Our high-quality Dobsonians give you deep-space thrills and up-close planetary detail without the need for deep-pockets. But what if you want more than our standard telescope? What if you want the telescope that you've always wanted, customized the way you'd like?

Presenting Build-A-Scope™

You start with our renowned SkyQuest Dobsonian telescopes and choose:

An IntelliScope with the ease of Computerized navigation. Or, the Classic SkyQuest and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing the night's sky.

An 8" (203mm) parabolic primary mirror or gather even more light with a 10" (254mm) mirror.

Start with the basics ... choose three items that are required for your customized telescope solution: a finder, a focuser, and an eyepiece. Choose from among our huge inventory of Orion branded quality products that work best for your viewing needs.

Now go beyond the basics ... customize your Orion telescope with accessories and SAVE up to 20% on the most popular Orion accessory categories.

Orion's SkyQuest Dobsonian telescopes deliver glorious views of the night sky. And, with your new Build-A-Scope™, you'll get exactly what you want — and save!

If you're just starting out, our standard configuration may meet your needs and is available for fastest shipping. But, if you're looking to upgrade, Build-A-Scope is the product for you!

How To Create Your Build-A-Scope™ 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Step 1

You start by adding the basic (but wonderful) SkyQuest Dobsonian 8" Classic Dobsonian optical tube and base to your cart.

Step 2

Add the required components:

Choose the Orion-brand focuser you would like and add it to your cart — you can see your options for a focuser to the right.

Choose the Orion-brand finder scope you would like and add it to your cart — you can see your options for a finder scope to the right.

Choose the initial Orion-brand eyepiece you would like and add it to your cart — you can see our suggestions for eyepieces to the right, but you can choose any Orion-brand eyepiece you would like from our Telescope Eyepieces category. Any eyepiece you add to your order will receive a 20% discount off the regular price.

Step 3

Then you can choose a variety of other accessories and receive discounted prices:

Choose any additional Orion-brand eyepieces you would like and add them to your cart — you can see our suggestions for eyepieces to the right, but you can choose any Orion-brand eyepiece you would like from our Telescope Eyepieces category. Any eyepiece you add to your order will receive a 20% discount off the regular price.

Choose one or more Orion-brand barlow lenses you would like and add them to your cart — you can choose any Orion-brand barlow lens you would like from our Barlow Lenses category. Any Orion-brand barlow lens you add to your order will receive a 15% discount off the regular price.

Choose one or more Orion-brand telescope filters you would like and add them to your cart. You can choose any Orion-brand filter from our Telescope & Eyepiece Filters category. Any Orion-brand filter you add to your order will receive a 20% discount off the regular price.

If you would like, add the Orion LaserMate Pro Laser Collimation Kit, the Orion LaserMate Deluxe Telescope Collimator or the Orion Collimating Eyepiece and receive a 20% discount off the regular price on either of those items.

Add an Orion Case or Telescope Cover and receive a 10% discount off the regular price.

Step 4

Once you've selected all your accessories, View Your Cart to see your discounted prices. Click on the Checkout button to proceed through our shopping cart and place your order.

Once we receive your order, we will build your telescope! That takes a little more time to ship than a standard order. In-stock orders placed by 12:00 noon Pacific Time will ship the second business day after your order is placed. Before you know it, you will have your very own customized 8" Classic Dobsonian to show off to your friends!

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

Need Instructions?
Note: The instruction manual is for the stock Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope — your custom telescope will vary.

Download a PDF file of the Instruction Manual for this product. Requires Adobe Reader version 3.0 or higher.

Build-A-Scope Terms and Conditions

1. To qualify for the Build-A-Scope program, you must choose a Build-A-Scope optical tube & base and an Orion-branded focuser, finder scope, and eyepiece. The Build-A-Scope products offer the full solution telescope of your choice. The base product is not available for sale separately.
2. The Build-A-Scope program is only available from Orion at this website.
3. The optical tube & base and associated accessories must be included on the same order to qualify for the Build-A-Scope opportunity and discounts.
4. The Build-A-Scope program has a lead time of two (2) additional business days after order placement and requires that all required accessories are in-stock before shipment.
5. The Build-A-Scope optical tube & base and associated accessories are covered by Orion's standard warranty. Please note, however, any return for a Build-A-Scope product must include at least the focuser, finder scope, and one eyepiece. Any additional accessories that are not returned with a Build-A-Scope product will no longer qualify for the Build-A-Scope discount and the refund will be adjusted to charge accessories at the current selling price.
6. Build-A-Scope discounts cannot be applied to previous orders or purchases.
7. Layaway payment plans are not available for the Build-A-Scope products.

*Free Shipping Details
Please note, per-item and per-order charges are waived for the specific SKUs referenced in this offer. Shipping charges for 3-Day Air, 2nd Day Air or Next Day Air are not waived in this offer. This offer applies only to the products listed: 99143, 99147, 99183, and 99184. If you order other products not included in this offer, those items may incur standard per-item charges.

This offer is not valid on orders in process or previous purchases and is available only in the 48 continental United States. Prices and/or promotions are subject to change without notice.