Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope (Teal)

This telescope is great and only took 20 mins to assemble from the box and then was ready to go. It uses a dobsonian mount with means it is a tabletop telescope. It has two really good quality eyepieces, a 17mm and 6mm eyepieces with covers. They provide good views. The red dot finder that comes with the scope is easily the best and easiest to use finder I have used. It only took around 10 minutes to align the red dot finder. After I alligned it everything else was a breeze. Focusing is smooth and you get great detailed views of anything really. Observing planets is pretty good for the price point and I would recommend it to anyone. It comes with starry night software which is great to plan ahead when you want to observe specific objects. You can also register for a 1 year warranty. Overall this scope is probably the best beginner scope you could get. There's an eq version but I would recommend waiting a bit before using an equitorial mount but if that's what you want I would sya go for it. The orion starblast is a great affordable scope that provides clear and great views and is the best beginner scope.

As a beginner's scope, or for maximum portability, this is a great little thing! Very easy to use, good mount with smooth motion ( up and down, left and right: which is called Altitude and Azimuth, hence Alt-azimuth), nice widefield view and needing minimal storage space. You will need a sturdy table or even its own box to stand it on but that's why it's a 'tabletop' telescope - I use mine on a garden table. It's easy to carry to where your need it, and The Starblast arrives ready to go, with collimation (correct mirror alignment) pretty much spot on out of the box, & a handy and clear manual which explains everything clearly.The red dot finder is easy enough to use once aligned - all explained in the manual, it's not complicated. With this small little scope, you will be able see Saturn's rings(a glorious sight which will take your breath away) and Jupiter and is moons - both planets will be small but sharp and clear. Seeing these with your own eyes in real time is so much better than seeing a photograph. The Moon is bright and detailed and the stars and constellations look sharp - the Starblast is capable of showing you brighter objects like the M31 galaxy or M13 Great Cluster usually as small, grey and fuzzy unless the sky has absolutely perfect observing conditions BUT it's important to remember that you are not going to see the colours and sheer level of detail that you see from NASA or astrophotography - this is true of all amateur telescopes used visually, irrespective of size: the human eye simply can't 'see' in astronomical terms what a camera can(even then, the latter usually needs many-layered multiple exposures to achieve those stunning images). The supplied eyepieces are of a good enough quality to get you started, but there are lots of higher quality choices available from as little as £20-£30 upwards if your feel the need to upgrade in future. All in all, a hearty recommendation for this pint sized telescope or indeed its larger sibling, the Starblast 6, as beginner scopes or compact 'grab an go' additions for more established amateur astronomers.

If your interested in the stars moon and planets this is excellent for the money strongly built and easy to use

Exactly what I wanted.

I began my astronomy hobby with only a pair of 10x50 binoculars. I was then intending to buy larger binoculars, either 15x70 or 20x60, but when I saw Jupiter's moons for the first time I wanted a telescope instead. In my opinion, the Orion 4.5in StarBlast is an excellent alternative to large binoculars without having to commit to more expensive and demanding telescopes that typically have a aperture size of at least 6in and use equatorial mounts.The Orion 4.5in StarBlast is a table top Newtonian reflector telescope with an altazimuth mount and does not require any setting up. You just place it on an outside sturdy table or on the lawn with a picnic rug underneath. The EZ Finder II spotter scope once calibrated is excellent and makes aligning the scope to desired objects easy.It comes with 6mm and 17mm Kellner eyepieces [standard 1.25in size]. With the 6mm, you can begin to see Jupiter's cloud bands, something you would never achieve with binoculars. The Pleiades star cluster fits nicely within the 17mm field of view. Unfortunately, I've missed the constellation of Orion, which would have been excellent opportunity to use 17mm eyepiece to see Orion's Deep Sky Objects. That'll be something to look forward to next winter.

I am a new astronomer and this is my first telescope. It is a sturdy and well made little instrument which is very portable. I have used it on a number occasions now and i am very happy with it. It is easy to use and position and the "red dot" finder scope is very helpful. The initial setting up was minimal and straight forward.

I got this to upgrade from my old one on a tripod, and i,m so glad i did as i can see planets that were tiny twinkling stars.Much more power gives you a new universe to explore, more to fill your imagination and wonder what really is out there.With this Orion telescope it fills in a lot of blanks. I can't stop looking into the night sky and finding new images i could not see before .A great piece of kit. Colin D.

Nothing wrong with the product but it's just not enough magnification to show much of interest. Apart from the moon, all you see is a bigger dot than you'd see with the naked eye!