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Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Dobsonian Reflector Telescope | 
| Brand: Orion
Buy New: $199.95
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 508
Media: Electronics
Resolution Modes: 0.7
Aperature Mode: 100mm-150mm
Maximum Focal Length: 910
Shipping Weight (lbs): 22
MPN: 09804
Model: 9804
UPC: 410000060773
EAN: 0410000060773
ASIN: B0000XMSNO
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | ".... a new standard for the beginner's telescope" -- Sky & Telescope (4/01) | | • | 114mm aperture and 910mm focal length for views of lunar craters, planets, nebulas, and galaxies | | • | Sturdy Dobsonian mount and handy grip knob allow for effortless maneuvering | | • | Includes 2 eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, and FREE Starry Night astronomy software | | • | One-year limited warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Without spending a fortune you can get a telescope that will not only satisfy the kids, but the kid in you! Our SkyQuest XT4.5 is a quality telescope, with point-and-view simplicity that makes it easy to use and makes stargazing fun! The optical performance is far and away better than flimsy department store models. Its 4.5" (114mm) mirror, housed in an enameled steel tube, gathers 260% more starlight than a 60mm refractor. More light means you can see a lot more celestial objects in greater detail. In a review of low-cost beginner telescopes, Sky and Telescope (12/05) proclaimed the XT4.5 "The best of the bunch - a solid combination of optics and mechanics." Try it and see for yourself!
Amazon.com Review
Orion's Skyquest XT4.5 is the smallest in their Dobsonian line of telescopes that includes the B00020WZB0 XT6 , XT8 , and XT10. Newcomers to the hobby are always surprised at how large amateur telescopes are, but to experienced observers, this XT4.5 is considered a very small scope. Tiny, in fact (It's so small, astronomers are buying them just because they think they're so cute). Make no mistake, though--the XT4.5 is a full-fledged telescope, and is a serious observing tool that could last you for years. Your money buys you a lot in this case. Included are a good-quality 4.5" f/8 primary mirror, two eyepieces, a finder, and a CD-ROM with a stripped-down version of The Sky, a software guide to the sky. The scope comes in two cartons. One contains the optical tube, and the other is a flat-packed box containing the base, which you assemble yourself. Orion includes all the hardware and tools you need, and the instructions are well written. Allocate about 30 minutes to assemble and align everything.  | See a detailed view of
the XT4.5's features | There are a couple of cost-cutting measures. The primary mirror is spherical, not parabolic (this is not likely to affect the views, however). Also, the focuser is plastic. While I've never seen one break, plastic focusers are by nature less robust than metal ones. Finally (and this may be the most serious concern of all), the scope is a little short for an adult. The eyepiece is only 3 feet off the ground, which may force you to stoop over (hint: try sitting on a short chair or stool while observing). On the other hand, the height is ideal for a child, and as a result, I heartily recommend this telescope for children. Under the stars, the XT4.5 exhibits excellent performance. Once properly collimated (aligned), the optics give clear, sharp, contrasty views. I've spent enjoyable nights using these telescopes, both as a teaching tool and by myself. Jupiter's cloud band and four moons are no problem to see, nor are Saturn's rings. The Orion Nebula is a glowing fan of green gas, with a quartet of tiny stars at its core. Under dark skies (and with some diligence) the XT4.5 can even pull in some of the fainter deep sky objects, like the brighter galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Despite the fact that I have a garage full of expensive telescopes, I never feel compromised with any of Orion's XT scopes. As recently as a few years ago, the old adage regarding telescopes was that you must spend at least $300 to avoid buying junk. While this is still mostly true, Orion's little XT4.5 breaks the price barrier in a big way. As long as you can deal with the short eyepiece height, it's a great starter scope. Pros: - Very good optical and mechanical performance
- Fully accessorized
- Great value
Cons - Short eyepiece height
- Plastic focuser
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Perfect Beginner Scope! August 16, 2004
RapidEye (North Carolina)
62 out of 62 found this review helpful
After trying and becoming frustrated with department store telescopes, I spent a lot of time researching on the internet to find a scope that both fit my needs as a beginner and fit my budget. No matter how I looked at it, this scope kept coming out at the top of the list.
I've been using it for over a month now and have not been disappointed in any way! It is ultra-portable, gives great views, and took a rank amateur (me) less than an hour to assemble and align the optics, thanks to a very good instruction manual.
The small size is a plus for me. I keep it fully assembled sitting in the guest bedroom and pick it up and easily carry it out to the yard in one piece. I just lay out a blanket and sit on the lawn and observe - no need for setup, fancy chairs, or tables. The eyepiece is at the perfect height for my 4yr old daughter to look through (she has already gotten a few glimpses of the moon) so it will be a great tool for us to share. When she is a little bit bigger she will easily be able to handle this scope by herself.
A bigger scope will give better/more powerful views, but if you are on a tight budget, want something simple and rugged, or want a very portable scope, this is your ticket!
After your first view of Jupiter (and its cloud bands and moons) you won't regret this purchase.
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Update 1 year later!
I just re-read this review I put up, and can't reiterate it enough - This is a great little beginner scope!
Last fall I bought one of the books I recommended with this scope, "StarWatch" by Phil Harrington. Just last week, I completed the seasonal sky windows in the book - allowing me to see all 110 Messier DSO's all using this little 4.5" scope!
If a goofball like me can figure out how to use this scope and can use "StarWatch" to log all the Messier's in about a year - you can too! Its a great combo!!!
Great all-around starter scope December 11, 2003
Aaron Lambert (Lehi, UT United States)
42 out of 42 found this review helpful
I purchased this scope almost a year ago as my first scope and love it. It is easy to use and easily portable. At < 20 lbs it is easily carried in one hand using the handle. It gives good views of the moon and planets, particularly if you add a Barlow lense to double the power of the provided eyepieces, but is also big enough (at 4.5") to begin to show the beauty of the deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, etc). I have viewed most of the Messier deep-sky list already. Because it is not on a tripod, it is also easy for kids to view through the eyepiece because they do not need to get on a step ladder. Now that I am sure that I will really be into astronomy as a hobby, I am ready to move on to a larger telescope, but I will keep this one and give it to my kids so they can start to enjoy the night sky.
A very serious, professional little Dobsonian scope! December 14, 2004
CQ DX (Ohio, USA)
34 out of 34 found this review helpful
This is, quite simply, one of the best buys in smaller, portable Dobsonian Newtonian Reflector scopes today. Usually, the two terms (portable and Dobsonian) are mutually exclusive, but the 4.5 weighs in at only around 22 pounds, which makes it quite portable, and a pleasure to operate and turn and point with its Dobsonian base. I have owned the XT4.5 and the XT8. Both phenomenal pieces of gear. Both capable of deep sky views. Having used both, I can assure you that the 4.5 is capable of clear views up to around 200x. It was even able to handle the increased magnification of a Barlow Lens and high power eyepiece, for utterly stunning close up views of the lunar surface on a really clear night! Saturn's rings and the 'Cassini Division' was easily discernable as well. Of course it won't rival the views of the larger Dobsonians, but the 4.5 holds its own as a real, well crafted, quality telescope. An adult will have to bend down a bit for viewing, but I solved that challenge by simply putting the scope on a milk crate, or using a small, portable folding gardeners chair, which is low to the ground. No big whoop. All in all, a GREAT tool for viewing the heavens for your kids AND adults!
"More than just a first telescope" October 9, 2005
D. Sietsema (Grand Rapids, MI United States)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
I've had the xt4.5 for a year now, and even though I have since purchased the xt10, I still use the xt4.5 more frequently because you can just pick it up w/ one hand, carry it outside, and begin scanning the sky. Even though a 4.5 inch primary mirror is small for a dobsonian telescope, this is a serious piece of equipment for the money. This is no cheap "department store junk" scope.
Perfect for a quick observing session, or just to check the quality of "seeing" before you drag out the "big one".
One of my nephews who has looked through this scope asked me what I was going to do w/ the little 4.5 now that I have a bigger xt10. Looks like I'll have to buy him one of his own because I'm not parting w/ mine.
Excellent for beginners, fine for many experienced users January 6, 2007
Doug Rice (Twin Falls, ID USA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is a great scope for beginning astronomy--and beyond. It is sturdy and simple to operate. It has enough light-gathering power (more important than magnification) to reveal dim star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies and good enough optics to show you the surface of planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Affordable as this scope is, there is no reason to give so much as a glance at the trashy 60mm refractors with exaggerated magnification claims that litter the market.
Some advice on selection. Dobsonians come in a range of sizes; the bigger the instrument, the more you will see. A long-focus 114mm (4 ") like this one is a fine instrument, especially for children and others whose ability to carry large objects is limited. A teen or able-bodied adult should consider going up to a 150-200mm (6-8") scope. Bigger Dobsonians (250-300mm and above) are too heavy and bulky for some people.
Some advice on use. Viewing through a telescope is less like playing a CD and more like playing a guitar. Finding objects takes a little bit of practice. To simplify it, I would suggest supplementing the finder supplied with this scope with a "red-dot" finder to aid in initial pointing. You will also need to buy a star atlas (Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is the best available), a red flashlight to read it without blowing out your badly-needed night vision, and a guidebook to lead you to interesting objects. These investments will greatly add to your enjoyment.
What more can I say? This is the kind of scope that experienced observers have been trying to steer novices towards for decades. Although, I recommend that you do your homework before buying any scope--learn the sky and get to know experienced stargazers who can advise you--when it comes time to purchase, this scope is a fine choice.
For more advice, see my encyclopedic guide here on Amazon, "So you want to buy a telescope."
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