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Orion Observer 80mm EQ Refractor assembled, with Moon Map 260 shown
  • Orion Observer 80mm EQ Refractor assembled, with Moon Map 260 shown
  • Close up of the Orion Observer 80mm EQ Refractor, showing the mount, telescope, red dot finder, diagonal, and one included eyepiece
  • Orion Observer close up, assembled and with the telescope facing to the right
Observer 80EQ Refractor Telescope

Observer 80EQ Refractor Telescope

$79.95 $159.95

Exp Delivery : Thu, 12 Nov

Free shipping on orders to the contiguous U.S.

In Stock

Essential Accessories

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Product Details

Since 1975

Free Shipping Site-Wide

2-Year Warranty


Expert Support

The Observer 80EQ Refractor At a Glance

  • 80 mm multi-coated doublet refractor is great for viewing a plethora of celestial sights
  • Adjustable aluminum tripod provides a steady foundation for the mount and telescope
  • The red dot finder is great for locating and tracking targets
  • Comes with a classic German equatorial mount with slow-motion controls for smooth manual tracking of the night sky
  • Includes two 1.25″ Kellner eyepieces (25 mm and 10 mm) for different magnifications.
  • A 90° mirror star diagonal provides a comfortable viewing experience

Learn More About the Observer 80EQ Refractor

Is the Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor Right for You?

The Observer 80EQ Refractor is a great starter telescope designed for aspiring astronomers and night sky enthusiasts who want a powerful system with a smooth equatorial mount. Featuring a large optical tube with an 80 mm aperture, this telescope provides sharp views of our Moon, as well as brighter deep-sky targets and star clusters. This refractor is not designed for astrophotography, although the EQ-1B mount does allow for accurate manual tracking of the night sky. So, with a simple smartphone adapter (sold separately), you can easily capture quick photos and videos of your observations. It's not designed to observe dim deep-sky targets under light-polluted skies, and the 400 mm focal length does not provide enough magnification to resolve much surface detail of the planets.

What You'll See and Why It Works.

The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor comes complete with a classic equatorial mount with two slow-motion controls and a lightweight aluminum tripod with an eyepiece accessory tray. The kit includes two Kellner eyepieces (25 mm and 10 mm), which are well-suited for exploring bright, wide-field targets, such as the Orion Nebula (M42), while also delivering striking views of the lunar surface. The 90° mirror star diagonal delivers comfortable views, and the red dot finder makes it easy to locate targets. A copy of the MoonMap 260 is included to help identify lunar features.

What You Should Know Before You Buy

Is the Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor good for beginners?

Yes. The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor is an excellent telescope for beginners because it is simple, portable, and comes with everything needed to start exploring right out of the box.

Does the Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor find objects automatically?

No. The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor is fully manual. You point it yourself using the equatorial mount and red-dot finder.

Can I take pictures with it?

Yes! However, you will need a smartphone adapter, which will let you take quick photos or videos of the Moon and bright planets. The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor is not designed for serious long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography, although the EQ mount does allow for accurate manual tracking of the night sky.

What comes with the telescope?

The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor includes a 25 mm and 10 mm 1.25" Kellner eyepiece, a mirror star diagonal, a red dot finder scope, a robust classic EQ mount, and an adjustable aluminum tripod. A copy of the MoonMap 260 is included to help identify lunar features.

Is it portable?

The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor is a durable telescope designed for those looking to learn more about advanced observation techniques. While it is relatively portable, the classic EQ mount includes a counterweight, stainless steel tripod, and an equatorial mount head crafted with steel components. It's a great backyard setup, and can be easily disassembled for transport to remote observing sites.

What should I buy with it first?

The most useful first upgrades are a 2x Barlow lens, a higher-power eyepiece, a Moon filter, and a smartphone adapter.

What’s Included and What to Add Later

  • 80 mm Refractor OTA: The main telescope
  • 25 mm Kellner Eyepiece, 1.25": A Starter eyepiece that provides 16x magnification
  • 10 mm Kellner Eyepiece, 1.25": A Starter eyepiece that provides 40x magnification
  • Red Dot Finder Scope: Which helps you aim the telescope
  • 90° Diagonal, 1.25": Which provide a comfortable viewing experience
  • Adjustable Aluminum Tripod: Which provides a steady foundation for the mount head and telescope
  • Classic Equatorial Mount Head: For accurate manual tracking of objects across the night sky
  • Slow-motion control cables (x2): Which control the motions of the mount head
  • Counterweight & Counterweight Shaft: To help balance the OTA on the EQ mount
  • MoonMap 260: A water resistant map to help identify lunar features.

A great accessory upgrade for this kit is a 2x Barlow lens, which doubles the magnification of your eyepieces, giving you more viewing options. Other popular accessories, such as a Moon filter and a smartphone adapter, will also provide additional viewing options. Another great accessory to add to your kit is a red LED flashlight, as it will help preserve your natural night vision.
2x 1.25" Shorty Barlow Lens

2x 1.25" Shorty Barlow

$34.95
View Product
Quarter side profile of an Orion SteadyPix EZ Smartphone Telescope Adapter faced to the right.

SteadyPix EZ Smartphone Adapter

$79.95
View Product
E-Series 1.25" Moon Filter side profile

1.25" Moon Filter

$8.95
View Product

Setup, Care, and Support

The Observer 80 mm EQ Refractor mount will require basic assembly. Refractor telescopes require minimal maintenance; however, you may need to occasionally remove dust and debris from the external and optical surfaces. Before wiping the optical surfaces with a microfiber cloth and specialized optical cleaning solution, be sure to carefully remove dust or debris with a soft-bristle lens brush or lens blower.

Key Specifications

SKU 10273
Model Number Orion Observer EQ Refractor
Telescope Optical Design Refractor
Telescope Aperture 80 mm
Telescope Focal Ratio f/5
Telescope Focal Length 400 mm
Number of Refractor Elements Doublet (2)
Lowest Useful Magnification 11x
Highest Useful Magnification 160x
Focuser Design Rack & Pinion
Focuser Size 1.25"
Focuser Speed Single Speed
Mount Electronics Manual
Optical Tube Assembly Material Aluminum
Telescope OTA Weight 2 lbs.
Mount Weight 4.8 lbs.
Total Weight 11 lbs.
Warranty Orion StarGuard 2-Year Warranty

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