Is Orion OD150 S De Luxe 150mm f8 Dobsonian Telescope a good telescope?
- Thread starter Louis
- Start date
That's actually a fairly nice Dob, with good optics, a nicer long focal ratio, a crayford focuser and various other little refinements. I'd be strongly tempted by the adjustable brake since that will at least partly address one of the weakness of the Dob format. The fact it is mounted on tube rings is another plus since it means you can put the scope on another mount if you want. In terms of upgrades there isn't really much else worth doing since the focuser and finder (the two common upgrades) are both good already.
However, it also strikes me at very expensive for what it is. For £40 more I can put a similar spec (albeit slightly less refined) Sky-Watcher tube on an EQ3 equatorial mount with goto. Or for less money I can get a manual (but computer upgradable) EQ5 that will take both this scope or a much bigger one. Or if you want to stay with a Dob I see 10" Dobs going for £400.
In summary, yes it's a nice scope but it does seem expensive.
However, it also strikes me at very expensive for what it is. For £40 more I can put a similar spec (albeit slightly less refined) Sky-Watcher tube on an EQ3 equatorial mount with goto. Or for less money I can get a manual (but computer upgradable) EQ5 that will take both this scope or a much bigger one. Or if you want to stay with a Dob I see 10" Dobs going for £400.
In summary, yes it's a nice scope but it does seem expensive.
Just looking at the photograph, I can say this... I don't like that base. It's narrow, there's no lateral bracing shown there, so it looks like it'll tip over easily unless it's on a hard level surface. I don't like the idea that it has a "optional" friction break, since usually this is a standard feature. And finally, I don't like the price. £500 (~$800) for a 6" Newt on a Dobs mount is very high unless it comes with a complete kit... which it does not.
The only complementary thing I can say about it is that it has a very nice looking 2" Crayford focuser. The focuser you get on a scope is very important since you need fine, jitterless control to find objects quickly and get the best views. This focuser is near the top of the line, but it still doesn't justify the price tag.
Here's what I'm talking about... Here is a Meade 8" Newt on a Dobs mount which costs £120 less than that 6" Orion:
http://www.telescopeplanet.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?name=Meade%20Lightbridge%208%22%20%20Deluxe%20Dobsonian%20Telescope&prod_code=PON06A000013
This Meade has a very wide base. It's got a truss structure which you can disassemble for portability with very little difficulty. It's got a 2" Crawford focuser. It's got a friction break. And you get a free pair of Binoculars.
Each component is so small that I could put this thing in the trunk of my '05 RX-8... which is saying something!
The only real downside of this telescope I would say is that it doesn't looke like the top mirror cell section is rotatable, which can make viewing at odd angles uncomfortable for some people.
---
Instead of shopping online, I HIGHLY suggest finding an astronomy club in your area and talking to local astronomers. You'll gain so much valuable knowledge about telescopes, you'll be overwhelmed. But you'll greatly improve your chances of making the right choice when you finally decide to buy.
Good luck, have fun. Backyard astronomy is a great hobby!
The only complementary thing I can say about it is that it has a very nice looking 2" Crayford focuser. The focuser you get on a scope is very important since you need fine, jitterless control to find objects quickly and get the best views. This focuser is near the top of the line, but it still doesn't justify the price tag.
Here's what I'm talking about... Here is a Meade 8" Newt on a Dobs mount which costs £120 less than that 6" Orion:
http://www.telescopeplanet.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?name=Meade%20Lightbridge%208%22%20%20Deluxe%20Dobsonian%20Telescope&prod_code=PON06A000013
This Meade has a very wide base. It's got a truss structure which you can disassemble for portability with very little difficulty. It's got a 2" Crawford focuser. It's got a friction break. And you get a free pair of Binoculars.
Each component is so small that I could put this thing in the trunk of my '05 RX-8... which is saying something!
The only real downside of this telescope I would say is that it doesn't looke like the top mirror cell section is rotatable, which can make viewing at odd angles uncomfortable for some people.
---
Instead of shopping online, I HIGHLY suggest finding an astronomy club in your area and talking to local astronomers. You'll gain so much valuable knowledge about telescopes, you'll be overwhelmed. But you'll greatly improve your chances of making the right choice when you finally decide to buy.
Good luck, have fun. Backyard astronomy is a great hobby!