Thanks for the help, everyone! You can upgrade the collimation screws (though you end up at about the same price as the XT8 plus if you go the bob's knobs route), and you can make a solar filter pretty cheap as well as getting a Telrad or other zero-power finder. (with care and collimation of course). Close. Cheers! Orion SkyQuest XT6 Dobsonian 8.6 3. My Zhumell Z8 scope is a much nicer scope to use than this Orion XT8 and came with better accessories, but for the money, this is an awesome starter scope and no one will regret buying one. The Zhumell also comes with a laser collimator, cooling fan, two eyepieces and a moon filter. The Zhumell Z8 Dobsonian comes with both a 9mm 1.25″ eyepiece and a 30mm 2″ eyepiece whereas most competitors including the Orion only ship a 25mm 1.25″ eyepiece or something close. User account menu. The XT8 offers a good balance between portability, price and performance. I own a Zhumell Z8, purchased in '09. Orion XT8 Vs Skywatcher 8 – Which telescope is the beginners’ favorite? Edit: the only thing that seems inconsistent is the manual I have shows aperture at 200mm and telescpopes.com says Z8 is 203mm. without averted vision. As far as I know, the Zhumell scope would be the better choice between the two. The real key is the accessories. 4.3 out of 5 stars 176. Nevertheless, if you do pick this device up you’ll most certainly be satisfied with its performance. In addition, with the Zhumell you get a second eyepiece which will be better suited for smaller targets. If you put the same model focuser and eyepiece on them, had them side-by-side, and pointed them at the same objects, I don't think most people would be able to choose the better of the two. However the Zhumell comes with a two speed focuser, 2 eyepieces, a cooling fan for the primary mirror, and a laser colminator. Have the budget to justify either one of these scopes, but I wanted to know how the build qualities compare. Celestron SkyProdigy 6 vs NexStar 6SE – Which... April 9, 2020. I can't comment from personal experience about how the dob's base is (other than that I've heard that the Z8's roller-bearing axes are smoother than the axes on the XT8), but I can say from experience that the GSO eyepieces and focuser that come with the scope are very high quality items. And this is a strong advantage over using a screwdriver or (more likely) alan wrench to collimate the Zhumell. Really? Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Legendary performance, unbeateble value. Zhumell. Select from favorite brands like the Apertura Dobsonian and Celestron Dobsonian. Can anyone speak to the quality differences between these two scopes and if the Z8 is still worth it becasue of the accessories even if it is cheaper. The XT8 basic's is a single-speed while the XT8 plus and Z8 are dual-speed. The Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope features an 8-inch aperture to capture significant light for clear, long-range viewing. Zhumell Z8 vs Orion XT8 – Which Dobsonian Telescope is the better option? I even captured images of the ring nebula and several globulars with my cell phone through the eyepiece! Orion XT8 vs Zhumell Z8. DOBSONIAN RANKINGS Simple, powerful, well-built, and low-priced. These work ok, but aren't as quick-easy to use as a laser. We offer a wide selection of Dobsonian reflector telescopes. Used in conjunction with the two included eyepieces (30mm and 9mm) and Dobsonian stand, this telescope will make your night-sky observations and star parties more enjoyable than ever. Our Price: $449.99. 8" is 203.2mm, and most of the otherwise-marked 200mm scopes are actually 203mm. I would suspect the optical quality of the Z8 is slightly better than the XT8, but I would also guess that most observers would not notice the difference. Anyone have thoughts on the skywatcher 8" collapsible dob? Zhumell. Apertura, Zhumell, Meade, and Orion SkyLine dobs on the other hand are made by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO), which IMO makes higher quality dobs (and accessories) than similarly priced Synta dobs. Being one of Orion’s most famous models, the XT8 is an 8-inch Dobsonian reflector telescope. Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. The Zhumell is preferred, despite its higher price, because of the better accessories it comes with: The two used to be the same price - $400. The orion scopes have a cheap collimation cap. The reason Zhumell Z8 is a “perfect” model is not that it has better optics. I am in the hunt for my first telescope, and I was pretty sold on the Orion XT8 until I found the Zhumell Z8. I'd recommend going for the Z8 anyway, though. The only disadvantage I've seen is that the main mirror alignment screws stick out from the bottom of the Z8, so if you stand the scope on its end it puts weight directly on these screws. Zhumell Z8 vs. Orion XT8. All three have 2" focusers with 1.25" adapters. Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 8.3 4. Not to say it's junk, but it's not going to be a highly accurate collimation tool. Shows planets in vivid detail ; Heavy-duty clutches; Disassembles for transportation; EBAY. If the Zhumell Z8 is out of stock or you’re willing to spend the extra $50, the Orion SkyLine is a really good substitute. The Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 (appx. So at first glance these two dobsonian telescopes appear to be pretty much the same and priced within 10 dollars. It is the quality of its accessories and tiny features that make your life a lot easier. 4.8 out of 5 stars 9. But, for years I've read the forums and the consensus always seems to be that the Zhumell Dob is just a better scope for the money. The Zhumell Z8 Dobsonian telescope features an 8” parabolic primary mirror that captures a substantial amount of light and produces crisp, bright images free of visual defects like spherical aberration. The Skyline also came with instructions, if anyone wants I can scan them and upload them to those who got the Z8 and complained that there were no instructions that came with it. No Reviews Yet. Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. It can also pinpoint and track 42,000 objects in space automatically, so you don't waste any time searching. Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610) 4.1 out of 5 stars 146. 2. I don't have a Dob. The xt8 comes with a 2" 28mm and a 1.25" 10mm along with a 1.25" 2x barlow. The reason Zhumell Z8 is a “perfect” model is not that it has better optics. Close. I've decided to go with the Z8, plus a 2" Barlow. Orion XT8 Vs Skywatcher 8 – Which telescope is … The quality of the Z8 finder is better, but some people prefer the red-dot type. EDIT: Would you recommend I buy Orion XT8 and then buy a finder scope, collimation cap, and buy my own eyepieces? Posted by 4 years ago. I have an Orion XT8 dob, which I love, but decided to jump into a larger aperture, and WOW what a difference. So, it comes down to price and accessories. Purchase Dobsonian telescopes today and save at High Point Scientific! Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610) 4.1 out of 5 stars 146. 2. Orion vs. Celestron – Who has the best... April 9, 2020 . Sky-Watcher vs Orion – who makes the most powerful telescopes Celestron SkyProdigy 6 vs NexStar 6SE – Which is the better Schmidt? Zhumell Z8 vs. Orion XT8. I don't own a Zhumell, so I can't say about theirs. I read the sticky, but unfortunately 3 of the recommended 8" are unavailable. A minority of people prefer the EZ Finder, but most do not. $3700) has a 16-inch aperture reflector that can bring in a huge amount of light to make faint celestial bodies bright and easy to see. Very similar focusers, except the Zhumell has a fine adjustment knob. They are not the adjustment screws themselves, they are the plastic ones that you screw in to brace the mirror after making adjustments. Orion’s technical support is also first rate and should you run into any problems, the solution is a quick phone call or email away. Like others have said here, the base doesn't seem overly cheap, but I still wouldn't throw the thing around. Sky-Watcher vs Orion – who makes the most powerful telescopes Celestron SkyProdigy 6 vs NexStar 6SE – Which is the better Schmidt? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Orion XT8 – Overview . Zhumell Z8 vs Orion XT8 – Which Dobsonian... April 9, 2020. If you compare the two OTA's alone (e.g. Thanks for the help, everyone! The Orion XT8 Dobsonian is a mid-range reflector telescope. That was a wall of text, wow, let me know if you have any more questions. The simple azimuth bearings are comprised of three Teflon pads attached to the bottom base piece while the alt bearings consist of UHMW polyethylene pads. Again it's the difference between $30 and $70. That actually gives me concerns about that scope and how they are able to include all that for the same price. DOBSONIAN RANKINGS Simple, powerful, well-built, and low-priced. SkyWatcher 6″ Classic Dobsonian 9.5 2. Go Orion! Press J to jump to the feed. Zhumell 10x42 Short Barrel Waterproof Binoculars - ZHUA002-1. Sky-Watcher vs Orion – who makes the most... April 9, 2020. Edit: Thanks for the great responses guys! Log In Sign Up. Orion XT8 vs Zhumell Z8. Zhumell Binoculars View All. I'd give the Z8 the advantage here, but just barely. The Zhumell Z8 has a cooling fan, and two eyepieces, one being a 2". Press J to jump to the feed. SkyWatcher 6″ Classic Dobsonian 9.5 2. The Z8 comes with a 2" 30mm and a 1.25" 9mm and no barlow. The XT8 Dobsonian mount is very stable with relatively smooth rotation, just not as smooth as the Zhumell Z8. I haven't used the Z8 laser, but most low-cost laser collimators are pretty low-quality. Using a Dobsonian telescope is a push and nudge exercise and it takes a little practice. This is a video review of the Zhumell Z8 8Inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. Tracking is good, goto is pretty good as well but do NOT expect the goto feature to be perfect, especially when using anything more powerful than a … I'm going to listen to the forums. ... And finally, orion XT8, which is pretty much the same SkyWatcher, just in black and with a crappy red dot finder. 7 comments. edited 5 years ago. It is the quality of its accessories and tiny features that make your life a lot easier. But they look incomplete next to the Zhumell Z8. These are superior. My two cents. This thread is archived. Zhumell Tripods View All. Archived. I'm not sure why this discrepancy exists. If all fit in the budget, I'd personally do the Z8, but the difference is pretty slight. 5 offers from $710.98. It also has a sturdy rolling base and a navigation knob that allows for easy maneuvering of the tube. Most likely the Z8 is the better option. 2. Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope. Anyway, this is a fantastic scope. I prefer the compression-ring option, so I'd give it a slight advantage here. save. The reviews on the red dot finder on the XT8 have been pretty mixed, with some people saying it breaks easily, so I'm pretty glad I've gone with this setup. It is ideally marketed as a piece for the whole family to get a kick out of. Orion SkyQuest XT8 offers awesome optical quality, but the accessories are disappointing. 1 offer from $2,308.00. The Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope features an 8-inch aperture to capture significant light for clear, long-range viewing. Orion, however, is known to have a better customer care. The AD8 might be available at some point in the future but not right now. I have no idea which one is better quality or the better buy. The Skyline was a little cheaper at the time, and I did the math and figured the difference between the XT8 and the Skyline seemed worth it value wise. Orion SkyQuest XT6 Dobsonian 8.6 3. Orion … Those who are new to the art of astronomy will find this telescope easy to use, and experts will find most of the functions satisfying. For those that haven't noticed yet, the Z8 on Telescopes.com and the Skyline on Telescope.com are the exact same scope with different etchings on the side. The Zhumell Z8 is a device that I wouldn’t recommend complete beginners to invest as it will take up a lot of room in your conservatory, or whatever storage department you can leave it in. Categories 250$ 350$ 350$ 500$ 500$ 700$ 700$ 900$ 9.5 8.6 8.3 Sky-Watcher 6″ Orion XT6 Orion XT4.5 250$ 350$ 1. I have the XT8 and I'm really happy with it so far. I've decided to go with the Z8, plus a 2" Barlow. That's also what's adding to the weight of the base. I've decided to go with the Z8, plus a 2" Barlow. It is a 1200mm f/5.9 8 Inch. April 9, 2020. Rounding error. I have never used a Z8 personally, but I've used a couple other Zhumell scopes and their quality was very good. Heavy and large, as well. 224 Reviews. hide. 4.3 out of 5 stars 177. 6 offers from $664.47. 374 Reviews . The main difference between the two scopes is what Chinese manufacturer makes them. Sky-Watcher vs Orion – who makes the most... April 9, 2020. Our Price: $69.99. The Skyquest is cheaper and it seems to come with more stuff. 4.3 out of 5 stars 177. You can read more about this at the Cloudy Nights forums. Opinions? 2. The Zhumell was similar in price with the larger aperture, and also has an electric cooling fan. However I have trouble lining it up to what I'm looking at initially, so I just added a telrad finder next to it on the scope so I can get it centered on what I want faster, then move over to the right angle finder. The Z8 includes a moon filter only. It looks to be back ordered though. However, I could always add one for virtually $0, just using an old computer fan and some electronic skills. Build quality on respective components is essentially identical. Orion SkyQuest and Sky-Watcher dobs, for example, are made by the company Synta. The only difference between the included accessories is that the Zhumell Z8 comes with a moon filter and the SkyLine does not. Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. 6 offers from $664.47. The focuser is ideal for deep space, the eyepiece is not. Zhumell 10 x 42 Roof Prism Waterproof Binoculars - ZHUV002-1. XT8 Dobsonian Telescope with TeleVu Nagler Type 4 12mm and 4 other lenses plus four filters!Total Retail Value (priced out online) $1,014.94 !You get the whole package for $560!XT8 Dobsonian Telescope (sells online for $379.99 includes Sirius Plossl 10mm)Orion 9x50mm Right Angle Correct Image Scope Finder (sells online for $79.99)Lenses:TeleVu Nagler Type 4 12mm (sells online for $352)Orion Expans the telescope itself, sans eyepieces, finders, focusers, etc...), they are close enough to be indistinguishable. What 8" dobsonian should I get? Zhumell Z8 vs Orion XT8 – Which Dobsonian Telescope is the better option? Also, what on earth is the 'Tension Control Handel'? I may be wrong, but I believe the Z8 uses a compression-ring system versus the XT8 (both versions) that have a standard screw-in version where the tightening screw holds directly against the eyepiece barrel. Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. It’s large and there’s zero plastic to be worried about. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Meade vs Celestron – Which reigns supreme? With their powers combined, I expect finding things to be even easier. share. Feel free to discuss anything here, from what sort of telescope you should get, to how to actually use that scope of yours! In addition they ship a screw on moon filter and laser collimator, the Orion ships with a collimation cap and cheap reflex finder. The Orion SkyQuest XX16g (appx. Now it comes down to collimation. I did end up going with the Z8 as its just so much more bang for the buck! The Orion XT8 Telescope is undoubtedly one of the best astronomy telescopes under $500 – suitable for all types of stargazers, whether they are beginners, amateurs or die-hard observers. Orion SkyQuest XT8g Computerized GoTo Dobsonian Telescope. Have the budget to justify either one of these scopes, but I wanted to know how the build qualities compare. The telescope was engineered based on customer … XT8 Focuser. This means the Zhumell Z8 is a reasonably fast telescope and will be more than capable at viewing both galaxies and planets. The point about Orion's customer service is an important. Yes, GSO's roller bearings are smoother on the azimuth axis. Find the best Dobsonian telescope for sale online at High Point Scientific. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Sale Price: $129.99 List Price: $199.99. Orion XT8 Vs Skywatcher 8 – Which telescope... April 9, 2020. SEE PRICE ON AMAZON. The Zhumell Z8 Dobsonian telescope features an 8” parabolic primary mirror that captures a substantial amount of light and produces crisp, bright images free of visual defects like spherical aberration. Should I buy the Zhumell Z8 Deluxe or the Orion Skyquest XT8. I have an Orion XT8 dob, which I love, but decided to jump into a larger aperture, and WOW what a difference. The right angle finder is pretty good and I'm happy to have that. Zhumell. When you initially set up the scope in the base you will have to center it weight-wise so one end isn't too heavy, this is something I imagine some people will call a feature since it's adjustable, and some will call a flaw because it was a minor pain to do. The two Orion scopes use EZ Finders which are pretty cheap red-dot finders. Orion vs. Celestron – Who has the best... April 9, 2020 . Orion XT8 – Overview and Key features . Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. Advantage here goes to Z8 ever so slightly, depending on your finder preference. The Zhumell Z8 Dobsonian telescope features an 8” parabolic primary mirror that captures a substantial amount of light and produces crisp, bright images free of visual defects like spherical aberration. Zhumell Z8 vs Orion XT8 – Which Dobsonian... April 9, 2020. I'm thinking of getting a Dob this year and the Z8 is what I'm going to buy, if I do. Celestron SkyProdigy 6 vs NexStar 6SE – Which... April 9, 2020. The optical tube is 45.25″ long and the total assembled weight is 54lbs. The basic XT8 comes with one 25mm 1.25" eyepiece. Orion Starblast 4.5 Astro Review (A Good Portable… Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Review (Worth… Zhumell Z8 Review (Is This Mid Range System Worth… Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope Review (Amazing… Orion Starblast 6i IntelliScope Review (A Worthy… Meade Lightbridge Mini 114 Review (Great Value For Money!?) It's got a nob in the center of the base which you can adjust how freely it spins, too, and I'm always messing with that. The Skyline/Z8 spins super smoothly, those ball bearings are nice. With the Z12, you can see bright deep sky objects (Messiers, etc.) Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. Orion XT8 Vs Skywatcher 8 – Which telescope... April 9, 2020. Are these handy items or not worth the extra $$ over the Skyquest plus? without averted vision. The Z8 is 10 pounds heaver which I assume is due to a cheaper, likely wood, base. Can someone who is sure of what they are doing help me decide? However the Zhumell comes with a two speed focuser, 2 eyepieces, a cooling fan for the primary mirror, and a laser colminator. The secondary mirror has thumbscrews that do not require tools for collimation. EDIT: It has been brought to my attention this one has a right angle correct image finder which seems to be a plus. Naturally, this is reflected in its price, ... Zhumell Z8, for example, comes with a 30mm-2″ eyepiece so you can enjoy the deep space performance an 8″ Dobsonian would provide. If I were to guess where the weight difference between the two scopes would be is because the base is physically a little large (the XT8 has some cuts to make the bottom of the base smaller), the metal attachments on the side of the Z8 for adjusting balance, the scope attatchment seems metal-ish, the focuser is fancier, and it has the fan on the back. However, those big nobs that stick out the side are nice to grab on to and hold the main scope with. Typically reflectors and catadioptrics are measured and manufactured in inches of aperture, and rounded down for closest nice number in milimeters. The Z8 is $449.99. Compared the to other two? But they look incomplete next to the Zhumell Z8. And I, personally, prefer the optical viewfinder that comes with Z8 than the RDF that's shipped with XT8. Zhumell’s simple yet precise 8” Dobsonian is the perfect choice for novice astronomers and experienced observers alike. This can be a tough choice. Good luck, you lucky b£%#¥&$. If you compare the XT8 and the Skyline specs you'll see the Skyline has both a heavier base and heavier optical tube, so the weight difference is split, hence my conjecture. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. ... (orion nebula) and fainter objects stand out considerably better when compared to the xt6. Recently the price on the Z8 went up to $449 and the price of the XT8 went down to $379 so it's not so clear cut now. I'll be upgrading my peripherals as I go along, but this seems like a fantastic jumping off point. 5 offers from $710.98. April 9, 2020. A really nice feature of the Zhumell Z8 that isn't often mentioned (as well as the Aperturas which I think are the same telescope), is that you can easily adjust the optical tube (OTA) up or down on the base to balance it. It's a much better deal IMO. report. Orion XT8 Vs Skywatcher 8 – Which telescope is the beginners’ favorite? You’ll also get two fully multi-coated eyepieces: a 2” 30mm eyepiece for wide field views and a 1.25” 9mm eyepiece for higher magnification. Zhumell Z8 vs Orion XT8 for a casual stargazer So at first glance these two dobsonian telescopes appear to be pretty much the same and priced within 10 dollars. Zhumell 10x42 … I would typically prefer it over the collimation cap, however. I ordered the Skyline because I am new to the hobby and Orion seemed more reliable, but after putting the scope together and squinting at tons of pictures and comparing the eyepieces and everything, I'm 99.99% sure the Sklyine is a rebranded Z8.