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Orion Telescopes
Intermediate
Orion SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit
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  • Deluxe upgrade of our popular XT8 Classic Dobsonian boasts multiple key feature enhancements and additional included accessories
  • Eye-catching metallic blue optical tube rides on a redesigned base with adjustable altitude tension knobs
  • Convenient thumbscrew-adjustable secondary mirror for easy collimation without tools
  • Features a 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser with 11:1 fine-focus provides precise focus adjustments for sharp views
  • Upgraded accessories include a 2" 28mm DeepView eyepiece, 1.25" 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece, Safety Film Solar Filter, Shorty 2x Barlow, eyepiece rack, EZ Finder II reflex sight, DeepMap 600 folding star chart, collimation cap, and more


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Item #  08974

What do you do with a best-selling, fan-favorite telescope that has developed a dedicated following among amateur astronomers the world over? Here at Orion, we gave our popular XT8 Classic Dobsonian a serious makeover! Using the XT8 Classic as a starting point, we added top-notch features and accessories to create the Orion SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector. This deluxe upgrade of our stalwart 8" reflector telescope boasts a redesigned Dobsonian base, adjustable altitude axis tension, a 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser, and a host of other upgraded features and included accessories to enhance your observing experience.

The sleek redesigned base of our SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian not only looks great, it also features weight-reducing cutouts which help make the XT8 PLUS more portable than its XT8 Classic counterpart. The base is quite visible, even in the dark of night, thanks to its white trim. Topping the base (literally) is the big, 8"-aperture, f/5.9 reflector telescope optical tube with a unique, eye-catching metallic blue color. The XT8 PLUS features adjustable tension knobs on the altitude axis, which replace the tensioning springs found on the XT8 Classic model. These adjustable knobs make the XT8 PLUS more versatile, since you can now adjust the tension of the altitude axis of motion to allow use of heavier 2" eyepieces, Barlow lenses, multiple finder scopes, and other hefty accessories. With the altitude tension properly adjusted, using heavier accessories will not cause the optical tube to drift downwards during use.

The SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian is built around an 8" (203mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror mounted in a sturdy, cast-aluminum support cell. The mirror collects 78% more light than a 6" mirror, so you get a significant increase in ability to observe dust lanes in nebulas, resolve the cores of prominent globular star clusters, and to reveal some of the more subtle structures in faint galaxies. The 1200mm focal length (f/5.9) XT8 mirror allows you to obtain clear and crisp views at moderate to high magnifications on clear nights with good seeing conditions. The Moon and planets of our solar system like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars shine brightly in the Orion SkyQuest XT8 PLUS, allowing you to inspect them in high-resolution detail. Enhanced-reflectivity mirror coatings boost the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian's mirror up to 94% reflectivity so as much light as possible is transmitted to the eyepiece, resulting in exceptionally bright, clear views. The point-and-view simplicity of the Dobsonian design is not as complicated as a telescope attached to an equatorial (EQ) mount and tripod. With a little practice, your whole family can use the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian telescope to scan the heavens just like experienced astronomers.

We've equipped the XT8 PLUS with a thorough set of top-notch accessories to enrich your stargazing experiences.

Focuser

Enjoy smooth fine-focus control with the dual-speed Crayford focuser

You'll appreciate the precise focus control provided by the big, 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser of the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian. A step-down 1.25" adapter is included to allow use of both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. Thanks to the focuser's Crayford design, focus adjustments are smooth, accurate, and virtually free of backlash and flexure. With an 11:1 fine-focus ratio, you'll be able to make precise adjustments for sharp, crisply detailed views.

Barlow

View at a variety of magnifications with two included eyepieces and a Shorty 2x Barlow

The big, 2" 28mm DeepView eyepiece will help you obtain expansive 42.8x views, while the included 1.25" 10mm Sirius Plossl ocular will provide more powerful, 120x magnification for close-up views. To boost magnification even higher, use the 1.25" Shorty 2x Barlow lens included with the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian telescope to double the power of any 1.25" eyepiece. You can use the Shorty 2x Barlow with the included 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece to achieve a very powerful, 240x view.

Solar Filter

Explore the fun of daytime astronomy with the included Safety Film Solar Filter

In addition to stargazing at night, you can also use the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian during daytime hours thanks to the included Safety Film Solar Filter, which lets you safely observe sunspots as they march across the surface of our nearest star. The solar filter rejects all harmful light from the Sun, while allowing a very small fraction of light to pass through, so you can safely enjoy the fun of daytime solar astronomy.

Secondary Mirror

Convenient thumbscrew-equipped secondary mirror cell makes adjustments easy

Like all reflector telescopes, the XT8 PLUS will likely require minor periodic maintenance to make sure its optical mirrors are aligned, or "collimated". To make collimation adjustments nice and easy, we've outfitted the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian telescope's secondary mirror with knurled thumbscrews so you don't have to hassle with tools to align the reflecting optics of the telescope.

White Base Trim

Bright white base trim helps avoid accidents in dark conditions

Since stargazing is best when it is very dark outside, there is always a chance of accidentally bumping into or tripping over pieces of equipment that are hard to see in low-light conditions. To help avoid such mishaps from ruining your next observing session, we've made the base of the XT8 PLUS easy to see, even in the dark of night, thanks to its highly visible white trim.

Deep Map

Use the included DeepMap 600 Folding Star Chart to plan deep sky observing adventures!

The SkyQuest XT8 PLUS telescope includes the popular DeepMap 600 folding star chart. This "road map" of the cosmos will tell you just where to look in the night sky to find interesting objects to explore in the big XT8 PLUS Dobsonian Telescope. Color-coded symbols identify more than 500 galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters - including all 109 Messier objects - as well as some 100 of the most interesting double and variable stars. DeepMap folds up just like a road map for easy packing, and it's printed on durable dew-proof material for worry-free outdoor use.

The big, 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser installed on the XT8 PLUS is a significant upgrade compared to the single-speed focuser of the XT8 Classic. The focuser features a step-down 1.25" adapter so you can use both powerful 1.25" eyepieces and wide-field 2" oculars. Thanks to its Crayford design, focus adjustments are smooth, accurate, and virtually free of backlash and flexure, even with heavier 2" accessories installed. With an 11:1 fine-focus ratio, you'll be able to make extremely precise adjustments for sharp, crisply detailed views of whatever celestial quarry you turn your XT8 PLUS towards. We've equipped the XT8 PLUS with a thorough set of top-notch accessories to enrich your stargazing experiences. This is one telescope you'll be able to use during daytime hours, thanks to the included Safety Film Solar Filter, which lets you safely observe sunspots as they march across the surface of our nearest star. A 2", 28mm DeepView eyepiece will help you obtain expansive 42x views, while the included 1.25" 10mm Sirius Plossl ocular will provide close-up, 120-power observations. For even more powerful views, use the included Shorty 2x Barlow lens to double the power of any 1.25" telescope eyepiece. You can keep one 2" eyepiece and up to three 1.25" eyepieces at-the-ready with the included eyepiece rack. Aim the XT8 PLUS easily and accurately with the included Orion EZ Finder II reflex sight. Also included are a quick collimation cap for mirror alignment, dust caps for the reflector telescope tube and focuser.

Like all reflector telescopes, the XT8 PLUS will likely require minor periodic maintenance to make sure its optical mirrors are aligned, or "collimated". To make collimation adjustments nice and easy, we've outfitted the XT8 PLUS Dobsonian telescope's secondary mirror with knurled thumbscrews so you don't have to hassle with tools to align the reflecting optics.

For easy transport and storage, the Orion XT8 PLUS telescope can conveniently be broken-down into two separate pieces. By unthreading the two altitude tension knobs from the Dobsonian base, you can detach the 46.5" long reflector optical tube and transport each piece separately. With an assembled weight of 42 lbs., the XT8 PLUS is a lot of telescope offered at an amazingly affordable price.

Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).

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 800-447-1001.

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 borosilicate glass
  • Eyepieces
    Sirius Plossl 10.0mm (1.25"),DeepView 28.0mm (2")
  • Magnification with included eyepieces
    120x, 43x
  • 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
    Lunar & planetary
  • Computerized compatibility
    Not compatible
  • Bearing material
    PTFE and UHMW bearings
  • Tube material
    Steel
  • Tripod material
    Wood
  • Length of optical tube
    46.5 in.
  • Weight, optical tube
    20.8 lbs.
  • Weight, mount/tripod
    21.2 lbs.
  • Weight, fully assembled
    42.0 lbs.
  • Additional included accessories
    1.25" eyepiece adapter, Eyepiece rack, 2x Barlow 1.25", Collimation cap, Safety film solar filter, 8"
  • Other features
    Adjustable altitude axis tension knobs, Dual-speed Crayford, Enhanced 94% reflectivity, Secondary mirror collimation thumbscrews
  • Warranty
    One year

Orion SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Optical Tube Assembly with Crayford focuser
Dobsonian base
Altitude tension knobs
Eyepiece rack
Orion 2" 28mm DeepView telescope eyepiece
Orion 1.25" 10mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece
Orion 1.25" Shorty 2x Barlow  
Orion Safety Film Solar Filter for 8" Reflector Telescopes
Orion EZ Finder II Reflex Sight
Collimation cap
Dust cover for optical tube

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship 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
Standard Delivery to Canada: $45.00
3 Day Delivery: $200.00
2 Day Delivery: $200.00
Next Day Delivery: $246.00

SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

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

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