Buy Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian TelescopeOrion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope Product Description:
- Large Dobsonian reflector telescope with 8" aperture allows you to see faint deep-sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies, in addition to fantastic views of the Moon and planets
- Locating those faint deep-sky objects is simple with the IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator - it includes more than 14,000 objects in its database, and points you right to each one
- Select the object you wish to view from the IntelliScope database, then simply follow the directional arrows displayed on the hand controller by moving the telescope until the object is right in the eyepiece field of view - it's easy!
- The ultra-stable Dobsonian telescope base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for easy point-and-view use
- A precise Crayford focuser allows use of larger format 2" telescope eyepieces - the bright, wide-field view of the Andromeda galaxy in a low power 2" eyepiece is jaw-dropping!
Product Description
Orion's SkyQuest XT8i Intelliscope Dobsonian Computerized Telescope combines powerful 203mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in a nicely portable package. With the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, the amateur stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the IntelliScope's databank. It's like having your own personal tour guide to the universe! The optical tube houses an 8" (203mm) parabolic mirror and rides on our state-of-the-art Dobsonian base, equipped with springless CorrecTension friction control for smooth movement and always-perfect tube balance. One-year limited warranty.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful.
Fine starter scope
By Ethan L.
One of the best features of Dobsonians is that they offer high aperture at a decent cost. A Cassegrain with the same aperture would cost twice as much. The downside to Dobs is the size of the scopes themselves. Larger Dobs can be almost impossible to carry around. However, the Orion XT8 is a fine compromise in size and weight. With everything assembled it weighs a little over 40 pounds.The scope's power is more than enough for an amateur getting into astronomy (I found the Ring nebula just the other night). With a 203mm aperture, the main mirror can pick up faint clusters, nebula, and most of the planets. Combined with a recently purchased 8mm Hyperion eyepiece, Jupiter was just an amazing sight. I recommend buying eyepiece upgrades. One line of thought with telescopes is that half of the scope's ability comes from the mirror aperture, the other from the eyepiece power. The two included eyepieces are 'ok', but once you slip in a TeleVue or Baader into the focuser you will definitely notice the difference.The Intelliscope finder is a different matter. Assembly of the scope and encoder boards have to be spot on for the alignment procedure to work properly. The Intelliscope finder is manually controlled and a two star alignment must be done for proper use. This system works better in theory than in reality, as only slight variations in the star or vertical alignment procedures can throw off the finder's ability. But once you get adjusted to the night sky the Intelliscope finder's use is almost negated.I'd recommend the Orion XT8i to beginners or to anyone looking to upgrade from a starter scope. But keep in mind that the Intelliscope finder must be installed precisely and used with exact alignment or else it will be so off from its altitude/azimuth that it won't work properly.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful.Nice, Well Made Scope
By Steve
My previous scope was an equatorial mounted 3" refractor. This 8" Intelliscope is much better. I wasn't sure how I would like the Dobson mount, but it works well. It is very smooth, especially if you have the scope level. It is a little less responsive when you are looking at objects that are almost straight up. The Intelliscope computer works well for finding objects in the sky. I have a small patch of light polluted sky for sky observing, so the stars I use for initial setup are not very far apart, but with careful setup I can locate what I want in the sky (provided it's in my patch). All of the parts appear to be well made. I recommend getting the bag, a barlow and a moon filter.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.Well made, nice images.
By Amazodian
My first telescope.. and I'm happy with it .. easy to put together,(watch the video on their site as you do it) easy to use, well made (base could be a bit better then it is but it seems to work fine)Great images of Jupiter and four of its moons, also our Moon so far is mostly it.. have been able to find a few galaxies but I live in a pretty heavy lighted area, so not much detail to them, and also its been very hot here lately (heat distorts views I've read?) I think for the price this is a great started scope with some room to grow. OH and Orion has been awesome with its service so far also .. had an issue with a 2" Q70 eyepiece I ordered and they replaced it within a few days.. like three days! Now that's service!
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