Orion Skyview Pro 8 GoTo Reflector Telescope Review

If you’re eager to take your stargazing hobby to a whole new level, then we encourage you to check out our Orion Skyview Pro 8 review. In this article, we are going to show you just how much of a difference can the right piece of equipment make, and we tend to think that the Orion Skyview Pro 8 is just the thing you’ll need in order to become a professional astronomer.

You are probably asking yourself how is the Orion Skyview Pro 8 any different from other reflector telescopes? To forestall our product description series, we have to say that the telescope’s primary parabolic mirror is much more proficient than that of other reflector models, being able to gather 73 percent more light.

This means that all the images seen through the eyepieces are crystal-clear and that with this instrument you will also be able to catch a glimpse of other astronomical events, some of them transcending the common Messier class.

Join us in our Orion Skyview Pro 8 review to learn more about this amazing telescope which can be used for both observations and astrophotography.

Orion Skyview Pro 8 – Product Description

This reflector telescope has an optical diameter of 203mm, which is more than adequate to observe even the most distant celestial objects. The telescope’s large aperture has a focal ratio of f/4.9, and the lenses are manufactured from a special material that increases the light-gathering factor. Also, to further increase the lens’s resistance and to enhance their optical capabilities, they have also received a soda-lime plating.

(Click image to see more pictures and prices on Amazon)

The Orion Skyview Pro 8 stands atop of a standard equatorial mount, equipped with a dovetail bar system, which has two 7.5 lbs. counterweights for increased stability. Furthermore, in terms of image stabilization, the Orion Skyview’s EQ mount is GoTo ready, which means that it can receive any type of motor drives.

Unfortunately, the motor drive and the computerized remote are sold separately, which means that slow-motion tracking is manual. However, motor drive and controllers are not that expensive, especially for someone who wants to see something new every evening.

Other Specs and Features:

• 2-inch Crayford-style focuser;
• Eyepiece included in the pack: two Sirius Plossl eyepieces (25 and 10mm);
• Magnification Factor of First Eyepiece: 40x;
• Magnification Factor of Secondary Eyepiece: 200x;
• Maximum useful magnification: 300x;
• Highest Theoretical Magnification: 406x;
• Lowest Useful Magnification: 29x;
• 8×40 Finderscope;
• Astrophotography ready.
• Sealed ball bearing;
• Stainless Steel Tripod;
• Weight: 56.5 lbs. (fully assembled);
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14.2.

Orion Skyview Pro 8 – Additional Accessories

Apart from the accessories found in the pack, you can buy some additional gear for your Orion Skyview. These accessories will greatly enhance the quality of your observations, and will transform your hobby into something more professional. Note that most of them can be found on sites like Amazon or Telescope, but you can also find them in any astronomy shop if you’re not a big fan of the Internet.

So, without further ado, here’s a really short list of the most popular Orion accessories you can buy for your Skyview Pro 8 telescope:

• The 05662 1.25-inch 13 Percent Transmission Moon Filter;
• 7330 Polar Alignment Scope for Skyview Pro Mount;
• A 7832 Dual Axis TrueTrack Telescope Drive;
• A 15160 44×11.5×13.5 inches Padded Telescope Case;
• 5691 LaserMate Deluxe II Telescope Laser Collimator;
• The Orion 08990 1.25-inch Premium Telescope Accessory Kit (Silver) which includes five Sirius Plossl eyepieces for 6.5 mm, 7.5 mm, 10 mm, 17 mm, and 40 mm, six eyepiece filters, and a Shorty 2x Barlow lens;
• A 7749 Safety Film Solar Filter for 8-inch Reflector Telescope;
• The 5340 1.25-inch Universal Camera Adapter;
• An Orion 5124 2-inch Telescope Eyepiece Extension Tube.

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What’s in the Box?

Here’s what you are going to find in the package once you buy the Orion Skyview Pro 8 telescope. Note that if one or more of these pieces are missing from the package, you should immediately contact your delivery service:

• Orion Skyview 8-inch f/4.9 reflector telescope optical tube;
• One 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece;
• One 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece;
• One Orion 2-inch to 1.25- inch eyepiece adapter;
• Adjustable stainless steel tripod;
• Orion Skyview Pro EQ mount;
• One 8×40 Finderscope;
• Finder scope bracket with O-ring;
• Collimation cap;
• One camera adapter;
• Tube Ring with mounting screws;
• Mounting plate for tube ring;
• Two 7.2 lbs. Counterweights;
• Counterweight shaft;
• Plastic support tray for accessories;
• Slow-motion knobs;
• A. axis read cover;
• One Dust Cap;
• Astronomy Software CD included: Starry Night Special Edition.

Customer Feedback

According to the customer feedback page on Amazon, the Orion Skyview Pro 8 has received a 4.2-star rating, which places it well above the average. While most of the customers who bought this telescope declared that this is indeed a good piece of equipment, despite the fact that some of them have complained about the knobs being predisposed to breakage because they are made from low-quality plastic.

However, a vast majority of the customers have declared that this telescope is quite proficient, and the image produced by it is very detailed. When asked if they are willing to recommend it to a friend or to a family member, approximately 93 percent of them offered a positive answer.

Bottom line: the average customer believes that the Orion Skyview Pro 8 is a decent piece of equipment, designed  specifically for amateur astronomers who want to discover more points of interest.

Buy Orion SkyView Pro 8-Inch Equatorial Reflector Telescope from 

Where to Get it from

As usual, the best places from where you can buy this amazing telescope is Amazon. Right now, the company offers a 6 percent discount for the Orion Skyview Pro 8 telescope, which means that you can get this amazing piece of equipment for $699.99, thus saving $45.93. Furthermore, if you go ahead to buy this telescope from Amazon, you will get free shipping.

Now, if you don’t want to take advantage of Amazon’s offer or if you are reluctant to buy from this provider, then here are some more places from where you can buy this amazing piece of equipment:

• Telescope – for $699.99 (free shipping included). Payment plans are also available.
• OrionTelescopes.com – for $1,129.99 (free shipping included, as well as payment plans starting with $376.66).

Orion Skyview Pro 8 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High-quality optics;
• Easy to set up;
• Easy to calibrate;
• GoTo ready;
• Excellent for both observation and astrophotography;
• Crisp Images;
• Attractive price.

Cons:

• Cumbersome;
• Cheap plastic components;
• No polar alignment scope;
• GoTo kits are sold separately. 

Our Verdict

To conclude our Orion Skyview Pro 8 review, we have to say that this telescope is indeed versatile since it can be easily used by both beginners and pro. If you’re a beginner and don’t have the faintest idea about what to look out for, then do yourself a world of good and buy the additional GoTo kit.

The more than generous database included in the controller will show you some amazing celestial objects and events. In case you’re a pro, the Orion Skyview Pro 8 is an excellent astrophotography platform, especially due to the fact that it comes equipped with a Universal camera adapter.

Furthermore, thanks to its clever construction, the mount’s movement is not entirely dependent on whether you have a motorized drive or not. So, if you can’t afford a GoTo kit, you can easily keep track of fast-moving cosmic objects by using the slow-motion knobs.

So, if you are seriously thinking of taking your hobby to the next level, then we strongly encourage you to buy this amazing telescope.