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Orion Telescopes
Intermediate
Orion SkyQuest XT8g Computerized GoTo Dobsonian Telescope
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  • Innovative GoTo Dobsonian reflector telescope with fully motorized object location and automatic tracking of over 42,000 celestial wonders!
  • 8" aperture reflector optics reveal detailed views of the planets and Moon, as well as deep-sky objects such as nebulas, galaxies, and sparkling star clusters
  • All GoTo motors, gears, and encoders come pre-installed on the Dobsonian base boards so assembly is quick and easy
  • Requires 12V power supply (sold separately) for motorized operation
  • Includes 2" dual-speed (11:1) Crayford focuser, 28mm 2" DeepView eyepiece, 12.5mm 1.25" illuminated crosshair Plossl eyepiece, EZ Finder II reflex sight, eyepiece rack, collimation cap, and more!


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Item #  08948

Orion Dobsonian telescopes have always been known for superb optical and mechanical quality, wonderful ease of use, and remarkably affordable prices. One other thing they - and almost all other Dobsonians on the market - have had in common: you pushed the telescope to your observing target by hand.

GoTo Dob Chart

Until now. Orion is pleased to herald another giant leap in Dobsonian evolution with the introduction of the SkyQuest XTg series of fully motorized GoTo Dobsonian telescopes. Now, pointing an Orion Dobsonian to even the most elusive of NGC curiosities is as easy as pushing a button or two on the XTg Dobsonian telescope?s illuminated computerized GoTo hand controller. High-torque servo motors guided by two pairs of high-resolution encoders then slew the telescope right to your object of interest - any of over 42,000 objects in the computerized GoTo controller?s database. No more nudging the telescope tube continuously to keep the object from drifting out of the field of view, either. The 8? aperture XT8g Dobsonian automatically tracks the celestial object?s apparent motion, keeping it centered in the telescope eyepiece while you savor the view. Any amateur astronomer who has ever manually tracked a night-sky object with a Dobsonian telescope will greatly appreciate the benefit of this convenient and precise tracking system. What?s more, the closed-loop electronics of the XT8g let you move the telescope manually - or endure the accidental bump - without losing orientation for accurate, automated GoTo pointing!

The Orion SkyQuest XT8g Dobsonian telescope combines GoTo pointing convenience with excellent portability and an affordable price. It features a 203mm (8") aperture; 1200mm focal-length parabolic mirror (f/5.9) made from low-thermal-expansion optical glass, with enhanced reflectivity (94%) aluminum coatings for high-definition images. The mirror is center marked to make alignment of the optics (also called collimation) easier and more precise. The optical tube comes equipped with an accurate dual-speed 2" Crayford focuser complete with an 1.25" adapter for use with both 2? and 1.25? telescope eyepieces. The 11:1 fine focus knob ensures that you?ll quickly find that ultra-sharp focus point that makes your target object pop with dazzling clarity! The telescope?s modern open mirror cell design facilitates efficient cooling of the primary mirror to ambient temperature so you can spend more time viewing, and less time waiting for temperature equilibration. The mirror cell also features threaded holes for mounting an optional cooling accelerator fan, for even faster equilibration.

The GoTo Dobsonian base of the SkyQuest XT8g comes with all optical encoders, drive motors, and gears pre-installed, making assembly a breeze. The telescope optical tube drops into the GoTo base on a dovetail trunnion and conveniently locks in place with a single hand knob. A simple two-star alignment procedure is all it takes to orient the telescope to the sky for GoTo operation. Then let the fun begin! When you?re ready to call it a night, just loosen the knob and pop the optical tube off the Dobsonian base for easy transport or storage. Handles on the base?s front and side panels make it easy to lift and carry.

A thorough set of standard accessories packaged with the XT8g Dobsonian telescope include an Orion EZ Finder II reflex sight, removable eyepiece rack with holes for one 2" and three 1.25" telescope eyepieces, hand controller mounting bracket, quick collimation cap, a wide-field 28mm DeepView 2" eyepiece, and a 12.5mm illuminated-crosshair Plossl eyepiece (1.25") which enables ultra-precise GoTo system alignment. The XT8g drive motors require power from a 12-volt DC field battery or AC adapter, sold separately. A DC cable is included with telescope that has an auto-lighter style plug on one end for connecting to your 12-volt DC power source, and a coaxial plug on the other end that fits the power jack installed on the Dobsonian base.

You?re going to love plying the night skies with the SkyQuest XT8g GoTo Dobsonian telescope. The computerized GoTo hand controller?s softly red-illuminated keypad lets you select an object from a variety of intuitive menus, or take a tour of the best objects in the sky at any time of year. The time you?ll save by not having to manually search for your targets will allow you to kick back, relax, and spend more time enjoying the magnificent views through the eyepiece. 

If you are an intermediate or avid deep-sky hunter who wants a big-aperture telescope but not the high price tag, a Dobsonian is the way to go. And now, finally, you can have one that offers the convenience of motor driven GoTo pointing - to anything in the heavens you?d like to see! Make your next telescope the Orion SkyQuest XT8g GoTo Dobsonian!

Note: Orion XTg GoTo Dobsonians are not compatible with the Orion IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator.

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Product Support
Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more
  • Best for viewing
    Brighter deep sky
  • Best for imaging
    Lunar & planetary
  • User level
    Intermediate
  • Optical design
    Reflector
  • Optical diameter
    203mm
  • Focal length
    1200mm
  • Focal ratio
    f/5.9
  • Optics type
    Parabolic
  • Glass material
    Low thermal expansion glass
  • Eyepieces
    DeepView 28.0mm (2"),Plossl 12.5mm (1.25")
  • Magnification with included eyepieces
    42x, 96x
  • Resolving power
    0.57arc*sec
  • Lowest useful magnification
    29x
  • Highest useful magnification
    300x
  • Highest theoretical magnification
    406x
  • Limiting stellar magnitude
    14.2
  • Optical quality
    Diffraction limited
  • Finder scope
    EZ Finder II
  • Focuser
    2" dual-speed Crayford
  • Secondary mirror obstruction
    47mm
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
    23%
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by area
    5%
  • Mirror coatings/over-coatings
    Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
  • Mount type
    Dobsonian
  • Astro-imaging capability
    Simple moon shots
  • Motor drive compatibility
    Clock drive included
  • Computerized compatibility
    Go-To included
  • Alignment procedure
    2-Star Alignment, Brightest Star
  • Number of objects in database
    42,000+
  • Tracking rates
    Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
  • Motor type
    DC Servo motors with encoders
  • Bearing material
    AZ: Thrust needle bearings ALT: Ball bearings
  • Power requirement
    12-volt DC - 2A (tip positive)
  • Available ports
    RS-232, Aux
  • Tube material
    Steel
  • Tripod material
    Wood
  • Length of optical tube
    44.5 in.
  • Weight, optical tube
    19.7 lbs.
  • Weight, mount/tripod
    32.7 lbs.
  • Weight, fully assembled
    52.4 lbs.
  • Additional included accessories
    Eyepiece rack, Collimation cap
  • Other features
    Navigation knob, 2" dual-speed Crayford, Full Go-To control
  • Warranty
    One year

8" aperture reflector telescope Optical Tube Assembly
Dust cover
28mm Deep View telescope eyepiece, 2" barrel diameter
12.5mm Illuminated Plössl telescope eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter
EZ Finder (with bracket)
Collimation cap
Eyepiece rack
2 Eyepiece rack wood screws (20mm long, color black)
2 Hex keys (2mm, 3mm)
Tube to base securing knob
Hand controller holster (with 2 assembly screws)
Left panel (with altitude motor pre-installed)
Right panel
Front brace
Ground baseplate assembly (with azimuth motor pre-installed
6 Base assembly wood screws (coarse thread, 47mm long)
8 Base assembly machine screws (fine thread, 60mm long)
3 Handles
6 Handle mounting screws (hex head, 25mm long)
2 Hex keys (size 4mm, 6mm)
3 Plastic feet
3 Feet wood screws (1-inch long)
3 Rubber plugs for feet
Hand controller
Hand controller cable
AZ motor connection cable
RS-232 computer cable
Primary mirror
Mirror cell
3 Collimation knobs
3 Nylon washers (3/4-inch outer diameter)
3 Springs

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock item the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

Standard Delivery: $0.00
3 Day Delivery: $261.00
2 Day Delivery: $261.00
Next Day Delivery: $338.00

SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states, APO/DPO/FPO addresses and US territories/protectorates. Delivery is not available to Canada.

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