eyepiece (12mm-20mm) for deep sky, and a higher magnification eyepiece (5mm-8mm) for observing planets and “lunar orbit”.
The 8″f6 Dobsonian telescope is common for very good reason. It is straightforward to manufacture and uncomplicated to use. It’s car portable, gives beneficial views of planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. It’s little enough to give vast field views (as wide as 2.28* using a 41mm Panoptic eyepiece), and large adequate to reveal the rings of Saturn, cloud bands on Jupiter, and large magnification views of double stars.
This scope by Orion has far better than average optics, and provides surprisingly beneficial views of deep sky objects. Under a dark sky I’ve observed four galaxies within the Virgo cluster by way of this telescope.
To present the very best achievable views, all Newtonian telescopes need collimnation, so tools for this are essential. The Kendrick Laser Collimnator is exceptional.
Finding deep sky objects with a Dobsonian can be difficult, especially in light polluted skies. You may possibly would like to take into account the Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope with Object Locator. This enables you to invest less time searching and much more time observing. Otherwise, a 7×50 straight through finder can support.
You’ll want a low energy vast field eyepiece (32mm-40mm) for obtaining objects, a medium energy eyepiece (12mm-20mm) for deep sky, and a higher magnification eyepiece (5mm-8mm) for observing planets and “lunar orbit”.
The challenging part was deciding whether or not to obtain the 8 or 10 inch. These are quite standard telescopes, but quite usable. Needless to say I would like the biggest aperture, but I need to transport the point from the trunk of a Toyota Corolla.
The 8 inch fits like a glove so the 10 would have been a disaster, unless you drive a bigger vehicle. Also, the weight is substantial if you’ve got to carry it any distance.
I got the padded bag which actually assists so you are able to carry the base with the other hand and balance the load some. I’m a big guy and I wouldn’t wish to carry this too far. Having said all that, I love the scope. The set up takes a couple of seconds after you’ve put it together the 1st time. Just drop it in the base and pull the springs down.
That’s it. It’s a challenge to discover objects inside the sky whenever you are a beginner, so don’t worry about magnification at this point. Just ensure you align the spotting scope before you go out the very first night and have fun.
Just bought this as a gift for my high-school sophomore daughter.
I spent many time comparison shopping on-line. Ordered it via Amazon, and it arrived in just several days.
Two boxes. Took me a bit longer to set it up than others who have posted here, but screwing together the base pieces was fairly simple, and then mounting the tube to the base was a snap.
I such as the handle, as it makes it much more portable, even though it can be nevertheless bulky and I am still working on the best method for carrying it outdoors each night for our family sky-watching.
Anyway, I Genuinely like it so far.
We bought the 3x Barlow lens too.
We began employing it in the course of the new moon phase, and Saturn was out.
Very cool to see Saturn’s rings so clearly. Then last night we utilised it to appear at the half-moon, and all I can say is..WOW! I felt like I was orbiting the moon and seeking down from 60 miles. You possibly can see shadows of individual craters, plus the clarity is wonderful. Extremely crisp image.
The 3x Barlow genuinely enhances the view, and definitely magnifies nicely.
I also like the way it is possible to rotate and pitch the tube.
I didn’t would like to purchase a ‘scope with a tri-pod since from the additional weight and I didn’t desire to pay for the tri-pod.
The base that comes with the xt8 is basic, but extremely functional. I consider it works properly, and I consider it will be uncomplicated to carry it in our minivan out towards the high country where the light pollution is reduced.
So far we are extremely happy with this buy.
Ordered this, a thirteenpercent moon filter, and 3x barlow. Took longer to unpack and take inventory in the parts than it did to put it together. Uncomplicated instructions and surely well protected for shipping. Mount is easy to swing but not effortless enough to acquire free wheeling.
Major mirror needed slight adjustment which took about 2 minutes to fix. Alignment with spotting scope was equally as quick. Overall, did not have any problems or any issues that weren’t easily addressed by the instructions.
Did my primary check tonight. I live a handful of miles east of Philadelphia and within a 1/4 mile of a ridiculously lit up Super Walmart. Plus the only location I could do a check was in my drive way between houses on a busy suburb street. We got 10 inches of snow last night and this was the only spot that was solid.
Given my crappy area full of light pollution, my only actual expectation tonight was to verify that the spotting scope as well as the major scope were in alignment. So I pointed at Orion’s Nebula (M43) with my spotting scope and then took a look through the factory supplied 25mm eye piece with no barlow.
WOW!!! Even with my crappy area, M43 was awesome!!!! I could quickly see the nebula and make out the hues and colors. Equally wonderful, my spotting scope and principal scope were dead on!!!
I then wheeled the scope towards Saturn which was only a couple of degrees over my neighbor’s roof, a real no-no when it comes to stargazing. Properly, if this was bad conditions, all I can say is WOW!!! It was just as remarkable. Even though the rings are tough to make out because the rings are appropriate on in terms of their plane, it was still simple to see in addition to a lot of moons circling. WOW!!!
Then tried the thirteenpercent moon filter on the crescent moon. WOW!!!! Wish I could describe it far better, but the first peek at this stuff is just amazing!!! I cannot wait to have out this weekend to rural location and appear at this stuff. I’m giving it 5 stars now basically because the product’s quality right from the box was top shelf and what you’ll be able to view out of it is basically incredible even with my awful light polluted location.
And even though I was only out testing for a number of minutes, my neighbors wondered what I was performing and when I gave them a peek at Saturn, the ooooohs and aaaahs were priceless!!?!!
* 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
* Now includes an upgraded 2″ Crayford-style focuser that accepts 1.25″ and 2″ eyepieces
I purchased this telescope like a birthday gift for my husband and he definitely loves it. I desired anything that was ok for your beginner, but had ample “growing room” that once he genuinely got heading he would even now delight in it. This telescope would be the perfect combination.
Orion shipped this out really rapid even even though I only opted for common shipping. It took less than a half an hour to place together and is effortless to move close to (from the deck to inside, etc.). The picture on the sky is crisp and bright and as far as I can tell, nicely worth the money.
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jump to the moon
by Teresa Harris
I bought the 130St about two years ago ever since I’ve had nothing
but enjoyment from this telescope. On my initial observation I picked up
the double cluster in Perseus(NGC869 and NGC884) which was so clear the
stars looked like bright pinpoints of perpendicularly crossed lights.
Venus was also really remarkable to find out, its cresent disk might be easely
and clearly seen. I later on saw Saturn you’ll be able to effortlessly see its rings and moons,and Jupiter was a sight to determine with propper focusing you could
effortlessly see its cloud belts. Galaxy’s where clearly witnessed on dark nights
,but do not anticipate to a great deal on galaxy’s mainly because they are so far away even
a twelve inch scope won’t pick up a great deal more than a five inch scope.
I can’t say sufficient beneficial about this telescope it comes with great accessories and each factor you must get you going.
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Amazing Views!
byPsychman
First of all, everything I know about utilizing a telescope comes through the Orion internet site. They have articulate, concise, and well written articles/tutorials/star charts, that gently introduce beginners to the hobby FOR Totally free! Second, and most importantly, this small scope is remarkable! I live in suburbia subsequent to a street lamp, and down the road from an obnoxiously bright Walmart. Even with the moon setting inside western sky, I could quickly see Saturn, along with the Cassini Division. From the week that I’ve owned the scope, I’ve also seen Sirrius, Mars, and spectacular views from the moon w/ terminator. My house blocks the northern sky in the backyard, so I haven’t been capable to Polar align the scope yet. But with a star chart, objects are fairly simple to locate employing the finder scope. The 130mm aperature captures plenty of light! Deep sky images are amazing with high contrast and wide field of view. Planetary pictures are very properly defined with higher magnification eyepieces. I’ve had the ideal luck setting the tripod in grass, simply because difficult surfaces often cause a tiny vibration. Furthermore, the physics in the EQ2 mount may perhaps necessitate an above average degree of mechanical aptitude (The original owner I bought it from assembled it entirely wrong, and even discounted the cost mainly because she thought it was missing parts, which it wasn’t)! I can’t wait to take it away in the city lights! I highly advocate this telescope for its top quality and value (even when purchased new). I also advocate the corporation for its dedication to my enjoyment on the hobby, even though they created no profit from my invest in (yet! They’ve won me over for the up coming 1 though).
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A great scope for quick and casual viewing
by S. Abdelli
I already personal an 8 inch GOTO telescope, and although I love it, it really is really an affair to setup, and is pretty heavy. I leave my 130 ST scope inside garage, and is usually observing in a few minutes. The scope is light but stable, and sturdy. The adjusments are smooth, and with the optional drive, I can track stars, if I will be viewing for a longer time. The planets came sharply into view, so I think it truly is an excellent intermediate scope, and a single you’ll be able to take with you on a trip.
(The manual was also extremely clear)
