Telescope Finder Bracket
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Orion SkyView Pro 8 EQ Reflector Telescope with FREE Drive
List Price:  |
DescriptionPrepare to be amazed with our newly designed SkyView Pro 8 EQ reflector. It's got a full 8" (203mm) parabolic primary mirror, which gathers 73% more light than a 6". Observe the Messier Catalog and a host of other deep-sky objects with the reach of this scope! And if you're into the Moon and planets, SkyView Pro 8's 1000mm focal length (f/5) gives you the appropriate image scale to resolve the finest detail. The tube features a 2" aluminum rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1.25" insert, which affords a limitless choice of optional 1.25" and 2" eyepieces (two 1.25" Sirius Plossl eyepieces are included). The secondary mirror is securely mounted in a sturdy 4-vane holder. An 8x40 finder scope on a quick-release bracket helps you locate your targets. The stalwart SkyView Pro EQ mount features enclosed 360-deg worm gears, dual manual slow-motion controls, and steel tube tripod legs for excellent stability. One-year limited warranty. Features
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Orion telescope decision?
I am purchasing my first telescope and all my research has boiled down to this:
Orion XT6i
9x50 Orion Illuminated Finder Scope with Bracket
27mm Orion Edge-On Flat Field Eyepiece
9mm Orion Edge On Planetary Eyepiece
Or, I could get an XT8i but I would have to downgrade to a 8x40 finder scope, and would only be able to get one premium eyepiece (meaning the other would have to be a starter plossl)
Basically:
Which would you choose and why?
If you own one of these, what are your thoughts on it?
Also, could anyone give me their opinion of the included Starry night software?
Would the premium eyepieces really make a difference to a beginner like me?
If you say the XT8i, what combination of eyepieces would you choose? (keeping my limitations in mind)
Also, please keep in mind that I won't be able to upgrade for a while, so whatever I get now I am stuck with.
Thanks everyone
sorry, forget to mention one more thing:
what is so important about the f ratio of a telescope?
Well, ..., frankly I'd choose the XT8i with the down graded finder scope. You can always upgrade that later. First both are great scopes but the extra 2" of aperture on the 8" scope equates to ~72% more light gathering capability over the 6" scope. Which means you'll be able to observe more objects with less magnification. Remember, in visual astronomy, "Aperture is King". So go with the XT8i
Now several people in my club own Starry Night and Love it. Geoff, the lead commentator on this forum, works for Starry Night and I'm sure he'll vouch for it. I personally use another product "Sky Map Pro" and it works very well for my needs. You can also download Stellarium for free (www.Stellarium.org) and interface that with your intelliscope as well.
As far as eyepieces go I believe you'll receive a 10mm and 26mm plossl eyepieces with the intelliscope. for now you should work with those before you buy any more eyepieces. The 26mm and 10mm eyepieces will give you 1200mm/26mm = ~46x and 1200mm/10mm = 120x magnifications. With an 8"aperture that more than enough to view many deep sky objects. You might, however, consider a 2x Barlow lens and a 1.25" lunar filter The 2x Barlow will take your two eyepieces and double your magnifications to ~92x and 220x respectively. So it's like getting getting two extra eyepiece for the price of 1. Also, the Lunar filter is a must for viewing the moon. You really should get anymore eyepieces though until you're well acquainted with your scope and you have identified your need for a better set of eyepieces. You'll find that most of the time you'll stay within the 46x - 120x magnification range as the weather in most places will not support better than 120x magnification. Personally, I rarely ever go over ~96x as my scope has enough aperture handle the deep sky faint and fuzzies.
also, this is where belonging to your local astronomy club comes in handy. The club members will be more than happy to share information such as observing tips, eyepiece reviews, and all kinds of stories to nurture your passion for astronomy.
Best of luck with your scope choice. You selected a good family of scopes to work with and I have you'll be very happy with your selection.
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 Celestron Telescope 5x24 Crosshair FINDER AND BRACKET New  US $6.95
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 Meade Telescope Red Dot Finder Dovetail Bracket NEW Great Replacement Part US $15.99
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LVF32 Swi-View 3" CARRY SPEED LCD VIEW FINDER 3:2 FITS T2i 60D LCDVF Z-FINDER
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DescriptionCARRY SPEED Vfinder spontaneously turns your video enabled DSLR camera LCD screen into a huge electronic viewfinder for precise image evaluation LVF-32 fits DSLR cameras like Canon T2i, 60D and many others. (Vfinder is great for shooting outdoors too!) Features
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Celestron 21024-A FirstScope Telescope with Accessory Kit
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DescriptionCelestron First Scope 21024 Kit - Celestron FirstScope Reflector Telescope 21024 76mm and Accessory Set 21024-ACC Features
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Celestron Star Pointer Finderscope 51630
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DescriptionCelestron Star Pointer Finderscope 51630 Features
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Orion SkyView Pro 8 EQ Reflector Telescope with FREE Drive
List Price: |
DescriptionPrepare to be amazed with our newly designed SkyView Pro 8 EQ reflector. It's got a full 8" (203mm) parabolic primary mirror, which gathers 73% more light than a 6". Observe the Messier Catalog and a host of other deep-sky objects with the reach of this scope! And if you're into the Moon and planets, SkyView Pro 8's 1000mm focal length (f/5) gives you the appropriate image scale to resolve the finest detail. The tube features a 2" aluminum rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1.25" insert, which affords a limitless choice of optional 1.25" and 2" eyepieces (two 1.25" Sirius Plossl eyepieces are included). The secondary mirror is securely mounted in a sturdy 4-vane holder. An 8x40 finder scope on a quick-release bracket helps you locate your targets. The stalwart SkyView Pro EQ mount features enclosed 360-deg worm gears, dual manual slow-motion controls, and steel tube tripod legs for excellent stability. One-year limited warranty. Features
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Orion Deluxe Case for 80mm ED Refractor Telescope
List Price: |
DescriptionA special telescope like our ED80 deserves a special case. This sturdy wood-panel case has a black, water-resistant PVC skin. Aluminum edge rails and corner reinforcements ensure long-lasting durability. The custom foam interior fits the ED80 like a glove, even with a 2" diagonal attached. Also holds up to three 1.25" eyepieces and a 6x30 finder scope with bracket. Twin latches and a carrying handle round out the feature set. External dimensions: 31" x 8-3/4" x 9". Features
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Orion SkyView Pro 8 EQ Reflector Telescope
List Price: |
DescriptionPrepare to be amazed with our SkyView Pro 8 EQ reflector. It's got a full 8" (203mm) parabolic primary mirror, which gathers 73% more light than a 6". Observe the Messier Catalog and a host of other deep-sky objects with the reach of this scope! And if you're into the Moon and planets, SkyView Pro 8's 1000mm focal length (f/5) gives you the appropriate image scale to resolve the finest detail. The tube features a 2" aluminum rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1.25" insert, which affords a limitless choice of optional 1.25" and 2" eyepieces (two 1.25" Sirius Plossl eyepieces are included). The secondary mirror is securely mounted in a sturdy 4-vane holder. An 8x40 finder scope on a quick-release bracket helps you locate your targets. The stalwart SkyView Pro EQ mount features enclosed 360-deg worm gears, dual manual slow-motion controls, and steel tube tripod legs for excellent stability. One-year limited warranty. Features
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8x40 Illuminated Finder Scope (no bracket)
Sale Price: $49.99 |
DescriptionThe crosshairs in standard finder scopes are difficult to see in the dark, which makes centering an object something of a guessing game. Well, we saw the light, and we now offer finder scopes with illuminated crosshairs. An adjustable-intensity red LED in the illuminator arm lights an etched-glass double crosshair reticle, making it as easy as target practice to center your viewing or photo subject or guide star. Centering an object precisely on the finder scope's crosshairs will ensure that it appears in your main scope's eyepiece or on your camera's CCD chip, exactly where you want it. Features
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Black 6x30 Right-Angle Correct-Image Finder
Sale Price: $59.99 |
DescriptionSometimes looking through a straight finder scope can be a strain, making you crouch down and crane your neck. Well, you can call off the chiropractors because our right-angle finder scopes let you view in contortion-free comfort! What's more, they have a built-in Amici prism to provide a correctly oriented view - not upside-down as with standard finders. These achromatic, crosshair finders feature fully coated glass lenses, internal baffling, and focus adjustment. Each includes an aluminum bracket with two perpendicular thumbscrews for easy alignment. Dovetail foot fits many Orion telescopes (see list). Dovetail base (#7214) can be purchased for custom installations. Prism and eyepiece are not removable. Features
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