Orion SkyQuest XT10
From: $450.00 (incl. VAT plus shipping costs)
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The Orion SkyQuest XT10 is a popular Dobsonian reflector telescope with a 10-inch (254 mm) aperture and 1200 mm focal length. It excels at deep space observation, planetary viewing, and resolving double stars with its large aperture and f/4.7 focal ratio. The telescope comes equipped with 10 mm and 20 mm Plossl eyepieces, a finder scope, and a sturdy base, offering high-quality optics and versatile design at an affordable price point.
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Product Description
The Orion SkyQuest XT10 telescope is a popular Dobsonian reflector telescope with a 10-inch (254 mm) aperture and 1200 mm focal length. Dobsonian design offers excellent optical quality at a lower price than refractor telescopes, making it a preferred choice for amateur astronomers. XT10 telescope excels at deep space observation of celestial objects, planetary viewing, and resolving double stars with its large aperture and moderately fast f/4.7 focal ratio. Orion SkyQuest XT10 comes equipped with 10 mm and 20 mm Plossl eyepieces, a finder scope, and a sturdy, easily swiveling base for enhanced stargazing experiences. XT10 telescope provides a balance of high-quality optics, versatile design, and affordable price, making it an excellent choice for entry-level astronomers seeking value and performance.
Orion SkyQuest XT10 excels at deep-sky observation and planetary viewing. Exceptional light gathering capabilities reveal detailed images of the Moon and planets. Visual astronomy enthusiasts benefit from the telescope’s ability to capture faint deep-sky objects. Affordable large aperture telescope offers great value for its price, appealing to both beginners and experienced astronomers. Popular model among amateur astronomers reflects its quality and performance in various astronomical applications.
Manageable size enhances portability despite its large aperture. 24 kg weight allows for versatility in different observing locations. Compact design suits astronomers needing flexibility in various settings. Versatile instrument balances performance and affordability for night sky exploration. High-quality optics satisfy experienced astronomers while intuitive controls benefit beginners.
Should you buy Orion SkyQuest XT10 as your first telescope?
Orion SkyQuest XT10 is an excellent first telescope for newcomers. XT10 offers exceptional optical quality and ease of use. Dobsonian design provides stability and simplicity. Great value for its $400-$600 price range. Instrument excels at viewing deep-sky objects, planets, and the Moon. Orion SkyQuest XT10 balances quality, features, and affordability for astronomy beginners.
Is Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 easy to use?
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 is exceptionally easy to use for both beginners and experienced astronomers. Its Dobsonian design features a point-and-view functionality, allowing users to simply grasp the tube and point it towards desired celestial objects. The telescope’s simple setup process eliminates the need for complicated alignments or calibrations. A red dot finder enables quick and accurate pointing, especially beneficial for those unfamiliar with the night sky. The smooth mounting system and sturdy base provide a stable observation platform, ensuring users focus on celestial wonders without stability concerns. The 2″ Crayford focuser allows for sharp focus achievement, while straightforward manual controls facilitate easy navigation and adjustment. The telescope’s overall design prioritizes user-friendliness, making it an excellent choice for astronomers of all skill levels seeking an intuitive and enjoyable stargazing experience.
Should you buy Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Reflector Telescope for kids?
The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Reflector Telescope is recommended for kids serious about astronomy, aged 10 and up, with adult supervision. We highly recommend this telescope for its large 254 mm aperture, enabling deep space observation and excellent views of the moon, planets, and star clusters. The dobsonian design offers ease of use for new astronomy enthusiasts. The telescope weighs 24 kg, making it challenging for younger children to handle and transport. Families seeking a versatile telescope for ambitious kids will find the XT10 a great choice, providing high-quality views of the night sky. For younger children or beginners, a lighter scope like the Orion StarBlast Astro is recommended as a more affordable and kid-friendly option.
What can you see with Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10?
The celestial objects you can see with Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 are listed below.
- Lunar craters
- Lunar mountain ranges
- Lunar rilles
- Mars polar ice caps
- Mars dark regions
- Jupiter’s cloud bands
- Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
- Saturn’s rings
- Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
- Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
- Orion Nebula (M42)
- Lagoon Nebula (M8)
- Open star clusters
- Globular star clusters
- Double stars with separations as small as 1-2 arcseconds
Should you buy Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope to observe planets?
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope is a good choice for observing planets. Its 254 mm (10-inch) aperture and 1170x light gathering capacity provide decent views of planets in our solar system. Observers will see Saturn’s rings with good definition and view Jupiter’s moons with ease. The telescope’s high resolution limit of 0.46 arcseconds allows for detailed observation of moon craters and other lunar features. The f/4.7 focal ratio offers a balance between magnification and image brightness, suitable for visual observation of planets. The telescope’s portability enables planetary observation from different locations. The maximum useful magnification of 500x limits viewing of distant planets like Uranus and Neptune in great detail. The lack of a motor drive makes tracking celestial objects challenging. The Dobsonian mount is easy to use, making it suitable for beginner and intermediate astronomers.
Should you buy Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 to observe galaxies?
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 is an excellent choice for observing galaxies. Its large 254 mm aperture allows significant light gathering, making faint galaxies visible. The telescope specializes in deep space observations, revealing intricate details of nebulae, Messier objects, and distant galaxies. Visual observers prefer the XT10 for its versatility and ability to explore various celestial targets. The popular Dobsonian reflector combines optical quality with ease of use, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced astronomers. The XT10’s f/4.7 focal ratio and light gathering potential unveil the wonders of deep space, from nearby galaxies to far-off cosmic structures.
Should you buy Orion 8945 XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope for astrophotography?
The Orion 8945 XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is not recommended for serious astrophotography. Lunar and planetary photography remains possible with short exposures due to the 254mm aperture. Deep sky object photography proves challenging because of the lack of motorized tracking and equatorial mount. The Dobsonian design excels in visual observations but presents limitations for astrophotography. Manual tracking and the f/4.7 focal ratio complicate long exposure imaging of faint objects. Beginners face a steep learning curve when attempting astrophotography with this telescope. Practice and patience yield good results for moon and planet imaging. Additional equipment may overcome some Dobsonian limitations. Astrophotography enthusiasts should consider purpose-built telescopes with advanced mounts and features for optimal results.
Is Orion SkyQuest XT10i Intelliscope portable?
Orion SkyQuest XT10i Intelliscope offers high portability despite its 40-pound weight. Manageable transport makes it suitable for stargazing excursions. High focal ratio of f/4.7 requires more setup effort but doesn’t diminish overall portability. 10-inch aperture and 1200mm focal length provide powerful viewing capabilities in a relatively portable package.
Specifications
| Telescope type | Dobsonian |
|---|---|
| Optics structure | Newtonian |
| Optical design | Parabolic |
| Optics material | Glass |
| Aperture size | 254 mm |
| Focal length | 1200 mm |
| Limiting stellar magnitude | 14.7 |
| Focal ratio | f/4.7 |
| Aperture ratio | 1:4.7 |
| Resolution limit | 0.46 arcseconds |
| Resolving capacity | 0.92 arcseconds |
| Light gathering capacity | 1170x |
| Lowest useful magnification | 29x |
| Maximum useful magnification | 500x |
| Tube material | Steel |
| Tube diameter | 254 mm |
| Type of focuser | 2" Crayford |
| Eyepiece size | 1.25" |
| Magnification of eyepiece | 10mm, 20mm |
| Mount type | Dobsonian |
| Mount structure | Wood |
| GoTo controls | No |
| Motors | No |
| Type of electronics | None |
| Batteries | None |
| Power supply | None |
| WiFi | No |
| GPS | No |
| Includes hand controller | No |
| Tripod height | 63-90 cm |
| Tripod leg diameter | 50 mm |
| Tripod material | Wood |
| Finderscope | 6×30 |
| Barlow lens | 2x |
| Size dimensions | 63x46x26 cm |
| Weight | 24 kg |
| 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 |
12 reviews for Orion SkyQuest XT10
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Aleksa (verified owner) –
The big, sturdy build immediately caught my attention. It feels solid and well-made. The ample space inside the tube allows for easy mirror cooling, essential for sharp images. I’ve observed the moon, planets, and even deep-sky objects with impressive results. Views are so clear and sharp, even at high magnifications. I’ve had other telescopes before, but the XT10 is perhaps the best I’ve ever owned. My previous smaller scopes didn’t have the same quality optics. The XT10 is heavy, as expected for its size and build.
Hailey (verified owner) –
Orion SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope delivers deep, detailed images thanks to its parabolic mirror. Deluxe features and smooth altazimuth mount drew me to this telescope. Sturdy tripod provides a stable base. Orion designed a functional, easy-to-use object. Weight worried me initially, but the telescope is quite portable. Taking it to different viewing locations is no problem.
jhowe (verified owner) –
The build quality is impressive – sturdy and well-constructed. Views of the night sky are extremely clear and detailed. I’ve seen much more compared to my old telescope. Focal length is perfect for observing nebulae and deep-sky objects. Traditional Dobsonian design makes navigation easy.
daniel92 (verified owner) –
Orion XT10 Dobsonian’s large aperture allows for amazing views of deep-space objects. Manual adjustment has become my favorite feature. Tracking celestial objects manually makes me feel more connected to the universe. Optical quality was importantly a top priority for me, and the XT10 doesn’t disappoint. The telescope is surprisingly small and lightweight, making transport easy. I’ve used the Orion SkyQuest 10 on multiple chilly nights with flawless performance.
Matilda (verified owner) –
Orion 8945 SkyQuest’s performance has blown me away. The parabolic mirror provides incredibly clear and deep views of the night sky. Portable design makes it easy to take on the go. I’ve observed multiple celestial objects, from planets to nebulae. Performance has been almost perfect every time. Solid and stable base allows me to write notes and sketches easily.
mlewis (verified owner) –
The telescope has been a remarkable addition to my hobby. Image quality is very good, perfect for astrophotography. My results have been glorious, capturing stunning views of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. The XT10 works well with standard accessories too.
Alicia Ball (verified owner) –
Orion’s 10-inch Dobsonian reflector telescope gathers light effectively with its parabolic mirror, making faint celestial bodies visible. Clear nights reveal stunning details of the moon and planets. Low-lying constellations are easy to spot. Quick setup is a huge plus for me, as I don’t have time to fuss around.
xwood (verified owner) –
The construction is sturdy and well-built. Setup was simple, with clear instructions even for a non-expert like me. Viewing nebulae through it is breathtaking – I felt like I was in space. Orion is a reputable company, and it shows in the thoughtful design. There’s a minor issue with uneven mirror coating, but it hasn’t affected performance much. Other options are available, but this telescope is soft on the wallet without sacrificing quality.
Bently (verified owner) –
Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10’s construction is high quality and materials feel sturdy. The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic provides sharp, clear views of the moon and planets. Deep space objects previously invisible to me are now within reach. XT10 Intelliscope is a significant upgrade from my previous telescopes. Optics on the Orion 10-inch SkyQuest XT10 are identical to more expensive models I’ve looked at. Setup and use are easy, even for a beginner like me. I’ve only had the Orion XT10 Dobsonian telescope for a few weeks.
omarpowell (verified owner) –
Orion XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope delivers high-quality images with its powerful 10-inch aperture. Physical build is solid, sturdy, and nicely weighted, making transport easy. Views have been brilliant on the few clear nights I’ve taken it out. Polar alignment is a breeze, and tracking is smooth and accurate. Captured amazing shots of the night sky with top-notch image quality. Powerful aperture reveals a wealth of detail in observed objects. Latest focuser upgrade impressed me, making sharp images easier to achieve. Lime-green LED light on the focuser is a nice touch for focusing in the dark. Thoroughly enjoying my time with this telescope.
fmedina (verified owner) –
Orion 8945 SkyQuest’s optics are remarkably sharp, allowing me to see the moon in stunning detail with craters and mountains visible at low magnification. The lime-green hue of the Orion Nebula was easily observable.
jodi19 (verified owner) –
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT10 Dobsonian Telescope has blown me away with its performance. My family and I use the Orion XT10 Intelliscope mainly for casual stargazing. Setting up was easy, even as a beginner. Instructions were clear, and I had it running quickly. Smooth, soft motion controls make navigating the night sky a breeze.