Unfortunately 2024 was the end of the Orion Telescopes story. This is a brand that we really enjoyed using and selling. They were good products, and we’re sad to see them go. Fortunately there are some great alternatives, but first, here’s a bit of history on the recently departed telescope manufacturer.
History and Evolution of Orion Telescopes
Orion's origins trace back to the early 1970s when the company was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area by a group of astronomy enthusiasts who wanted to make it easier for people to explore the night sky. At the time, telescopes were often costly and difficult to use, which created a barrier for many potential astronomers. Orion's founders sought to change this by offering high-quality telescopes at more affordable prices.
One of the company's early breakthroughs was the development of the Orion SkyQuest Dobsonian telescopes. These simple yet powerful telescopes, featuring large apertures and intuitive designs, made deep-sky observing more accessible to beginners and experienced astronomers alike. The SkyQuest line became a hallmark of Orion's commitment to making amateur astronomy easier and more enjoyable.
In the decades that followed, Orion expanded its product offerings to include a wide variety of telescopes, binoculars, mounts, accessories, and even astrophotography equipment. The company also embraced technological advancements, integrating features such as GoTo mounts and computerized tracking systems to make telescope use even more user-friendly. Orion’s consistent focus on quality, innovation, and customer service has contributed significantly to its success in the astronomy market.
Types of Orion Telescopes
Orion offered a wide variety of telescopes designed to meet the needs of amateur astronomers at every skill level. From simple, manual telescopes to advanced, computer-controlled models, Orion’s diverse product lineup ensures that there’s a telescope for everyone. Below are the most common types of telescopes offered by Orion:
Dobsonian Telescopes
Orion is perhaps best known for its SkyQuest Dobsonian telescopes, which were a favorite among amateur astronomers. Dobsonian telescopes are a type of reflector telescope that use a simple yet effective design. They feature a large primary mirror mounted on a sturdy, easy-to-use base, which allows for smooth motion when manually adjusting the telescope.
The SkyQuest series included a range of models, from beginner-friendly telescopes with smaller apertures to more advanced versions with larger mirrors. These telescopes are perfect for deep-sky observation, as their large apertures allow them to gather significant amounts of light, making faint objects like galaxies and nebulae visible. The intuitive, “push-to” design of the SkyQuest models made them easy to set up and use, even for newcomers to the hobby. These telescopes were good value for money, providing excellent optical performance at an affordable price.
One of the key benefits of Dobsonian telescopes is their simplicity. They require minimal maintenance and are typically easy to operate, making them ideal for those just getting started in astronomy. However, the larger models in the SkyQuest range were also suitable for more experienced users who want a telescope with greater light-gathering power and the ability to view more distant objects.
Refractor Telescopes
Orion also offered a variety of refractor telescopes, which use lenses to focus light. Refractors are known for producing high-contrast, sharp images, making them ideal for planetary observation. These telescopes tend to be compact, lightweight, and easy to use, which makes them a good choice for beginners or those who want a portable telescope for casual stargazing. The Orion AstroView and Orion ShortTube series were among the most popular refractors in Orion's lineup. These telescopes offered excellent optical quality and come in a range of sizes, from beginner models with smaller apertures to larger telescopes suitable for more serious observers. Orion’s refractors were well-suited for a variety of uses, including lunar, planetary, and solar observation.
Another advantage of refractor telescopes is that they generally require little maintenance compared to other designs. The optics tend to remain stable and retain their alignment over time, which means that users can enjoy consistent performance without needing frequent adjustments. However, one drawback of refractors is that their larger models can become quite expensive, especially as aperture sizes increase.
Reflector Telescopes
Reflector telescopes, like the Orion SpaceProbe and Orion StarBlast series, use mirrors instead of lenses to gather and focus light. These telescopes tend to offer larger apertures at a lower cost compared to refractors, making them an excellent choice for those who want to observe deep-sky objects. Reflectors typically require more maintenance than refractors, as the mirrors must be periodically realigned (collimated) to ensure sharp, accurate images.
Orion’s StarBlast series was one of the most popular lines of small reflector telescopes, featuring user-friendly designs that make them ideal for beginners. These telescopes are compact and portable, which makes them great for casual use and travel. They are also very affordable, offering great value for the price.
Catadioptric Telescopes
Catadioptric telescopes combine the best features of refractors and reflectors by using both lenses and mirrors. These telescopes are known for providing excellent image quality while being relatively compact. Orion's SkyQuest XTg GoTo telescopes and Orion StarSeeker IV series were examples of catadioptric telescopes, which feature advanced optics and computerized mounts.
The key advantage of catadioptric telescopes is that they are versatile, offering sharp, clear views of both planetary and deep-sky objects. Many models also come with computer-controlled GoTo systems, which allow users to easily find and track celestial objects. These telescopes are perfect for users who want the benefits of both large apertures and high-quality optics in a manageable, easy-to-use package.
So What Should I Look At Instead?
So Orion is gone, but not forgotten. There are a few products that we really miss. Here are our top 3, and the alternatives that we now recommend.
- Orion StarBlast – These were great table top dobsonians. For years they’ve been stables of library and rental programs. The best alternatives now are the SkyWatcher Heritage 130 and 150. These are table top dobsonians with large aperture in a portable package. They’re great for camping, backyards, and beginners. You can find them here.
- Orion SkyQuest Dobsonian - Try the SkyWatcher Classic Dobsonian as an alternative. These are good quality, basic dobsonians. They come with Crayford focusers, a pair of great eyepieces, and lots of aperture. You can get them as 6”, 8”, and 10” solid tube dobs, and 8”, 10”, or 12” collapsible tube dobs. You can find them here. Shop Dobs here.
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Orion 2x54 Constellation Binoculars – We love these binoculars, they’re incredible for meteor showers and panning across the sky looking for galaxies and nebulae. Unfortunately we had all kinds of trouble finding an alternative. Nothing worked well, so we tracked down the manufacturer and started having them made for us. The AST Core 2x54 binoculars are coming soon in summer of 2025. Contact us for more details