Orion Skyquest XT8
From: $350.00 (incl. VAT plus shipping costs)
In Stock (2 Available)
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is a Dobsonian reflector telescope with an 8-inch (203 mm) aperture and a focal length of 1200 mm. It features a parabolic primary mirror made of soda-lime glass, providing clear views of celestial objects at a focal ratio of f/4.7. The telescope comes with 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces, a 2″ Crayford-style focuser, and a 6x30mm finderscope, offering excellent light grasp and high-quality views of the Moon, planets, nebulae, and galaxies.
Compare price among sellers:AmazonAstroshop
Worldwide shipping. Delivery within 7 days!
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
- No Hassle Refunds (30 Days)
- Secure Payments
Product Description
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 telescope is a classic Dobsonian reflector telescope with an 8-inch (203 mm) aperture. Orion SkyQuest XT8 features a Newtonian reflector design with a parabolic primary mirror made of soda-lime glass, providing clear and crisp views of the night sky. XT8 telescope has a focal length of 1200 mm and a focal ratio of f/4.7, making it suitable for moderate magnifications. Orion SkyQuest XT8 includes 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces as accessories, offering a good starting point for sky observation. XT8 telescope stands out for its simple and intuitive design, making it easy to use and navigate for astronomy beginners while delivering excellent performance for its price.
The XT8 offers excellent light grasp due to its large aperture and fast focal ratio. Users experience clear views at high magnifications, making it suitable for observing the Moon, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. The Dobsonian mount provides point-and-view ease, allowing quick location and tracking of celestial objects.
Orion designed the SkyQuest XT8 as a beginner-friendly scope, balancing performance and affordability. The telescope excels in visual observing, delivering high-quality views at an accessible price point. Amateur astronomers appreciate its combination of performance, ease of use, and value.
The XT8 comes with several accessories to enhance the observing experience. Included items are a 2″ Crayford-style focuser, 1.25″ eyepiece, and 6x30mm finderscope. These additions complement the telescope’s capabilities and provide users with essential tools for exploring the night sky.
Should you buy Orion Skyquest XT8 as your first telescope?
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is an excellent choice for a first telescope. Its 203mm (8-inch) aperture provides impressive light-gathering ability, enabling detailed views of celestial objects. The Dobsonian design offers easy operation for beginners, with intuitive controls and smooth motion for tracking night sky objects. Moon views reveal clear crater details, while galaxies and nebulae display stunning colors and structures. The XT8 balances performance and affordability, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term use. Additional accessories may enhance its capabilities, but the telescope’s large aperture and user-friendly features make it a solid recommendation for astronomy newcomers.
Is Orion 8945 XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope easy to use?
Orion 8945 Xt8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope offers exceptional ease of use. Intuitive controls enable simple celestial object finding. Comprehensive manual guides setup and effective operation. Telescope suits new stargazers, beginners, amateurs, and observers of all skill levels. Quick setup and minimal maintenance enhance user-friendliness. Design allows straightforward celestial observation for novices and experienced astronomers alike.
Should you buy Orion 8945 Skyquest XT8 Classic Dobsonian for kids?
Yes, we suggest buying Orion 8945 Skyquest Xt8 Classic Dobsonian for kids at least 10-12 years old. Telescope weighs around 45 pounds. Children must be tall enough to operate comfortably. Scope requires assembly of tube and base. Telescope suits serious young astronomers who can manage its size and weight.
What can you see with Orion XT8 Intelliscope Dobsonian Telescope?
The celestial objects you can see with Orion Xt8 Intelliscope Dobsonian Telescope are listed below.
- Jupiter
- Mars
- Mercury
- Venus
- Saturn
- Moon
- M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)
- M81 (Bode’s Galaxy)
- M82 (Cigar Galaxy)
- M65
- M66
- M3 (Globular Cluster)
- M5 (Globular Cluster)
- M13 (Hercules Globular Cluster)
- Albireo (Double Star)
- Mizar-Alcor (Double Star)
- M44 (Beehive Cluster)
- M45 (Pleiades)
- M42 (Orion Nebula)
- M76 (Little Dumbbell Nebula)
- M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
- M33 (Triangulum Galaxy)
Should you buy Orion Skyquest XT8 Telescope to observe planets?
Orion SkyQuest XT8 telescope offers exceptional planetary observation. 8-inch aperture gathers ample light for faint objects. 1200mm focal length provides high magnification for detailed planet views. XT8 outperforms competitors in its price range for planetary viewing. Serious planet observers should strongly consider purchasing this telescope for superior performance and value.
Should you buy Orion 8945 XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope to observe galaxies?
The Orion 8945 Xt8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is recommended for observing galaxies. This popular Dobsonian offers a significant edge with its 203mm aperture and 1200mm focal length. The telescope excels at collecting light from distant objects, allowing users to see nebulae and faint galaxies. Its parabolic design provides clarity and sharpness for viewing celestial objects. The telescope is suitable for casual galaxy viewing and deep-sky observation. Advanced astronomers may find limitations in discerning dust lanes or fine details in galaxies. The Xt8 is not ideal for astrophotography of galaxies due to its design. The telescope combines aperture, ease of use, and moderate portability, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced astronomers interested in visual galaxy observations.
Should you buy Orion Skyquest XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope for astrophotography?
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope is not recommended for astrophotography. Astrophotography requires precise tracking capability provided by equatorial mounts. Dobsonian telescopes lack this essential feature. The XT8’s altazimuth mount makes achieving necessary tracking accuracy difficult. Long exposure times are impossible with manual tracking systems. Astrophotography needs specialized equipment not included with the XT8, such as camera adapters and autoguiders. The telescope’s 203mm aperture provides excellent light gathering power for visual observation. Light gathering power alone cannot compensate for the lack of tracking capability in astrophotography. Refractor or Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with equatorial mounts are better suited for capturing high-quality celestial object images.
Is Orion Skyquest XT8 Intelliscope portable?
Orion SkyQuest XT8 Intelliscope provides excellent portability for amateur astronomers. Telescope weighs only 40 pounds (18 kg), enabling easy transport to various observing locations. Compact design ensures stability and durability during regular use and transportation. Focal length of 1200mm and f/5.9 ratio balance magnification with portability. Versatile telescope offers reliable performance for astronomical adventures.
Specifications
| Telescope type | Reflector |
|---|---|
| Optics structure | Newtonian |
| Optical design | Parabolic |
| Optics material | Glass |
| Aperture size | 203mm (8 inches) |
| Focal length | 1200mm (47.2 inches) |
| Limiting stellar magnitude | 14 |
| Focal ratio | f/5.9 |
| Aperture ratio | 1:5.9 |
| Resolution limit | 0.69 arcseconds |
| Resolving capacity | 364x |
| Light gathering capacity | 843x |
| Lowest useful magnification | 29x |
| Maximum useful magnification | 400x |
| Tube material | Steel |
| Tube diameter | 203mm (8 inches) |
| Type of focuser | 2" Crayford-style |
| Eyepiece size | 1.25" |
| Magnification of eyepiece | 10mm (120x) |
| Mount type | Dobsonian |
| Mount structure | Wooden |
| GoTo controls | No |
| Motors | No |
| Type of electronics | None |
| Batteries | None |
| Power supply | None |
| WiFi | No |
| GPS | No |
| Includes hand controller | No |
| Tripod height | 63-90cm (25-35 inches) |
| Tripod leg diameter | 50mm (2 inches) |
| Tripod material | Wooden |
| Finderscope | 6x30mm |
| Barlow lens | 2x |
| Size dimensions | 122x51x30cm (48x20x12 inches) |
| Weight | 24kg (53 lbs) |
| Recommended for Moon and planets | Yes |
| Recommended for nebulae and galaxies | Yes |
| Recommended for astrophotography | No |
| Recommended for beginners | Yes |
| Recommended for advanced astronomers | No |
| Portability | Moderate |
| Ease of use | Easy |
| Assembly | Required |
| Release date | 2005 |
| Brand | Orion |
| Telescope series | SkyQuest |
| Manufacturer | Orion Telescopes & Binoculars |
| Country made in | China |
8 reviews for Orion Skyquest XT8
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
David Rios –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope has surpassed my expectations in every aspect. Skyquest XT8 by Orion continues to amaze me with its performance in astronomy. Monthly stargazing sessions reveal incredible details I never thought possible from my suburban backyard.
dpoole –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 has been a game-changer for my stargazing sessions. Orion XT8 Classic Dobsonian Reflector Telescope’s large aperture allows for amazing views of the night sky. Moon surface details and distant galaxies are now visible to me. Super versatile scope performs admirably for deep-space observing and planetary viewing. Optics quality impresses with crisp, clear views and minimal distortion. Research convinced me the investment was worth it. Monthly astronomy club with friends has the XT8 as the star of the show.
Buse –
Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 has a sleek, unpretentious build quality that gets the job done without being flashy. Setting up the telescope on the sturdy tripod was a breeze.
Roland –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 has been a game-changer for my stargazing experiences. Orion SkyQuest 8-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope’s performance has thoroughly impressed me. The total package, including tripod and accessories, is well worth the investment. SE mount stands out as a specific feature. Incredibly sturdy and smooth, the mount makes tracking night sky objects easy. Never had any bad experiences with the scope. Views of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects are truly breathtaking.
Tracy Simpson MD –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope has been a great choice for me as an intermediate astronomer. Orion XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is not too big or too small, making it easy to set up and use.
Lyana –
It’s exceeded my expectations in many ways. The sleek design caught my eye immediately and makes setup a breeze. I’ve tried several telescopes before, but this one is especially impressive. Assembly was simple thanks to the informative, easy-to-follow instructions. Once set up, I was amazed by the clear views of the night sky. Image quality is nearly flawless – I can see celestial details I never thought possible. The black finish looks nicely against the starry backdrop. Balanced design allows for easy maneuvering.
Andréa –
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 caught my eye. It’s pretty affordable considering its quality and features. The 8-inch aperture is essential for viewing faint objects, providing serious light-gathering power.
aliciasantos –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope has blown me away with its performance. The Orion SkyQuest 8-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope’s higher quality images stood out immediately compared to my old telescope. The 8-inch aperture makes a huge difference, allowing me to see more detail in observed objects. Dobsonian design has been a great choice.