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Buff · 12-18-2020, 10:46 AM

Bumpity Bump.

My son's scope, was good to get us interested and to affirm that we wouldn't be wasting our money on getting a bigger scope. So we started to dream about the day when we would buy a new one.

Unfortunately my son's scope broke. The mount just broke into two where one of the tension knobs are. I tried contacting Orion to see about warranty and/or just buying a new part or completely new stand. I never heard back from them. No return phone calls. Nobody ever monitored the chat line. I got an auto-response that my support ticket was created but they never got back. I tried multiple times across all three mediums. I was even looking at buying one of their dobsonian mounts.

I subbed to /r/telescopes and did some reading and research and I saw a few people were showing off their brand new SkyWatcher telescopes, which they waited months to get. I decided I was going to look into that brand because Orion's customer service was terrible.

Then I remembered https://www.all-startelescope.com which was based out of Didsbury. It seemed like every telescope was sold out all over the world though and I didn't have much hope. I saw that All-Star had an 8" Dobsonian. I saw some place based in Ontario had 6" Dobsonians in stock. I had to act quick. I decided to support local.

So I bough this scope:
https://www.all-startelescope.com/sa...roducts_id=247

I feel guilty because people have been waiting for months to get scopes and I ordered mine on a Saturday and it arrived only 4 days later.

A SkyWatcher 8" Dobsonian. Wow! It is huge! (That's what she said!). It isn't too bad to move around for me, but my son would need my help to get it outside and setup. I can't also get over how much better views I get with this thing. The previous 3"aperture scope could see the moon and stars were just flecks of dust in the sky. This 8" aperture scope sees more stars than the naked eye can see. The views are amazing!

I was able to find and view Orion's Nebula a couple of times too.

The downfall of using the telescope at this time of year is that it's cold outside and my fingers freeze! Also it isn't really prime planet viewing season. Too bad I didn't have this thing in August or September when I could see Saturn and Jupiter for a few hours.

So, if anybody is interested in getting a scope, be very weary of the scopes that are under $200. They do a decent job, but the mounts are terrible! A dobosonian mount is very easy to use and more stable, and you get a scope with a decent sized aperture. The larger the aperture the more light it captures from the sky.

I haven't had a chance to take it out of the city yet, but so far the views have been amazing just from my backyard!

I've learned so much over the past couple of months. Astronomy, where have you been all my life?

12-18-2020, 10:46 AM	#5
Buff Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: I don't belong here Exp:	Bumpity Bump. My son's scope, was good to get us interested and to affirm that we wouldn't be wasting our money on getting a bigger scope. So we started to dream about the day when we would buy a new one. Unfortunately my son's scope broke. The mount just broke into two where one of the tension knobs are. I tried contacting Orion to see about warranty and/or just buying a new part or completely new stand. I never heard back from them. No return phone calls. Nobody ever monitored the chat line. I got an auto-response that my support ticket was created but they never got back. I tried multiple times across all three mediums. I was even looking at buying one of their dobsonian mounts. I subbed to /r/telescopes and did some reading and research and I saw a few people were showing off their brand new SkyWatcher telescopes, which they waited months to get. I decided I was going to look into that brand because Orion's customer service was terrible. Then I remembered https://www.all-startelescope.com which was based out of Didsbury. It seemed like every telescope was sold out all over the world though and I didn't have much hope. I saw that All-Star had an 8" Dobsonian. I saw some place based in Ontario had 6" Dobsonians in stock. I had to act quick. I decided to support local. So I bough this scope: https://www.all-startelescope.com/sa...roducts_id=247 I feel guilty because people have been waiting for months to get scopes and I ordered mine on a Saturday and it arrived only 4 days later. A SkyWatcher 8" Dobsonian. Wow! It is huge! (That's what she said!). It isn't too bad to move around for me, but my son would need my help to get it outside and setup. I can't also get over how much better views I get with this thing. The previous 3"aperture scope could see the moon and stars were just flecks of dust in the sky. This 8" aperture scope sees more stars than the naked eye can see. The views are amazing! I was able to find and view Orion's Nebula a couple of times too. The downfall of using the telescope at this time of year is that it's cold outside and my fingers freeze! Also it isn't really prime planet viewing season. Too bad I didn't have this thing in August or September when I could see Saturn and Jupiter for a few hours. So, if anybody is interested in getting a scope, be very weary of the scopes that are under $200. They do a decent job, but the mounts are terrible! A dobosonian mount is very easy to use and more stable, and you get a scope with a decent sized aperture. The larger the aperture the more light it captures from the sky. I haven't had a chance to take it out of the city yet, but so far the views have been amazing just from my backyard! I've learned so much over the past couple of months. Astronomy, where have you been all my life?