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sobrien1977
 
 
 
sobrien1977's Stats
 
  • Review Count
    8
  • Helpfulness Votes
    12
  • First Review
    January 12, 2012
  • Last Review
    February 1, 2012
  • Featured Reviews
    0
  • Average Rating
    4.1
 
Reviews Comments
  • Review Comment Count
    0
  • Helpfulness Votes
    0
  • First Review Comment
    None
  • Last Review Comment
    None
  • Featured Review Comments
    0
 
 
sobrien1977's Reviews
 
For deep sky observing in light-polluted areas this 2" Orion SkyGlow Broadband Telescope filter is perfect. It blocks the most common wavelengths of light pollution for increased contrast and better views.
 
Rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Good for Nebulas
PostedFebruary 1, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Mechanical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fit 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
3 / 5
3 / 5
I bought this filter for two purposes, 1) To enhance Nebulas 2) Reduce Light Pollution. It does both pretty good. First thing I looked at was M42 and it definitely enhanced it for great viewing. I also noticed the light pollution was reduced significantly. My problem with this filter is that it turned everything else a very green color. It does not make for observing anything other than Nebulas enjoyable. I now only use this filter when I am viewing Nebulas, I do not use it to block light pollution because all you are doing is swapping some light pollution for an equally annoying view of a green night sky. If you choose to buy this filter just make sure you understand that Nebulas are all that you will be viewing through it.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Nebulas, Galaxies, Saturn & Jupiter
Yes, I recommend this product!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
This useful and affordable blue Orion Jupiter Observation filter for 1.25" telescope eyepieces will significantly increase contrast of the main cloud belts of Jupiter in any telescope.
 
Rating 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Doesn't really make a difference
PostedFebruary 1, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Mechanical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fit 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
3 / 5
3 / 5
This is one of the lowest priced filters so I figured for the money why not give it a shot. I personally did not notice much of a difference in detail looking at Jupiter through this filter than looking without it other than a slight glare reduction. The lines of clouds and the red spot did not look noticeably different to me.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
No, I do not recommend this product.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The Orion Build-A-Scope 8" Intelliscope is great fo the intermediate viewer. It allows you to choose a finder scope, focuser, and eyepiece that fit your needs. The smart Dobsonian allows you to view over 14,000 celestial objects with pushbutton ease.
 
Rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fantastic Scope for Beginners or Advanced Astronomers!
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Mechanical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Assembly & Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
5 / 5
5 / 5
I chose to do the XT8I build a scope instead of ordering the standard XT8I package because I wanted better quality eyepieces and other accessories that don't come with the standard package like a carrying case, red flashlight, ect. I highly recommend doing this because you also get most of the items at a substantially discounted price as opposed to if you bought them separately. As for the scope itself...I was very impressed that it shipped the same day that I ordered it and that everything arrived together. The setup was very easy, It took me about 5-6 hours total. I am a hands on person and learn better by watching someone do something as opposed to reading directions in a book so I opted to follow the instructional video on Orion's website and I had no snafus, Everything went smoothly and there was no yelling of cursing done by me so that's how I know it was smooth and easy. Once assembled I took it outside and that night and began observing. The XT8I's locating computer is fantastic! Simply align it on 2 stars and you are ready to go. It is pretty accurate, Some nights it puts the objects right in my view and other nights I may have to look a degree or two around but it always puts you in the ballpark so the object is easily located. I am very impressed with the detail & views that this telescope provides. Everything from Star Clusters, Nebulas, Galaxies & Planets are all easily viewable with this scope and of course the moon. This scope is just the perfect size, Big enough to get great views but small enough to transport without difficulty. I highly recommend this scope to any beginner or experienced astronomer. Well worth the money and extremely great bang for your buck!
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Nebulas, Galaxies, Saturn & Jupiter
Yes, I recommend this product!
+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Orion offers a rugged, fully padded, case to fit just about every telescope we stock. It provides an easy way to transport and store your telescope. Heavy-duty and water-resistant material, and fits the SkyQuest XT8, XT8 intelliscope & XT8G.
 
Rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Does it's job well
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fit 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Very well made and strong material. Makes transporting your scope to your destination a cinch. I feel it's a little overpriced but it does it's job well.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
Yes, I recommend this product!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The 25mm Orion HighLight Plossl is a low powered telescope eyepiece that is good for views of deep sky objects. The fully multi-coated optics give you bright high contrast images as well as a high degree of color correction.
 
Rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great Value!
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Mechanical Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
5 / 5
5 / 5
I absolutely love this eyepiece. It really is a great value. Images are crystal clear and as sharp as I've seen through an eyepiece. Spend a little more and go with these highlight eyepices over the standard ones, The years of amazing views will be worth the extra couple bucks.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
Yes, I recommend this product!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
A complete assortment of accessories for your telescope, the Orion Premium Telescope Accessory Kit comes with five Sirius eyepieces, a Shorty Barlow, and six filters for lunar and planetary observing, and a case. Everything you need, all in one kit!
 
Rating 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Spend a little more, Get better eyepieces
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Mechanical Quality 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Ease of Assembly & Use 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Value 
4 / 5
4 / 5
I bought this set along with a few higher quality eyepieces. To be honest, The eyepieces in this set are not very good quality for viewing anything beyond the moon. The filters also are not good for anything beyond viewing the moon. The great value here though is the carrying case & Shorty Barlow. These items purchased separately would be almost 2/3rd the cost of this kit. Throw in the eyepieces and it really is a pretty good value but I think they should change the name to "Moon viewing kit". You are better off in spending a few dollars more on some highlight eyepieces.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
No, I do not recommend this product.
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
 
For easy aiming of bigger telescopes, the 9x50 Right-Angle Correct-Image Finder Scope shows you an upright, non-reversed image. And the right-angle design allows for comfortable viewing.
 
Rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Does the Job
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Optical Quality 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Ease of Use 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value 
4 / 5
4 / 5
It does the job but if I had it to do again I would have paid a little bit more and gotten one with illuminated crosshairs.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
Yes, I recommend this product!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Want to replace your existing rack-and-pinion focuser on your Orion reflector? The 2" Orion Crayford-Style Focuser is a good upgrade and provides smooth, accurate focusing. Very easy to install and lets you easily achieve the sharpest possible focus.
 
Rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Does the job, Could do better
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
Customer avatar
sobrien1977
from Pittsburgh, PA
Owned this product for:Less than 3 mos
Mechanical Quality 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fit 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value 
3 / 5
3 / 5
I purchased the XT8I Build a scope. When I was building it I had a choice between this focuser and a nicer one that was $100 more. I chose to save money on the focuser so I could spend it elsewhere. I should have went with the nicer focuser. This focuser fits all the eyepieces well and is easy to operate but it can be difficult to get it on that "just right" focus and when you do get it focused nicely and tighten it down, It shakes the view very badly. Once it is focused though, It does hold the focus nicely. I wouldn't NOT recommend this focuser, I just wouldn't give it a ringing endorsement either.
Favorite viewing location: Mingo Creek Observatory
Favorite object to observe: Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas, Saturn & Jupiter
No, I do not recommend this product.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
sobrien1977's Review Comments
 
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