Orion XT8g Computerized GoTo Dobsonian Telescope

About this product

Orion Dobsonians have always been known for superb optical and mechanical quality, wonderful ease of use, and remarkably affordable prices. One other thing they - and almost all other Dobs on the market - have had in common: you pushed the telescope to your observing target by hand.

Until now. Orion has heralded another giant leap in Dobsonian evolution with the SkyQuest XTg series of fully motor driven GoTo Dobsonians. Now, pointing a Dob to even the most elusive of NGC curiosities is as easy as pushing a button or two on the XTg Dobsonian's illuminated GoTo hand controller. High-torque servo motors guided by two pairs of high-resolution encoders then slew the telescope right to your object of interest - any of over 42,000 objects in the GoTo controller's database. No more nudging the telescope tube continuously to keep the object from drifting out of the field of view, either. The XT8g automatically tracks the object's motion, keeping it centered in the eyepiece while you savor the view. What's more, the closed-loop electronics of the XT8g let you aim the telescope manually - or endure the accidental bump - without losing orientation for accurate, automated GoTo pointing!

The SkyQuest XT8g combines GoTo pointing convenience with excellent portability and an amazingly affordable price. It features a 203mm (8") aperture, 1200mm focal-length parabolic mirror (f/5.9) made from low-thermal-expansion optical glass. Enhanced reflectivity (94%) aluminum mirror coatings yield bright, high-definition images. The 8" primary mirror is center-marked to make precise alignment of the optics (collimation) easier to achieve. The reflector telescope's open mirror cell design facilitates efficient cooling of the mirror to ambient temperature. To cool down the telescope optics even more quickly, the XT8g mirror cell features threaded holes that accept an optional cooling accelerator fan (sold separately).

• Best for viewing

  Brighter deep sky
• Best for imaging

  Lunar & planetary
• User level

  Intermediate
• Optical design

  Reflector
• Optical diameter

  203mm
• Focal length

  1200mm
• Focal ratio

  f/5.9
• Optics type

  Parabolic
• Glass material

  Low thermal expansion borosilicate glass
• Eyepieces

  DeepView 28.0mm (2"),Plossl 12.5mm (1.25")
• Magnification with included eyepieces

  42x, 96x
• Resolving power

  0.57arc*sec
• Lowest useful magnification

  29x
• Highest useful magnification

  300x
• Highest theoretical magnification

  406x
• Limiting stellar magnitude

  14.2
• Optical quality

  Diffraction limited
• Finder scope

  EZ Finder II
• Focuser

  2" dual-speed Crayford
• Secondary mirror obstruction

  47mm
• Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter

  23%
• Secondary mirror obstruction by area

  5%
• Mirror coatings/over-coatings

  Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
• Mount type

  Dobsonian
• Astro-imaging capability

  Simple moon shots
• Motor drive compatibility

  Clock drive included
• Computerized compatibility

  Go-To included
• Alignment procedure

  2-Star Alignment, Brightest Star
• Number of objects in database

  42,000+
• 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

  Eyepiece rack, Collimation cap
• Other features

  Navigation knob, 2" dual-speed Crayford, Full Go-To control
• Warranty

  One year