Home > Consumer Reviews > Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

This is our first telescope and I did a lot of agonizing research before purchasing it. We have little kids interested in space and wanted something to use with them. For the price I don't think we could have gotten anything better. We love looking at the moon and have seen Jupiter along with some of it's moons. It's the biggest telescope that people thought was still easy enough to haul around and I'm going to have to agree there. I am glad we didn't go with the larger ones for that reason. The software that comes with the telescope is really great too, my children like it almost as much as the telescope and it makes locating things much easier than using a star chart in my opinion. If you want to look at the moon you really need to buy a filter to go with the telescope as it's too bright to comfortably view without one.

It took a bit longer to assemble this than the Orion people said it would, but it was worth the time involved. I was pleased to learn how rugged this telescope is. I started out looking at the craters of the moon. I learned more about bodies in motion that night than in any physics course. Ms. Luna doesen't stay still for anyone. This is a very good starter scope.

After reading reviews of different telescopes over multiple websites and astronomy magazines, I decided to check out the Orion line of telescopes. I had some initial questions regarding the differences between this and the 6" aperture so I called Orion's direct service line. They were extremely helpful and polite. The 4.5" was a better decision for me based on the cost, size and reviews.

It arrived here in Italy in short time and I put it together right away. It took about 30 minutes to put together from base to focuser. I noticed right away that the base was very sturdy. Heavy bolts and screws hold it together and the base material seems well sealed and strong. Movement of the base and body is free flowing but holds steady when in position for viewing. The quality of viewing is excellent. I set mine up on a short table in my front yard or I bring out a folding chair for seated viewing and it's perfectly comfortable for long hours of watching the night sky.

I highly recommend this to anyone on a budget and is looking to get into amateur astronomy. Of course, if you have the money to spend, I suggest a larger aperture such as the 6" 8" or 10" Dobsonians. Larger aperture is always better. However, overall this product is definitely a "best buy" for the price.

I bought the telescope for my Grandson as a Christmas present. It wasn't the cheapest but not the dearest either. My Son is over the moon about it, literally, as he says he can see the craters and mountains clearly. However he is already thinking of enhancing it to see even further. I'm not sure if this is for my grandson's benefit or for his. Great educational gift. We will be visiting in June and look forward to testing it at first hand.

Well, first of all, I think most of these "reviews" are fake. I don't like that at all.

This is a fine, small telescope which can show you planets like Jupiter and Saturn. It gives very faint views of messier objects, like open clusters. You need good eyes to see those.

When it arrived in the mail, I was baffled by all the parts, which didn't look like the parts in the pictures. A skilled carpenter assembled it for me, and he had to use several tools, which I wouldn't have known how to use. So, assembly is complicated.

I now use the telescope every night. I have been looking at the Double Cluster in Perseus recently. The weight is good and makes it very moveable. I am considering getting a larger scope in this series, because the 4.5 inch mirror is small.

UPDATE: After a year...
This telescope has been a very good purchase, especially given the price. Under good viewing conditions (new moon, very clear skies), I have had my first view of a bunch of Messier objects, including M81 and M82 (those are galaxies). First view of the planet Mercury when it popped up above the horizon for a view nights. I cataloged them in a notebook to keep track. Under the best viewing conditions I've seen beautiful open clusters in Auriga, and lots of stuff in Sagitarius.

Under less good viewing conditions (big moon, fog), I've only seen planets.