Orion SkyQuest XT4.5, Classic 4.5" Dobsonian Telescope Kit, Review

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!!!



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Digital Camera Labels: Orion SkyQuest XT4.5,Classic 4.5&quot,Dobsonian Telescope Kit,with Eyepieces,Focuser,Finder &amp,Software,Orion