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Product Manuals & Video
Free Starry Night Software
Free Lifetime Tech Support
Free Standard Shipping
Why Choose A Build-A-Scope Dobsonian Telescope?
If you're just starting out in the hobby, our standard Dobsonian configurations (either Classic or IntelliScope) may meet your needs and are available for fastest shipping. But, if you want the telescope that you've always wanted, customized the way you'd like it — then an Orion Build-A-Scope is for you!
It's easy to Build-A-Scope and save money, so get started building that dream telescope now!
PLEASE NOTE: If you leave this page before adding your configured Build-A-Scope to your shopping cart, the details of your configuration will not be saved. In addition, if you add a Build-A-Scope to your wish list, the components you have chosen will not be included on your wish list. To save a configuration, add all items to your cart using the button above. Your configured Build-A-Scope will be saved in your shopping cart for 30 days. You will then be able to return to your configuration by visiting your shopping cart and clicking on the Build-A-Scope product title.
Once we receive your order, we will build your telescope! That takes a little more time to ship than a standard order. In-stock orders placed by 12:00 noon Pacific Time will ship 2-3 business days after your order is placed. The expected shipping date for your customized Build-A-Scope will update to reflect the availability of the components you choose and the time needed to build your telescope. Before you know it, you will have your very own customized Classic Dobsonian to show off to your friends!
A powerful and capable telescope, the Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian is based on one of our most popular reflectors due to its elegant combination of precision optics, mechanical simplicity, and rock-solid stability. You and your whole family will appreciate the bright, clear views of the night sky provided by the 8" Classic. The Moon and planets of our solar system like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars shine brightly in the Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope, allowing you to inspect them in detail. Its 8" aperture is also large enough to gather a significant amount of light from more distant celestial objects for great views of sparkling star clusters, cloudy nebulas, and faraway galaxies. The Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope is a tremendous value considering the high quality views it provides on such a wide variety of celestial objects. The point-and-view simplicity of the Dobsonian design is not as complicated as an equatorial (EQ) mount and tripod, so with a little practice, your whole family can scan the heavens just like experienced hobbyists. For any astronomer seeking serious adventure, the Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian has it all!
The Orion Build-A-Scope XT8 Classic Dobsonian is built around an 8" (203mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror mounted in a cast-aluminum support cell. The mirror collects 78% more light than a 6" mirror, so you get a significant increase in ability to observe dust lanes in nebulas, resolve the cores of prominent globular star clusters, and to reveal some of the more subtle structures in faint galaxies. The 1200mm focal length (f/5.9) XT8 mirror allows you to obtain clear and crisp views at moderate to high magnifications on clear nights with good seeing conditions. Enhanced-reflectivity mirror coatings boost the 8" mirror to 94% reflectivity so as much light as possible is transmitted to the eyepiece.
The Dobsonian base of the Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope provides a simple and stable low-profile altazimuth platform for the 8" aperture optical tube. The tube attaches securely to the base by virtue of Orion's CorrecTension Friction Optimization system, which utilizes heavy-duty springs to both securely couple the tube to the base, and to keep the telescope in constant balance to avoid drifting during observations. Even with large 2" eyepieces and accessories installed, the Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope will remain balanced throughout your viewing sessions.
The Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope can conveniently be separated into two pieces for easy transport and storage. By unhooking the two CorrecTension springs from the Dobsonian base you can detach the 46.5" long optical tube. The 8" optical tube weighs 20.3 lbs., while the 19" diameter Dobsonian base tips the scales at 20.7 lbs. With an assembled weight of 41 lbs., the Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian can be easily moved to and from your favorite observing site, whether it's just a few steps out the back door, or many miles down the road.
With the Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian from Orion, you decide which finder scope, focuser, and eyepiece comes with the telescope. You can choose between magnified achromatic finder scopes, red-dot reflex sights, or more deluxe right-angle correct-image or illuminated crosshair finder scope models to be included with the SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian. Next, select which focuser you want to be included with the telescope, choosing between smooth-adjusting Crayford designs with or without dual-speed fine focus control. You also get to select which telescope eyepiece is included from Orion's wide selection of quality oculars. Choose from low focal length, high magnification eyepieces, or go after the bigger picture with a wide-angle eyepiece to view a large swath of sky through the telescope.
A great telescope with the optical strength to please serious beginners and veteran skygazers alike, the Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope will provide years of astronomical adventure for you and your whole family.
Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).
Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-447-1001.
Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.
Beginner Level - Suited for a wide range of uses, these products are simple to operate and set up. Some initial assembly may be required depending on the type of product. Optical instruments with this rating will have very good optical and mechanical quality. Great for families, young people, and folks who don't want to mess with equipment and complexity. Beginning level telescopes will show you countless lunar craters, Saturn's rings and a myriad of star clusters and nebulae! Referring to the manual is recommended.
Intermediate Level - These products offer higher performance and more advanced features than Level 1: Beginner models. They typically take a bit longer to learn and need some set-up or adjustments. But anyone with the slightest technical bent will have no problem getting familiar with these models. Referring to the manual is recommended.
Advanced Level - These products provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. Optical instruments with this rating have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but might be on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These products will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.
For telescopes, the optical diameter (also known as aperture) is the size of a telescope's main light-collecting lens or primary mirror, measured in millimeters or inches. Telescopes with larger optical diameters collect more light, which leads to an increase in brightness and image resolution compared to smaller instruments.
For binoculars, the optical diameter (also known as objective lens diameter) is the size of each of the front-facing objective lenses of a binocular measured in millimeters. Binoculars with larger objective lenses collect more light, which increases image resolution and brightness. Binoculars with larger objective lenses are recommended for low light situations, and binoculars with at least 50mm or larger objective lenses are recommended for pleasing astronomical observations at night.
8" Aperture Reflector Telescope Optical Tube Assembly Collimation cap Dust cap 2"-to-1.25" eyepiece adapter Spring coils Pull loops Nylon spacers 1/4" washers Phillips-head screws Screws with round knob attached Left panel Right panel Front brace Top base plate Ground base plate Base assembly screws Hex key Plastic feet Feet attachment wood screws Self-adhesive rubber bumper Large hex-head bolt 3/8" washers 3/8" lock nut Nylon spacer T-nut Handle Socket-head cap screws 5/16" washers 5/16" nuts Hex key Starry Night special edition software
And of course, the focuser, finder scope, eyepieces, and other accessories you choose!
Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.
A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.
Standard Delivery: $0.00Standard Delivery to Canada: $40.003 Day Delivery: $197.002 Day Delivery: $197.00Next Day Delivery: $243.00
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT
This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states and US territories/protectorates address. Delivery is not available to APO/DPO/FPO addresses . Delivery is available to Canada.
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