I’ve owned an XT8i in the past (sold it cheap to an astro club member). With Dobs, the rule of thumb is get the largest you can afford *and handle*. The 10” isn’t all that much bigger than the 8” and gathers 56% more light, but the 8” does save you a few hundred dollars AND is a little more portable. Heavier tends to get used less in astronomy.
I've had the 10" for about a month now and highly recommend. In my high light pollution suburb, I do the StarSense alignment with Jupiter or a bright star, and it holds that alignment all evening. One big difference - aside from the weight - is that the 8" model uses screws for collimating the primary mirror. You can see in the video that the 10" uses knobs, which means one less tool you'll need to keep handy, especially if transporting to a site and needing to collimate. I can't speak to the weight difference since I've never had an 8" dob, but I've had no issues moving the 10" from my garage to the backyard in two pieces.
I've been doing amateur astronomy for thirty years and this is the best beginner telescope I've ever seen. Period. The whole telescope costs the same as installing a Nexus DSC computer system on an existing 8" dobsonian (not even including the cost of the telescope), and Starsense Explorer is a better object locator than a Nexus DSC. It's the only computerized telescope I've ever recommended to beginners because it's the only computer system that just gets out of the way. It also teaches the night sky in a way other telescope computers just don't. It's a game changer.
I’m a beginner looking to purchase my first telescope and want to go with a 10” DOB. From your review it sounds like you clearly prefer this over the sky-watcher or starsense, would that be correct?
@@revo1974 To be fair this is almost the exact same telescope as the Skywatcher classic dobsonian just with the Starsense dock and app unlocks included. They're made in the same factory and use a lot of the same components. That being said, I recommend this one because of the inclusion of the Starsense dock. Let me put it this way, I've already got dobsonian telescopes that I've been using for 25 years. I got a cheap Starsense explorer refractor scope to cannibalize the dock and app unlocks to use with my Dobsonians. I've been doing this most of my life and even then it was a huge quality of life improvement. To me, this is pretty much the perfect bundle for a beginner telescope that works as a "lifetime telescope"
@@revo1974I do, but I recommend pretty much any 8" or 10" Dobsonian as an ideal beginner scope. The Starsense Explorer is just SO good that it's the cherry on top that pushes it over the edge for me. Functionally it's literally the same telescope as the SkyWatcher, made in the same factory using the same parts. I personally prefer an 8" over a 10" because it's so much easier to lug around, and the jump in light grasp isn't as big between 8 and 10 as it is between 6 and 8. I think the bulk factor on a 10" brushes up against the law of diminishing returns, but that's just my personal opinion. YMMV.
Hi Ori, on especially cold nights, I bring the scope into the garage and leave the cap off until the next morning so it has a chance to come back into temperature equilibrium, I don't bag/rubber band anything. Some people do afix a shower cap to the bottom where the mirror cell is to keep potential critters/spiders out when storing it in a garage. Not a bad idea, just a personal preference.
Great review Mike! Set mine up yesterday and did the test run last night. Very impressive! Just used the ‘laser’ finder for Jupiter. Awesome! Haven’t setup the StarSense yet but with your guidance and insight will sure make it easier. Thanks for the honest comments and tips about the scopes features and lense selections. That will be the next investment. Keep looking up! Brett
Why do you say that the Dobsonian scopes aren’t for deep Sky observation. I have looked at the Hercules star cluster, the ring nebulae in lira, and the Orion nebulae with my old Orion, 10 inch Sky Quest Dobsonian. I have been thinking about getting either the 8 inch Dobsonian 10 inch or the 8 inch SCT next star telescope.
Oh they’re great for deep sky observation, they’re not great for deep sky *photography* without an equatorial platform, which can cost more than the scope itself.
@@MikeLikesChannel maybe I miss heard what you said in the video. I am hoping to get a 8” because I have back problems, but I have to wait for my wife’s approval. She works and I am on disability. Lol
@@fredaw61 Yes I noticed he said Dobsobian scopes aren't for deep sky observation. He clearly meant to say astrophotography due to the need to track the object.
I'm planning to buy this but collimation worries me. Is there a marker on the center of the large mirror? I wasn't able to tell 4:53. New to telescopes btw
Yes the center of the mirror has a dot for collimation. Nothing to worry about. They come from the factory holding a pretty good collimation. A laser can confirm for you.
Thanks for the review Mike! You've earned yourself a subscriber for your informative video! I am just getting into the astronomy/telescope hobby so I am learning as I go, but I do have a few questions if you wouldn't mind: -still deciding between the 8" and 10": but i've heard that in a light polluted sky, mine bortle 7, the bigger the mirror is, the more light it captures - including the light pollution. Would backyard stargazing make more sense with an 8 rather than a 10 taking into consideration the light pollution? -for beginning stargazing astronomers such as myself, would you recommend any additional eyepieces other than what it comes with? which finder would you recomend? -did you have to collimate your mirrors out of the box? if so, which tools would you recommend? i took into consideration that that 8" uses screws while the 10" uses knobs. Thank you in advance :)
Hi Ray, you can't go wrong with either model, the 8" is also a fine scope (I've owned an 8" Dob too). There's a maxim in astronomy that "heavier gets used less", which is somewhat true. I'd get a 2" wide field eyepiece since the field of view will be very nice that way. I use a Celestron Starpointer pro which is like a telrad-type red dot finder. No collimation required out of box, but I checked it with a laser collimator. Yes the 10" is easier to collimate without a tool, but those screws on the 8" can be replaced with thumb screws 👍
How does the 8 inch/10in + StarSense technology compare to the NexStar 8SE in terms of search capability, price and value? I understand 8SE is fully computerized while StarSense is push-to; but is the finding capability the same? i.e. is the 10in + StarSense a better value than 8SE?
Hey there, so I own a C8 on an Evolution mount (it’s basically a souped up 8SE) and have been using the 10” SSE Dob a lot. They’re very similar in capability, but go about it in different ways. The C8 on the mount is a more “classical” GoTo experience, in the sense you need to precisely align it to 2-3 bright stars, and then key in objects in the computer for it to slew to. The 8/10” SSE Dob is still you driving, but your phone is constantly checking the sky and telling you what direction to point. The SCTs are still the more automatic, hands-off experience… but I do love the interactivity of the Dob, it makes you feel like you’re finding the objects, with some help. The C8 is basically “Telescope by Apple Computer” by any comparison.
Depends on your sky conditions. If you have very dark skies, likely. If it's pretty light polluted, it's a less obvious choice and the 8" might show you about as much.
Hey Mike! Great telescope reviews. I am currently considering buying my first telescope, which do you think is a better purchase: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 8" Dobson NT 203mm or Celestron NexStar 6 SE SCT-150/1500 telescope with GO-TO? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Both are nice but it's a decision between manual finding with help from your phone, and an automated mount on the 6SE. I've owned both, different philosophy. If the idea is to share the view? The SCT is easier in that regard since it's fixed.
You can video the object and stack it and get the equivalent of a short exposure. Only need a couple of minutes for a good view of Andromeda with a 10".
I still have yet to see anybody demonstrate taking the software outdoors and using it to locate the object when placed into the dock. The video always skips ahead to “yeah it’s working great, even though I know you can’t see it.” I do everything I’m supposed to to line it up during the day, but at night it consistently tells me to find a clear patch of sky in order to “configure it”, and there are no clouds in the sky yet it will not work and locate any object. I haven’t found a single instructional video demonstrating this working on the first try without skipping ahead so as of right now, I would not spend the extra money for the version of the telescope that includes the software.
It’s as capable as any Dobsonian telescope without the phone, where the human being does the driving. The phone just makes it more convenient to find hard to find objects. For some that can be part of the fun of astronomy, but if you’re under Bortle 8 skies… I promise you star hopping won’t be fun.
That time lapse was really cool with the stop light.
Great review my 10''' starsense is coming tomorrow can,t wait. Clear Skies
Was looking at getting this myself. Can’t decide between the 8” and 10”. Awesome video
I’ve owned an XT8i in the past (sold it cheap to an astro club member). With Dobs, the rule of thumb is get the largest you can afford *and handle*. The 10” isn’t all that much bigger than the 8” and gathers 56% more light, but the 8” does save you a few hundred dollars AND is a little more portable. Heavier tends to get used less in astronomy.
I've had the 10" for about a month now and highly recommend. In my high light pollution suburb, I do the StarSense alignment with Jupiter or a bright star, and it holds that alignment all evening. One big difference - aside from the weight - is that the 8" model uses screws for collimating the primary mirror. You can see in the video that the 10" uses knobs, which means one less tool you'll need to keep handy, especially if transporting to a site and needing to collimate. I can't speak to the weight difference since I've never had an 8" dob, but I've had no issues moving the 10" from my garage to the backyard in two pieces.
@@MikeLikesChannel Agreed. I have a 16" dob and one of these Orion 8" Starsense dobs. I end up using the 8" a lot more often.
Get the 10" much more for your money.
I've been doing amateur astronomy for thirty years and this is the best beginner telescope I've ever seen. Period. The whole telescope costs the same as installing a Nexus DSC computer system on an existing 8" dobsonian (not even including the cost of the telescope), and Starsense Explorer is a better object locator than a Nexus DSC. It's the only computerized telescope I've ever recommended to beginners because it's the only computer system that just gets out of the way. It also teaches the night sky in a way other telescope computers just don't. It's a game changer.
I’m a beginner looking to purchase my first telescope and want to go with a 10” DOB.
From your review it sounds like you clearly prefer this over the sky-watcher or starsense, would that be correct?
@@revo1974 To be fair this is almost the exact same telescope as the Skywatcher classic dobsonian just with the Starsense dock and app unlocks included. They're made in the same factory and use a lot of the same components. That being said, I recommend this one because of the inclusion of the Starsense dock.
Let me put it this way, I've already got dobsonian telescopes that I've been using for 25 years. I got a cheap Starsense explorer refractor scope to cannibalize the dock and app unlocks to use with my Dobsonians. I've been doing this most of my life and even then it was a huge quality of life improvement.
To me, this is pretty much the perfect bundle for a beginner telescope that works as a "lifetime telescope"
@@revo1974I do, but I recommend pretty much any 8" or 10" Dobsonian as an ideal beginner scope. The Starsense Explorer is just SO good that it's the cherry on top that pushes it over the edge for me.
Functionally it's literally the same telescope as the SkyWatcher, made in the same factory using the same parts.
I personally prefer an 8" over a 10" because it's so much easier to lug around, and the jump in light grasp isn't as big between 8 and 10 as it is between 6 and 8. I think the bulk factor on a 10" brushes up against the law of diminishing returns, but that's just my personal opinion. YMMV.
Do you have set up the phone every viewing session?
You don't have to redo the alignment, no.
I'm torn between the se8 and the starsense 10- and I can't make up my mind!!! I just want to see my planets. This video was very helpful.
i was wondering how well the cap prevents condensation, should i still plastic bag and rubber band each end after using it on a cold night.
Hi Ori, on especially cold nights, I bring the scope into the garage and leave the cap off until the next morning so it has a chance to come back into temperature equilibrium, I don't bag/rubber band anything. Some people do afix a shower cap to the bottom where the mirror cell is to keep potential critters/spiders out when storing it in a garage. Not a bad idea, just a personal preference.
Great review Mike! Set mine up yesterday and did the test run last night. Very impressive! Just used the ‘laser’ finder for Jupiter. Awesome! Haven’t setup the StarSense yet but with your guidance and insight will sure make it easier. Thanks for the honest comments and tips about the scopes features and lense selections. That will be the next investment.
Keep looking up!
Brett
Why do you say that the Dobsonian scopes aren’t for deep Sky observation. I have looked at the Hercules star cluster, the ring nebulae in lira, and the Orion nebulae with my old Orion, 10 inch Sky Quest Dobsonian. I have been thinking about getting either the 8 inch Dobsonian 10 inch or the 8 inch SCT next star telescope.
Oh they’re great for deep sky observation, they’re not great for deep sky *photography* without an equatorial platform, which can cost more than the scope itself.
@@MikeLikesChannel maybe I miss heard what you said in the video. I am hoping to get a 8” because I have back problems, but I have to wait for my wife’s approval. She works and I am on disability. Lol
@@fredaw61 Totally understand the “marital finance committee”…. My wife is a very patient lady. Let your wife know that I said it was ok 💚
@@fredaw61 Yes I noticed he said Dobsobian scopes aren't for deep sky observation. He clearly meant to say astrophotography due to the need to track the object.
I'm planning to buy this but collimation worries me. Is there a marker on the center of the large mirror? I wasn't able to tell 4:53. New to telescopes btw
Yes the center of the mirror has a dot for collimation. Nothing to worry about. They come from the factory holding a pretty good collimation. A laser can confirm for you.
Can you put a 2"eyepiece in that DOB to make things easier on the eye?
For wide angle eyepieces, yep no problem there.
When setting up the app do you have to set it up in an area with less light pollution or does it work anywhere?
Works anywhere that’s reasonably dark, I’ve seen.
Thanks Mike. Nearly a year later now, are you still happy with this purchase?
Quite happy with it, yes. However, if it were my only scope, I’d get the 8”. It’s very close in practice and a lot more convenient.
Thanks for the review Mike! You've earned yourself a subscriber for your informative video! I am just getting into the astronomy/telescope hobby so I am learning as I go, but I do have a few questions if you wouldn't mind:
-still deciding between the 8" and 10": but i've heard that in a light polluted sky, mine bortle 7, the bigger the mirror is, the more light it captures - including the light pollution. Would backyard stargazing make more sense with an 8 rather than a 10 taking into consideration the light pollution?
-for beginning stargazing astronomers such as myself, would you recommend any additional eyepieces other than what it comes with? which finder would you recomend?
-did you have to collimate your mirrors out of the box? if so, which tools would you recommend? i took into consideration that that 8" uses screws while the 10" uses knobs.
Thank you in advance :)
Hi Ray, you can't go wrong with either model, the 8" is also a fine scope (I've owned an 8" Dob too). There's a maxim in astronomy that "heavier gets used less", which is somewhat true. I'd get a 2" wide field eyepiece since the field of view will be very nice that way. I use a Celestron Starpointer pro which is like a telrad-type red dot finder. No collimation required out of box, but I checked it with a laser collimator. Yes the 10" is easier to collimate without a tool, but those screws on the 8" can be replaced with thumb screws 👍
How does the 8 inch/10in + StarSense technology compare to the NexStar 8SE in terms of search capability, price and value? I understand 8SE is fully computerized while StarSense is push-to; but is the finding capability the same? i.e. is the 10in + StarSense a better value than 8SE?
Hey there, so I own a C8 on an Evolution mount (it’s basically a souped up 8SE) and have been using the 10” SSE Dob a lot. They’re very similar in capability, but go about it in different ways. The C8 on the mount is a more “classical” GoTo experience, in the sense you need to precisely align it to 2-3 bright stars, and then key in objects in the computer for it to slew to. The 8/10” SSE Dob is still you driving, but your phone is constantly checking the sky and telling you what direction to point. The SCTs are still the more automatic, hands-off experience… but I do love the interactivity of the Dob, it makes you feel like you’re finding the objects, with some help. The C8 is basically “Telescope by Apple Computer” by any comparison.
@@MikeLikesChannel If you could only buy one -- the 10" SSE or the C8 SCT, which one would you prefer?
@@atuldivekar the C8. Because I like to do EAA with a camera. But I love the Dob because it’s gray and go ease.
Do you think the 12 inch version of this will be good for deep space?
Yes very. If you can manage a very bulky and heavy kit.
Does the secondary mirror have a dot as well?
It should not have one.
How do you know when it's collimated?
Laser will confirm that
Hey Mike, love the video, do you think it is worth the cost compared to the 8”?
Depends on your sky conditions. If you have very dark skies, likely. If it's pretty light polluted, it's a less obvious choice and the 8" might show you about as much.
Hey Mike!
Great telescope reviews.
I am currently considering buying my first telescope, which do you think is a better purchase: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 8" Dobson NT 203mm or Celestron NexStar 6 SE SCT-150/1500 telescope with GO-TO? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Both are nice but it's a decision between manual finding with help from your phone, and an automated mount on the 6SE. I've owned both, different philosophy. If the idea is to share the view? The SCT is easier in that regard since it's fixed.
I’ve been having issues with the app saying it can’t find the position of the telescope anyone else?
Haven't seen that one myself, sorry I couldn't help more. Is it sufficiently dark out? I mean I observe in a light polluted driveway.
One telescope Newtonian with parabolic mirror sharp images high quality, i have the "Skywatcher heritage" 130/650
Very nice!
I’ve just ordered the stellalyra ten inch dob.I’m only interested in visual until I get more experience.thanks✌️
You can video the object and stack it and get the equivalent of a short exposure. Only need a couple of minutes for a good view of Andromeda with a 10".
I still have yet to see anybody demonstrate taking the software outdoors and using it to locate the object when placed into the dock. The video always skips ahead to “yeah it’s working great, even though I know you can’t see it.” I do everything I’m supposed to to line it up during the day, but at night it consistently tells me to find a clear patch of sky in order to “configure it”, and there are no clouds in the sky yet it will not work and locate any object. I haven’t found a single instructional video demonstrating this working on the first try without skipping ahead so as of right now, I would not spend the extra money for the version of the telescope that includes the software.
Why do you have traffic lights in your office?
I used to restore and sell them in college. I’ve been privileged to have many hobbies, astronomy is just one :)
You’re amazing 😊
Mine doesn't work properly...am very dissapointed
What kind of problem are you having ?
Das Teleskop kostet ca 1500€ und kann ohne diesen nervenden smartphone nichts.
It’s as capable as any Dobsonian telescope without the phone, where the human being does the driving. The phone just makes it more convenient to find hard to find objects. For some that can be part of the fun of astronomy, but if you’re under Bortle 8 skies… I promise you star hopping won’t be fun.