Orion 4.5 Newt SkyView Deluxe
Written: Oct 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comes with everything you need to start being an amatuer astronomer
Cons: Could use a 2x barlow.
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| jbettone's Full Review: Orion ShortTube 4.5 EQ Telescope |
This is an excellent choice for a beginner's telescope. Orion packages this scope with everything you will need to go out and start viewing the skies.
Optics
The optics of this scope are pretty good for its price range and provides lots of bright views with plenty of contrast. The back part of the tube is vented to help shorten the cooldown periods on the cold nights. Also, the scope keeps its collimnation fairly well.
The Mount
The mount is Orion's SkyView mount, which works well for a scope of this size. Even at high magnification, the scope was steady and only vibrated for a few seconds when the focuser was touched. Also, a nice touch is the built in Polar Alignment scope, which is used to "align" the scope to celestial north. This will allow you to track objects (since the earth is rotating on its axis, stars move across the telescope's field of view) by using just one of the knobs. One of the more annoying things you'll have to deal with one this scope as well as any Newtonian, is that when you point the scope around the sky, you have to re-adjust the position of the focuser (which means you are constantly loosening the tube rings). It is a small annoyance worth mentioning.
Accessories
The SkyView Deluxe package comes with two of Orion's Sirius Plossl eyepieces (these are their better eyepieces) and a moon filter (which is needed when viewing the moon--it is rather bright). The only thing it is missing is a 2X Barlow (it is extra) which will double the magnification of the eyepieces.
What you can see with this scope
You will be able to see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. The Great Nebula in Orion's Belt shows up with lots of detail. Lunar details are sharp and crisp.
Overall this is a great scope at a great price. Beginners will not be disappointed with this scope. It is light and portable (I keep mine on the mount all the time--just pick it up and go). Views are sharp with lots of contrast. This scope is portable and easy enough to use for the beginning astronomer.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jbettone
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Member: James Bettone
Location: Everett, Washington
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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