Listing Dobsonian Telescopes in Order of Aperture Size
In the world of astronomy, Dobsonian telescopes are renowned for their affordability and performance. Here, we take a look at some of the best-rated 8-inch Dobsonian telescopes currently available, suitable for both beginners and advanced amateurs.
First up, the Apertura AD8 8" Dobsonian Telescope. This model features a high-quality 8-inch parabolic mirror with an aluminum and silicon dioxide coating, delivering bright images. The solid steel optical tube assembly comes with a dual-speed 10:1 Crayford focuser for smooth focusing. The telescope includes an easy-to-use Dobsonian rocker box base, featuring smooth "Lazy Susan" style 360° rotation and sealed ball bearings for altitude adjustment. Accessories like a laser collimator and an eyepiece tray are also included [1].
Another contender is the Astronz 8" Premium Dobsonian Telescope. Equipped with a 200mm primary mirror and a 1200mm focal length, this telescope offers bright, wide-field views of deep-sky objects, planets, and the moon. It uses high-quality GSO optics polished to better than 1/12 wavelength, offering near-theoretical maximum resolution. The simple and robust wooden box-style mount makes it intuitive for manual navigation, making it a favourite among beginners [3].
The Celestron StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian stands out with app-guided navigation to over 40,000 celestial objects via the StarSense smartphone app, ideal for intermediate users. While it is sturdy, its weight of about 44 lbs makes it less portable and not ideal for long exposure astrophotography [5].
For those seeking a more portable option, the Apertura AD8 is available at Explore Scientific for $699. The Apertura AD8 Dobsonian also comes with over $200 worth of accessories and user-friendly adjustments without tools, setting it apart from others in its class [1][3][5].
As for pricing, the Apertura AD8 has a list price of $879. The Sky-Watcher 8 Flextube Collapsible Dobsonian GoTo can be checked on Amazon for its price, as can the Celestron StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian. The Hubble Optics 14" f/4.6 Premium Ultra Light Dobsonian Telescope is available at Hubble Optics for $2195.
Other models like the Apertura AD12, Explore Scientific 16" Truss Tube Dobsonian, and Sky-Watcher 14" Flextube Dobsonian are available, but their prices are yet to be disclosed. Some models, such as the Sky-Watcher 12" FlexTube Dobsonian, are not in stock, only available for backorder.
In conclusion, the Apertura AD8 and Astronz 8" offer solid, no-frills Dobsonian experiences with excellent optics and quality construction, making them suitable for beginners to advanced amateurs. The Celestron StarSense Explorer adds smart app-based navigation, which is very helpful for intermediates but comes with extra weight.
- The Apertura AD8 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope comes with a laser collimator, making it easy for beginners to align and calibrate the optics (collimation).
- The Astronz 8-inch Premium Dobsonian Telescope uses high-quality GSO optics, offering clear views of space-and-astronomy objects, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced amateurs.
- The Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian stands out with app-guided navigation, making it a good choice for intermediate users exploring the field of view of celestial objects.
- For those who prefer a portable telescope, the Apertura AD8 Dobsonian, available at Explore Scientific for $699, comes with user-friendly adjustments and includes over $200 worth of accessories.
- Pricing for other models such as the Apertura AD12, Explore Scientific 16-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian, and Sky-Watcher 14-inch Flextube Dobsonian are yet to be disclosed, while some models like the Sky-Watcher 12-inch FlexTube Dobsonian are only available for backorder, indicating they may be more expensive technology options.
