Maybe the idea of a big-aperture telescope appeals to you, but the portability issue has kept you on the fence. Well you can hop off it now because we've got the perfect solution - the "space-saving" Orion Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope. It's a deep-sky observer's dream telescope, offering jumbo 12" (305mm) Pyrex parabolic optics of 1500mm focal length (f/4.9); a stylish, reduced-weight base outfitted with computerized IntelliScope object locating technology; and a sturdy, eight-truss tube design that disassembles in about a minute into compact, easily portable components. And at its price, it ranks as the #1 killer telescope deal of the year!

Finally, a deluxe, large-aperture Dobsonian that fits comfortably into a compact car for transport to your favorite observing site! Credit the it's traditional truss tube design, which utilizes eight aluminum trusses (four captive pairs) that attach and detach quickly with oversized hand knobs - no tools required! This design provides a more rigid structural support than other designs in this category. And all assembly knobs are captive, so you won't lose any in the dark! When removed, the trusses in each captive pair align in parallel, which saves space when transporting and storing them. Disassembly of the 56"-long optical tube yields two sections, the largest measuring just 26" in length.

The Orion Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope improves on the already stellar features and performance of our standard XT12 IntelliScope Dobsonian and its Build-A-Scope cousin. We outfitted this telescope with larger, 8" altitude bearings for smoother tube motion. The side-reinforced base sports stylish cutouts that minimize weight without sacrificing stability. EbonyStar laminate glides on non-stick PTFE material to give the azimuth motion the feel of silk. Fine features carried over from the XT12 include adjustable altitude tension, an open 9-point flotation primary mirror cell, and a "navigation knob" for easy slewing.

Although the primary mirror cell is extremely well ventilated, the Orion Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope comes with a Cooling Accelerator Fan, which attaches to the back of the cell and facilitates faster equilibration of the mirror to ambient temperature. The secondary mirror has a 70mm minor axis and is held in a four-vane spider with very thin (0.7mm thick) vanes to minimize diffraction effects.

The acclaimed IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator comes standard on this telescope, allowing manual slewing to any of 14,000 celestial objects in just seconds, using its illuminated pushbutton keypad. It lets you spend your time viewing celestial objects instead of hunting for them. What's more, with this telescope's 305mm of light-grabbing aperture, your favorite "faint fuzzies" won't look nearly so faint or fuzzy! The deep-sky views will simply dazzle you.

It's the big Dobsonian you've dreamed of owning, and now you can take it with you wherever dark skies beckon! Get the practical and amazingly affordable Orion Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope and hit the road to astronomical adventure.

With the Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian from Orion, you decide which finder scope, eyepiece, and other accessories come with the telescope. You can choose between magnified achromatic finder scopes, red-dot reflex sights, or more deluxe right-angle correct-image or illuminated crosshair finder scope models to be included with the SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian. You also get to select which telescope eyepiece is included from Orion's wide variety of quality oculars. Choose from low focal length, high magnification 1.25" eyepieces, or go after the bigger picture with a wide-angle 2" eyepiece to view a large swath of sky through the telescope.

Assembled weight (including accessories): 86.5 lbs. Assembled optical tube, 56"L x 14"W, 49.5 lbs. Bottom tube section, 26"L x 14"W, 34.3lbs; top tube section, 8"L x 14"W, 9.6 lbs. Truss poles (8), 22"L x 1"W. Total weight of 4 Truss pole pairs and captive assembly knobs: 5.6lbs. Base, 25"W x 30"H, 34lbs. 12V battery pack included (requires 8 D-cells: not included) to power Cooling Accelerator Fan.

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

WARNING! When using a truss tube Dobsonian telescope for solar observing, always use a Light Shroud and a properly sized solar filter. When you install the Light Shroud make certain there are no gaps between the Shroud and the telescope where direct sunlight can reach the telescope mirror. When a truss tube telescope (equipped with a solar filter but no Light Shroud) is pointing near (not at) the Sun, direct sunlight can hit the mirror and focus on the solar filter or other portions of the telescope. This can lead to eye injury or damage to the telescope. Using a Light Shroud protects your telescope from peripheral sunlight.

Before using any telescope for solar observing, make sure to install all dustcaps or other protective covers on all optical components such as finder scopes to keep sunlight from passing through them. Glancing through an uncovered optical system, even for an instant, can cause permanent eye damage. Always install protective caps on all optical instruments if left out during daylight hours. 

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.

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

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