Orion SkyQuest XT8G GoTo Dobsonian Telescope

Orion SkyQuest XT8G GoTo Dobsonian Telescope Product Description

Orion SkyQuest XT8G GoTo Dobsonian Telescope Product Info Orion Dobsonian telescopes have always been known for superb optical and mechanical quality, wonderful ease of use, and remarkably affordable prices. 1 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. 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 2 on the XTg Dobsonian telescope 39 s illuminated computerized GoTo hand controller. High torque servo motors guided by 2 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 39 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 39 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 39 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 39 ll quickly find that ultra sharp focus point that makes your target object pop with dazzling clarity! The telescope 39 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 2 star alignment procedure is all it takes to orient the telescope to the sky for GoTo operation. Then let the fun begin! When you 39 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 39 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 1 2 and 3 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 1 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 39 re going to love plying the night skies with the SkyQuest XT8g GoTo Dobsonian telescope. The computerized GoTo hand controller 39 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 39 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 1 that offers the convenience of motor driven GoTo pointing to anything in the heavens you 39 d like to see! Make your next telescope the Orion SkyQuest XT8g GoTo Dobsonian!

Features

• Bang for the buck value meets state of the art technology in this 8 fully motor driven GoTo Dobsonian
• Automatically locates and then tracks any of 42,000 celestial objects in the GoTo controller 39 s database
• Big 8 aperture parabolic mirror f/5.9 with enhanced reflectivity coatings for bright, crisp images
• Optical encoders, drive motors, and gears come pre installed on base, making assembly a snap
• Easy setup tube drops into base on dovetail trunnion and secures with a single hand knob
• Includes dual speed 2 Crayford focuser, 28mm 2 DeepView eyepiece, and illuminated crosshair Plossl for precise GoTo alignment
• 1 year limited warranty

Specifications

Use	Astronomy
User Level	Intermediate
Optical Design	Reflector
Optics Diameter	203mm
Focal Length	1200mm
Focal Ratio	f/5.9
Optics Type	Parabolic
Glass Material	Low thermal expansion glass
Eyepieces included	DeepView 28.0mm 2in. , Plossl 12.5mm 1.25in.
Magnification with included eyepieces	42x, 96x
Resolving Power	0.57arc sec
Lowest Useful Magnification	29x
Highest Useful Magnification	300x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude	14.2
Optical Quality	Diffraction limited
Finder scope	EZ Finder II
Focuser	2in. dual speed Crayford
Secondary mirror obstruction	47mm
Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter	23%
Secondary mirror obstruction by area	5%
Mirror coatings/over coatings	Aluminum and Silicon Dioxide
Mount style	Dobsonian
Astro Imaging Capability	Simple moon shots
Motor Drive Capability	Clock drive included
Computerized Capability	Go To included
Alignment procedure	2 Star Alignment, Brightest Star
Number of objects in database	42,900
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	Full Go To control, Eyepiece rack, Collimation cap
Other features	Navigation knob, 2in. dual speed Crayford
Warranty	1 year

Package Contents

• 8 inch aperture Optical Tube Assembly
• Dust cover
• 28mm Deep View eyepiece, 2 inch barrel diameter
• 12.5mm Illuminated Plossl eyepiece, 1.25 inch 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