Here is the aperture we all look for at an affordable price. The Orion Dob has been redesigned, the cast-aluminum cell to provide more ventilation which will reduce cool down time. They have also center marked the mirror for easy collimation. Also improved was their focuser to the new 2″ aluminum rack-and-pinion which will fit both 2″ and 1.25″ eyepieces.

The optics on this Orion telescope are excellent. I have viewed all my favorite deep sky objects on my list and found the 10″ performs very well. The Dumbbell M27 had good detail as did the Ring Nebula M57. You can see the two arms of the Spiral Galaxy quite well.

If viewing the planets is your primary goal, you won’t be disappointed. When viewing Mars I could see dark plains of the valleys and mountains. I could see detail and depth in Jupiter’s 4 cloud bands and Jupiter’s 5 moons shining like bright stars. Saturn and her ring system looked beautiful hanging in the darkness. The Cassini division is clearly visible.

You will get a much better performance if you upgrade your eyepiece as this Orion telescope will handle 27mm and 35mm quite well. You will find the Orion Dobs’ lack the problems of the Meade Dobs’ which have side bearings sticking and other mechanical problems.

Orion has put together a great package with these telescopes at a price that most can afford. The photo you see here does not do the 10″ Dob justice. This Orion telescope weighs around 58 lb. Please keep in mind that the telescope could be hard for some people to carry. Transport is simple as the Dob breaks down into 3 sections.

I have been asked many times which Brand Dobsonian I felt was the best.  I would have to say that Orion would be my first choice with Meade in second place. Meade Dobs seem to be a work in progress whereas Orion seem to have worked out all the problems. As far as the optics are concerned there does not seem to be much difference between them.

Product Description

• Orion telescope aperture – 10″
• f/5
• 8×50 Viewfinder
• Eyepieces – 25mm, 9mm Plossl.

Recommendation

The Dobsonian Orion Telescope is a top scope to buy. You will be more than happy with the views you will get from this scope. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for large aperture at a low price. For the full range of Dobs and other good Orion telescopes go to Catalog City.