The Best 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescopes - Buyers Guide 2023

Wilson Watts
  Dec 8, 2023 2:39 AM

8 inch dobsonian is a type of telescope that was popularized by John Dobson in 1965. It is a Newtonian telescope mounted on a simple alt-azimuth mount, which makes it easy to use. The 8 inch refers to the diameter of the telescope's primary mirror. This size of telescope is considered to be an ideal size for the beginner astronomer as it allows for a wide field of view and enough light gathering power to observe a variety of celestial objects. It is also lightweight and relatively inexpensive compared to other types of telescopes, making it a great choice for the budget conscious astronomer.

The Best 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescopes - Buyers Guide 2023
Best 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescopes 2023: Expert Reviews & Buyer's Guide. Image source: Amazon.com

Compare

NoImageProductScoreCheck
1Celestron - NexStar 6SE Telescope - Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users - Fully-Automated GoTo Mount - SkyAlign Technology - 40,000 plus Celestial Objects - 6-Inch Primary MirrorCelestron NexStar 6SE Telescope9.9Check Price
2Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and TubeCelestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope9.6Check Price
3Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610)Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope9.5Check Price
4CELESTRON Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope – Portable, Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners (S11700)CELESTRON Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope9.4Check Price
5Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 8-Inch (White)Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 8-Inch 9.2Check Price

#1:Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope

The Celestron 11068 NexStar 6SE telescope is the perfect choice for both beginners and advanced users. With its fully automated GoTo mount and SkyAlign technology, you can easily locate and track up to 40,000 celestial objects. The 6-inch primary mirror gathers enough light to provide clear and detailed images of deep-sky objects, the Moon, and planets. Plus, you can make use of the included StarPointer finderscope, 25mm eyepiece, and software to take your stargazing experience to the next level. With the Celestron 11068 NexStar 6SE Telescope, you can explore the universe like never before.

#2:Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope

The Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube provides a powerful and convenient solution for viewing the night sky. It features a high-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system, a fully computerized GoTo mount with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, and Celestron’s patented StarBright XLT optical coatings to ensure maximum light transmission and image brightness. The included tripod and tube provide a stable platform for the telescope, and its large aperture and long focal length make it ideal for viewing deep space objects. With its easy-to-use design, you can quickly and accurately locate and track objects, and the included software provides a variety of features and capabilities. Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or a professional researcher, the Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube is the perfect telescope to explore the night sky.

#3:Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope

This Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope is the perfect tool for novice and experienced stargazers alike. Designed with a solid-tube construction and a traditional, uncomplicated design, this telescope is easy to setup and use. With its large 8-inch aperature, you can easily observe planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies in clear, crisp detail. It comes with a 10mm and 25mm (1.25") Eyepieces, a Barlow 2x Lens, a 6x30 Finderscope, and a Moon Filter, so you can get started right away. Perfect for beginners and backyard astronomers, this telescope will help you explore the night sky with ease.

#4:CELESTRON Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope

The Sky-Watcher S11700 Flextube 200 is the perfect telescope for amateur astronomers who want an easy-to-use, portable Dobsonian telescope with a large aperture. This 8-inch collapsible telescope offers an impressive 200mm of clear, bright, and crisp views of the night sky. With its patented collapsible design, this telescope is convenient to store and transport. Its Dobsonian mount allows for easy manual tracking of celestial objects with its simple altitude-azimuth design. The large aperture gives you bright, detailed images of the Moon and planets, deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, and even some of the brighter stars. With its included 25mm and 10mm Super Plössl eyepieces, this telescope is perfect for beginners who want to explore the night sky. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned astronomer, you’ll appreciate the Sky-Watcher S11700 Flextube 200 Dobsonian telescope.

#5:Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 8-Inch

Telescope is a perfect choice for the avid astronomer. This telescope features a collapsible truss tube design that makes it easy to transport and store. The 8-inch aperture offers excellent light gathering abilities, allowing you to view distant galaxies, star clusters, and even nebulae. The telescope also features Sky-Watcher's GoTo mount, allowing you to point the telescope to objects in the night sky with the push of a button. With its included 25mm and 10mm Super Plössl eyepieces, you can explore the night sky with stunning clarity and vibrant colors. The Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 8-Inch (White) Telescope is a great way to explore the universe from your own backyard.
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Q&A

Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube

The Best 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescopes Compared and Reviewed. Image source: Amazon.com

1. What is an 8 inch dobsonian?

An 8 inch dobsonian is a type of telescope that is composed of a simple alt-azimuth mount on a box-shaped base. Its design is based off of the Dobsonian telescope design, which was invented by John Dobson in the 1960s. The 8 inch refers to the aperture size of the telescope, which is the diameter of the main lens or mirror.

2. What is the advantage of an 8 inch dobsonian?

The primary advantage of an 8 inch dobsonian is its portability. The design is lightweight and can be easily transported from one location to another. Additionally, 8 inch dobsonians are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of telescope, making them an attractive option for amateur astronomers.

3. How is an 8 inch dobsonian used?

An 8 inch dobsonian can be used to observe a variety of celestial objects, including planets, nebulae, and galaxies. To use the telescope, the user must first align the alt-azimuth mount with the North Celestial Pole. Then, they can use the telescope's controls to move the telescope and observe different objects.

4. What accessories are needed for an 8 inch dobsonian?

In addition to the telescope itself, an 8 inch dobsonian will require a few accessories to be fully functional. These include an eyepiece, a finder scope, and software for controlling the telescope. Additionally, some users may opt to purchase a motorized mount or an autoguider for more precise tracking of celestial objects.

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Final Thoughts

Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610)

The Best 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescopes 2023: Reviews & Buyer's Guide. Image source: Amazon.com

I think Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is the best 8 inch Dobsonian telescope on the market. It has an excellent build quality, a high-quality optical system, and a wide range of features that make it stand out from the competition. The price is also very competitive, making it an excellent choice for amateur astronomers. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great 8 inch Dobsonian telescope.