Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

by Orion

Product Details

Product Manual [678kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 22 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 22 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0000XMSNO
• Item model number: 9804
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #851 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #3 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Reflectors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 1, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review Orion’s Skyquest XT4.5 is the smallest in their Dobsonian line of telescopes that includes the B00020WZB0 XT6 , XT8 , and XT10. Newcomers to the hobby are always surprised at how large amateur telescopes are, but to experienced observers, this XT4.5 is considered a very small scope. Tiny, in fact (It’s so small, astronomers are buying them just because they think they're so cute). Make no mistake, though--the XT4.5 is a full-fledged telescope, and is a serious observing tool that could last you for years.

Your money buys you a lot in this case. Included are a good-quality 4.5" f/8 primary mirror, two eyepieces, a finder, and a CD-ROM with a stripped-down version of The Sky, a software guide to the sky. The scope comes in two cartons. One contains the optical tube, and the other is a flat-packed box containing the base, which you assemble yourself. Orion includes all the hardware and tools you need, and the instructions are well written. Allocate about 30 minutes to assemble and align everything.

See a detailed view of the XT4.5's features

There are a couple of cost-cutting measures. The primary mirror is spherical, not parabolic (this is not likely to affect the views, however). Also, the focuser is plastic. While I’ve never seen one break, plastic focusers are by nature less robust than metal ones. Finally (and this may be the most serious concern of all), the scope is a little short for an adult. The eyepiece is only 3 feet off the ground, which may force you to stoop over (hint: try sitting on a short chair or stool while observing). On the other hand, the height is ideal for a child, and as a result, I heartily recommend this telescope for children.

Under the stars, the XT4.5 exhibits excellent performance. Once properly collimated (aligned), the optics give clear, sharp, contrasty views. I’ve spent enjoyable nights using these telescopes, both as a teaching tool and by myself. Jupiter’s cloud band and four moons are no problem to see, nor are Saturn’s rings. The Orion Nebula is a glowing fan of green gas, with a quartet of tiny stars at its core. Under dark skies (and with some diligence) the XT4.5 can even pull in some of the fainter deep sky objects, like the brighter galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.

Despite the fact that I have a garage full of expensive telescopes, I never feel compromised with any of Orion’s XT scopes. As recently as a few years ago, the old adage regarding telescopes was that you must spend at least $300 to avoid buying junk. While this is still mostly true, Orion’s little XT4.5 breaks the price barrier in a big way. As long as you can deal with the short eyepiece height, it’s a great starter scope.

Pros:

• Very good optical and mechanical performance
• Fully accessorized
• Great value

Cons

• Short eyepiece height
• Plastic focuser

Product Description

Without spending a fortune you can get a telescope that will not only satisfy the kids, but the kid in you! Our SkyQuest XT4.5 is a quality telescope, with point-and-view simplicity that makes it easy to use and makes stargazing fun! The optical performance is far and away better than flimsy department store models. Its 4.5" (114mm) mirror, housed in an enameled steel tube, gathers 260% more starlight than a 60mm refractor. More light means you can see a lot more celestial objects in greater detail. In a review of low-cost beginner telescopes, Sky and Telescope (12/05) proclaimed the XT4.5 "The best of the bunch - a solid combination of optics and mechanics." Try it and see for yourself!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

147 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Beginner Scope!, August 16, 2004

By 

RapidEye (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope (Electronics)

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!!!

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very serious, professional little Dobsonian scope!, December 14, 2004

By 

CQ DX (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope (Electronics)

This is, quite simply, one of the best buys in smaller, portable Dobsonian Newtonian Reflector scopes today. Usually, the two terms (portable and Dobsonian) are mutually exclusive, but the 4.5 weighs in at only around 22 pounds, which makes it quite portable, and a pleasure to operate and turn and point with its Dobsonian base. I have owned the XT4.5 and the XT8. Both phenomenal pieces of gear. Both capable of deep sky views. Having used both, I can assure you that the 4.5 is capable of clear views up to around 200x. It was even able to handle the increased magnification of a Barlow Lens and high power eyepiece, for utterly stunning close up views of the lunar surface on a really clear night! Saturn's rings and the 'Cassini Division' was easily discernable as well. Of course it won't rival the views of the larger Dobsonians, but the 4.5 holds its own as a real, well crafted, quality telescope. An adult will have to bend down a bit for viewing, but I solved that challenge by simply putting the scope on a milk crate, or using a small, portable folding gardeners chair, which is low to the ground. No big whoop. All in all, a GREAT tool for viewing the heavens for your kids AND adults!

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great all-around starter scope, December 11, 2003

By 

Aaron Lambert (Lehi, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope (Electronics)

I purchased this scope almost a year ago as my first scope and love it. It is easy to use and easily portable. At < 20 lbs it is easily carried in one hand using the handle. It gives good views of the moon and planets, particularly if you add a Barlow lense to double the power of the provided eyepieces, but is also big enough (at 4.5") to begin to show the beauty of the deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, etc). I have viewed most of the Messier deep-sky list already. Because it is not on a tripod, it is also easy for kids to view through the eyepiece because they do not need to get on a step ladder. Now that I am sure that I will really be into astronomy as a hobby, I am ready to move on to a larger telescope, but I will keep this one and give it to my kids so they can start to enjoy the night sky.