Reddit reviews Orion 10014 SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope
We found 9 Reddit comments about Orion 10014 SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Compact and lightweight - a perfect Dobsonian reflector telescope for traveling or easy trips to the backyard at home4.5" aperture and 900mm focal length provide clear views of lunar craters and plains on the Moon, planets, bright nebulas and galaxiesSturdy and portable Dobsonian base and handy navigation knob allow for effortless maneuvering of the reflector optical tube. Focal ratio - f/7.9. Resolving power - 1.02arc*secCollects a whopping 260% more light than a typical beginner-level 60mm refractor telescope - which means hundreds more objects will be visible through the Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic DobsonianIncludes two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm focal length Sirius Plossl), 6x30 finder scope, 1.25" rack and pinion focuser, collimation cap, eyepiece rack, Starry Night astronomy software, and more!
Just my opinion. It's $20 over your budget but it will give you a solid, portable beginners setup perfect for moon and planets.
Orion Skyquest 4.5 - $260
Moon filter - $20
2x Barlow - $40
How technical / mechanically savvy is she? Has she shown a strong interest in astronomy, or are you giving her this gift in the hopes that she'll find it interesting?
The reason I ask is that while the second one you linked to is a better instrument, it's harder to operate the mount and get the scope to point where you want it. A non-mechanically savvy or only partially interested kid may lose interest because the mount could prove to be too frustrating to use.
I've had numerous telescopes in my life, currently have a mid-grade refractor on an equatorial mount, and it's a pain in the ass even for me. I don't use it as often as I would like because it's cumbersome. Cheap equatorial mounts also vibrate like crazy, blurring images the instant you touch the focuser.
The only reason to get an equatorial mount is if you want motorized / aligned tracking of objects. A smooth alt-az mount is just as easy to keep objects centered with IMO, and it's SIGNIFICANTLY easier to just aim at them.
If she does have a strong interest, and you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, you can get her a scope she'll grow into rather than grow out of, by getting something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-10014-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B0000XMSNO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417754292&sr=8-2&keywords=orion+skyquest
I don't know your budget but this is a great telescope for a 9 year old and you wont be disappointed. It's durable and a really good scope that will last a long time. Maybe get a barlow lens because it doesn't come with one but it's the best bang for the buck. You will be taking this puppy out and orion has a great customer service. Here is the link
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-SkyQuest-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/tags-on-product/B0000XMSNO
> I am looking for a really good telescope that is between 100 to 150 dollars...200 would be pushing it. Does anyone have any good recommendations?
There is no "really good" telescope within your budget. An 8" Dobsonian would be ideal but it costs $330. Stretching your budget a little you could get a 4.5" one for $230.
Ah gotcha. I wasn't sure the age of your son, but it's awesome you are looking for one for your young son and helping him to venture into the world of science. If I were you I'd just wait and find a decent scope on craigslist. If he is still interested in astronomy in a couple years then I would throw down some money on a scope. I think a smaller scope for seeing the planets and looking at the moon will be interesting for him. The Orion XT6 is pretty large, but they do sell a 4.5" model which would be a bit smaller and cheaper. Link
I wouldn't buy anything from Wal-mart or K-mart though, those scopes are kind of trashy. I used to have a Tasco when I was younger that I won in a fundraiser and I could see the moon and not too much else so it was kind of disappointing.
Best of luck.
Yes I'm located in the U.K and cool thanks for this advice :) I've done some looking around and I was thinking about the http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0000XMSNO/ref=pd_aw_sbs_2?pi=SY115&simLd=1 Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 because I'm just not sure.. But I will definitely take what you have said into consideration and look at everything you have linked.. :) thank you reddit stranger
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-10014-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B0000XMSNO
I got this one for my kids this Christmas, Pretty reasonable price and I can clearly make out the Cloud bands on Jupiter and the 4 Galilean moons. I guess I will find out about being able to see the spot and the shadows later this month. If I knew then what I know now I would have kicked in the extra $$ for the XT6... http://www.amazon.com/Orion-8944-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B001DDW9UW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420267036&sr=1-1&keywords=XT6
This was a great resource for me in trying to sort out how to best spend my money.
http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/firstscopes.htm
I have this one and I love it: https://www.amazon.com/Orion-10014-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B0000XMSNO/ref=pd_sbs_421_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0000XMSNO&pd_rd_r=4PBPDVSK8CK92CENCT31&pd_rd_w=E0pXs&pd_rd_wg=Ltec5&psc=1&refRID=4PBPDVSK8CK92CENCT31
I was actually salivating over this just last night.
*edit: Oops, just saw the UK note. My fault. Dumb question - wouldn't you be able to just buy that from the US Amazon site?