TelescopesPlus

Excellent products and service.

I purchased this scope to replace a zhumell dobsonian that I could not move do to a back injury. This scope is very easy to setup and align. The scope arrived in perfect condition as promised and has a very comparable performance to my 12 inch dobsonian and I am spending my nights viewing instead of searching

My new 14.5mm Zhumell Z Series Planetary Telescope Eyepiece works great. I only wish I could have also purchased the 9mm eyepiece so I could complete my Z Series collection.

After a fair deal of research I decided on this for my first telescope. I hope this review will be helpful to those looking for a good starter scope. Although I have some critiques, I'm leaving the rating at 5 stars because I still feel that among the main competitors for 8" dobs in the same price range (e.g. Orion, Apertura) I would still make the same choice. However I am new to the hobby and not giving an expert opinion. The scope and base arrived well packed in two separate boxes in good order. First minor critique - no instructions. However I had already anticipated this and you can easily pull up an excellent video online. Assembly was VERY easy and straightforward. The base is not made from solid wood components, however it is compatible with others for this price range and seems sufficiently sturdy and well constructed. Overall the scope is nicely constructed and finished well. I definitely appreciate the right angle view finder scope. I don't know how anyone works regularly without one for a low sitting dob... However here is my second critique - the viewfinder attachment to the finder scope body is plastic, poorly threaded and falls out from the finder scope. Telescopesplus is aware of the problem but doesn't stock replacements. If I did not already have a Telrad they would have sent me one. As disappointing as this is, functionally this is readily remedied with some black electrical tape. The tension knobs work very well and can hold the scope without any counterweights. This was one major factor in selecting this scope. Although I will be adding some magnetic counterweights just to put less strain on the knobs. May be unnecessary but I am a "belt and suspenders" guy. But will be useful if I get any heavier eyepieces in the future. Moving the scope around works just fine. The included 2" 30mm eyepiece is very enjoyable - if not pretty darn good - for an "included" eyepiece. The 9mm is not bad either but there's just no eye relief to it. But again these are included. The focuser works well and is dual speed. The fan is a nice plus as well. So perhaps what may be helpful is why I chose this over the Apertura and the Orion: The Apertura is essentially the very same scope...and is only available through High Point Scientific. I have NO experience with them, but online reviews were very mixed. At the time of my purchase the adjustment knobs were favorable over the spring setup on the Orion. As I'm writing this I see they now have a new Xt8 plus model with different type of knobs, but a red dot is still included instead of a finderscope. Overall, I am very pleased with the scope, I am really enjoying it and looking forward to getting some upgraded eyepieces. Wishing you clear skies!!

Fast shipping, ítem is great