The Best Dobsonian Telescope For 2024

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Dobsonian Telescope
Best Dobsonian Telescope

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

The SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope comes equipped with a rack-and-pinion focuser that measures 1.25" and is lined with PTFE. This focuser can accommodate any eyepiece or accessory that measures 1.25" from Orion. Read Review

2. Best For Price: Celestron – 76mm Cometron FirstScope

Because of its lightweight and compact design, FirstScope is the ideal accessory to bring along with you on your next outdoor excursion. Additionally, it has an elegant design that makes it suitable as a decorative element on your desk or bookcase. Read Review

3. Best Portable: Zhumell – 10-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

Featuring a user-friendly design, this telescope makes it easy to find your way across the stars and galaxies. With its large aperture of 10 inches and its overall light-gathering power, you can easily observe distant objects from Earth. Read Review

4. Best Design: Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian Telescope

Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian Telescope offers a bright and bold viewing experience at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs. With its large aperture, you can easily explore the night sky's wonders. Read Review

5. Best Efficient: Sarblue Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

This telescope utilizes a Maksutov-Cassegrain mechanism and has a tube that is remarkably small in size. Because it is both lightweight and portable, it is an excellent option for travel, and you may use it to observe the night sky while you are away. Read Review

The Dobsonian telescope is one of the most popular and sought-after types available in today's market. It is ideal for amateur astronomers and hobbyists looking to explore the night sky without breaking the bank. Dobsonian telescopes are incredibly easy to set up and use, offering a vast field of view and high light-gathering power. They are renowned for providing precise and detailed pictures of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. If you are in the market for a quality Dobsonian telescope, you have come to the right place! 

We think the highly recommended product for the best dobsonian telescope is Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope, which comes equipped with a rack-and-pinion focuser that measures 1.25" and is lined with PTFE. Another option is the Celestron – 76mm Cometron FirstScope. It can gather sufficient light to permit viewing many fascinating astronomical phenomena, such as Saturn's rings and the Orion Nebula. You may explore the following if you need more alternatives and more in-depth guidance.

Our Top Picks

With the Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope, you and your whole family will have a better opportunity to appreciate the night sky. The XT6 Classic Dobsonian reflector should be at the top of every beginner's wish list for a telescope because of its outstanding light grab, point-and-view simplicity of operation, and easy mobility.

The Orion CorrecTension Friction Optimization system utilizes heavy-duty springs to securely couple the tube to the base and keep the telescope in constant balance to prevent drifting while observations are being made. The reflector telescope tube measures 6 inches in diameter and is 45.5 inches in length. The XT6 Dobsonian telescope's optical tube will maintain its balance even if you add heavier eyepieces and accessories during your viewing sessions, even if it has a larger aperture.

Whether you're gazing at a stony lunar crater or a wispy nebula, the simple focus control makes it easy to dial in fine details when watching objects in the night sky. This is true whether you're looking at a nebula or a crater on the moon. The focuser has two knurled thumbscrews that keep 1.25" eyepieces and other accessories from moving inside the focuser. The only drawback of this scope is that it is a bit cumbersome, making it hard to take it with you very far and limiting your movement.

TOP Choice #2 Celestron – 76mm Cometron FirstScope
Our Score:
9.6
Celestron

This high-quality Dobsonian-style telescope has a Newtonian reflector measuring 76 millimeters in diameter. It can gather sufficient light to permit viewing many fascinating astronomical phenomena, such as Saturn's rings and the Orion Nebula. With the 5x24 finderscope that comes along with the Cometron FirstScope, navigating the night sky is a breeze. When you get the desired target centered in the window of the finderscope, it is ready to be viewed in the eyepiece with the lower magnification setting. The only issue is that this product doesn't come with instructions, so you need to view it on Youtube or the website to know how to use it better.

Because of its expansive field of view, the Cometron FirstScope is an excellent instrument for sweeping across the Milky Way, viewing massive nebulae, the Pleiades Star Cluster, and, of course, comets. A 20mm and a 10mm eyepiece are included with the purchase of a FirstScope, which enables magnification levels of up to 30x. When you're ready to get a better look at what's far away, switch to the eyepiece with a higher magnification.

TOP Choice #3 Zhumell – 10-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
Our Score:
9.5
Zhumell

Serious amateur astronomers adore this telescope because of the fact that it is so simple to operate and is of such high quality. The Z10 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope is a high-quality parabolic mirror that measures 10 inches in diameter and is fitted with highly reflective coatings. These coatings allow for enhanced light transmission, resulting in brighter and more detailed views. You are able to make exact adjustments and track celestial objects as they appear to move across the sky with the assistance of the durable Dobsonian base, which comes equipped with an adjustable azimuth bearing system.

You can take the telescope to city sidewalks, dark sky areas, and other locations are made much simpler with the Z10's base, which has ergonomic carry handles. You will be able to observe many astronomical phenomena on your first night outside, including the Moon and the planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. Nonetheless, the view finder's eyepiece may fall off; therefore, you will need to adjust it appropriately.

Unlock the wonders of the night sky with the Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian Telescope. With its large 200mm aperture and high-quality optics, this telescope offers a bright and bold viewing experience at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs. This telescope will amaze you with its ability to reveal stunning views of galaxies, nebulae, and more!

The unique design features a collapsible optical tube, allowing for easy portability while keeping collimation. Plus, the proprietary tension control handles provide accurate movement without needing perfect balance. With its superior optics and wide range of accessories, this telescope will give you an unforgettable viewing experience. Now you can see the stars, galaxies, and planets in all the glory with 94% reflective mirrors and fully multi-coated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors, delivering exceptional views. 

Otherwise, it may be difficult to get started with this telescope if you are a beginner because there are no instructions for focusing on it. It works well, but you must have the patience to experiment with it to figure it out. 

5 Sarblue Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
Our Score:
9.1
SARBLUE

This telescope features an erect-image diagonal that flips the image upside down, allowing for terrestrial viewing. The high-quality lenses allow for viewing that is very clear and high-contrast, with virtually no aberrations. The innovative design of the telescope, which consists of a lid that can be removed and exposes the instrument's internal workings, makes it an excellent tool for educational purposes. 

The pearl sponge damping design inside may effectively preserve the telescope while also reducing the amount of friction that occurs. The phone holder for the telescope is relatively simple to install and is designed to work with an almost unlimited variety of mobile devices. You can better aim at your target with the assistance of the two triangle humps on the tube. The only issue is that this scope tends to drift down while viewing, so you may need to readjust and tighten it regularly. Your eye should be positioned at the end of the telescope, and you should adjust it so that the two triangular humps and the target all overlap.

The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is a powerful piece of optical equipment with the highest mechanical simplicity and stability level. It has a precision 8-inch (203mm) parabolic primary mirror that is center-marked at the factory for exact collimation. It is housed in a cast-aluminum support cell that allows optimal airflow. The mirror can bring in 73% more light than a 6-inch telescope, which is adequate to resolve the centers of conspicuous globular clusters, separate dust lanes in nebulas, and reveal subtle structures in elusive galaxies. It would be best if it had more zoom and more aperture.

Orion's CorrecTension Friction Optimization system is responsible for the secure attachment of the telescope tube to the base. This system uses heavy-duty springs to firmly couple the box to the ground and maintain the telescope's equilibrium so that it does not drift during observations. The XT8 Dobsonian telescope's optical tube will keep balance during your viewing sessions, even if you install huge eyepieces measuring 2 inches in diameter and other accessories.

The Sky-Watcher 12" Dobsonian Telescope is a long-lasting telescope that can be broken down into its parts for convenient carrying. It has a magnification of 720 times and a focal length of 1500 millimeters. In addition, it features an 850 RA viewfinder and a focuser in the shape of a two-inch Crayford with a 1.25-inch adaptor.

This 12-inch Dobsonian telescope has two distinct sizes of four-element Plossl 1.25-inch eyepieces. As a result, it is currently the best 12-inch Dobsonian telescope on the market. One is 25 millimeters, while the other is 19 millimeters. A sturdy rocker mount secures the telescope to the base, ensuring it remains still throughout even the most intensive viewing sessions. The fact that this telescope is a more advanced scope and is hence not appropriate for novices is the only drawback to purchasing it.

More To Consider

8 10-inch Hybrid Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope
Our Score:
8.7
Explore Scientific

What to Look For in a best dobsonian telescope?

To buy any product seems easy, but to choose the best one is not straightforward. The time you take to research its outcome is significant. The same matter also comes to best dobsonian telescope of 2024 that we include in this article. But you can relax instead of spending too much time learning the products. It’s our duty!

Here are the main features of best dobsonian telescope that all of you guys should keep in mind when deciding to make a purchase:

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

FAQs

What is a Dobsonian telescope?

A Dobsonian telescope is a type of Newtonian telescope, named after its inventor, John Dobson, that uses a simple alt-azimuth mount to provide an easy way to track and observe celestial objects. The telescope typically has an alt-azimuth mount mounted on a large, stable base, allowing for manual tracking of objects as they move across the sky.

What type of objects can I view with a Dobsonian telescope?

The Dobsonian telescope is best suited for observing deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. It is not well-suited for observing planets or the moon due to its long focal length and lack of precision tracking.

What size Dobsonian do I need?

The size of Dobsonian telescope needed depends on what type of objects you plan to observe. A larger Dobsonian will allow you to view faint, distant objects, while a smaller Dobsonian will be good for observing brighter, closer objects.

What are the benefits of a Dobsonian telescope?

The Dobsonian telescope is a great option for those just getting into astronomy, as it is easy to use and provides a great value for its price. It is simple to set up, has a wide field of view, and is generally more affordable than other types of telescopes.

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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

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