Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope for Adults - High Powered Beginner Astronomy Telescope for Moon, Planets & Deep-sky Objects

Theres no amount of praise that I can heap on the XT8 that will communicate my enthusiasm about this telescope. So rather than repeat all the adjectives that have already been used, I will focus my review on tips that people might find useful.First of all if you are like me and are considering XT8 vs XT6 - dude - buy the XT8 - I am sure the XT6 is great but the 8inch is the real thing, perfect mix of aperture and portability. That been said, do know what you are getting into - XT8 is substantial - no denying that - but its manageable. If I had gone with an XT10 - it would not have fit in my car - not easily anyway. The XT8 occupies the entire back seat of my Volkswagen Jetta(08). I am 5'6 and I can handle the XT8 but only as separate pieces, tube and stand. Together, its too cumbersome and heavy to move - also unsafe. The padded case is not all that satisfactory - but it is a must none the less. You get this telescope - you would want to take it to dark skies, the telescope begs it - and you are going to need that bag - so just get it right away. This is one of the accessories that can't wait.Assembly is good - I would suggest don't throw away the plastic coverings, that the telescope parts come with. You can use them to protect your telescope - for e.g. the correction tension springs are metal and can scratch the side of the telescope where they brush against, this wont harm the telescope's optic capability - but why marr it - so once you are done installing - use the bubble wrap plastic to cover them - so when they do brush against the telescope, theres a padding.When setting up the telescope, always take out the stand first and make sure its on as flat a ground as possible. Try tipping the stand, to find if any of the legs are rickety - all three legs of the base have to be at the same ground level - think of your typical old chair that goes tip top when you sit on it - the stand can't do that. Once you have this set up - then move put the telescope on - moving the telescope + stand risks the whole aseembly and its too much effort.The EZ Finder II is great. However, take out 20 minutes in the evening and try and get it aligned with your optics as best as you can - a hair width of error between that red dot and the center of your mirror - won't matter much when you want to see Saturn - but once you start DSO hunting - and you will - that error can mean the difference between hitting that nebula or galaxy and missing the field all together.Know when to stop adjusting the focusser. There is always that urge that may be if I tweak this a bit more I'll get a sharper image. You'll keep adjusting forever. How sharp an image you see on the eye piece also largely depends on the seeing conditions at that place. So don't get mad at the telescope for what is not its fault. Get the focus as best as you can - and be patient in your observation. TAKE YOUR TIME - the celestial objects - or their light rather - will be there tomorrow and the night after and after .. TAKE YOUR TIME - if you track an object or a start or that galaxy for long enough - you will eventually get micro windows when the seeing perfects - and the view will astound you.Lastly, please take care of the telescope - its a baby! Extremely beautiful - capable and adorable - give it a good home and be a good student.

I have always been interested in astronomy since I was young and my parents bought me one of those department store scopes. It was pretty horrible, couldn't even make out the moon. Recently I have regained interest and after doing several days of research, all the sources pointed to this scope. I live in Northern Las Vegas so light pollution, smog, and the hot air currents degrade visibility a lot. I was hesitant but an hour drive will get you to the middle of the desert where it is pitch black.Packing was pretty simple, two boxes, one with the scope (a bit overwhelmingly large) and one with the base. I was able to assemble it in about 1 and a half hours. Construction feels pretty solid and precise. It's size is impressive to those who do not know much about telescopes and I have got a few "wow's" so far. My friends have assumed it was in the $3000 range. One little nit pick, the manual mentions there is supposed to be an eye piece holder included but it is not. I called and Orion said it is only for the XT6 model.Since this is my first scope, I got the 2x Barlow lens and the 13% moon filter. They work very well but I do not recommend buying them separate. Instead, just get the accessories kit that already includes them. Trying to get an exchange on them now. I would also recommend getting the carrying case for protection. This is a pretty large scope and begs to get hit in a door way at some point. The base has a carrying handle but I do not trust it. It feels too low to the center of gravity and feels very awkward.I have not been able to actually take the scope out far, but I did set it up on the 3rd floor balcony of my apartment over looking North Las Vegas towards the West. Even with all of the pollution from smog, light, and the hot air rising, this scope reveals MANY more stars in the sky than the naked eye can see! I was absolutely amazed at the number of stars I could see. As of 9 April, Venus and Jupiter are visible from my balcony. I used the Reflex scope to quickly find them. With the stock eye piece, Venus shows up very bright. I tried the moon filter and Barlow lens just to see what it would look like. It looked very brilliant! Jupiter was even more impressive. Noting the pollution and a night that was quite cloudy, I was able to clearly see 4 of the moons and the gas bands on the planet. Just for fun, I then pointed the scope on Mt. Charleston and found what appears to be a radar station and several towers(Not the ski resort for sure) After that, I pointed it towards the strip and was able to clearly read the neon signs and billboards from about 11-12 miles away, without the Barlows! (Note that terrestrial viewing will be inverted) All of the images were bright enough to hold my phone up to as a poormans astro-photography device.For the price, I am very pleased with this scope. I would recommend it to anyone who is new and serious about astronomy.