Orion SkyQuest XX12g 42-300x305 GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope, 1500mm f/4.9 Focal Length, 0.38arc sec Resolving Power, 2" Dual-Speed Crayford

The Orion SkyQuest XX12g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope is geared up for extensive exploration of the night sky. With fully motorized GoTo and tracking drives providing automated pointing to any of the over 42,000 celestial objects in the hand controller's database, the Orion SkyQuest XX12g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian is truly a telescope that will keep you up at night - in a good way.

Orion designed the XX12g's optical tube and base with portability in mind. The truss tube can be divided into a small front tube section including the secondary mirror and focuser, rear tube section housing the primary mirror cell, and the four truss-pole pairs. We've increased the portability of the XX12g compared to its XX12i IntelliScope-equipped counterpart by making the base collapsible for easy no-tools-required disassembly into four separate, smaller pieces for easier transport. The separated component pieces of the XX12g tube and base can be stored without taking up an excessive amount of space in your home, and can be transported in virtually any standard-sized car to your favorite dark-sky observing site. The XX12g telescope optical tube employs a rigid 8-pole truss design that virtually eliminates flexure observed in 6- and 3-pole collapsible tube designs. Stability of the assembled XX12g Dobsonian base is enhanced by its 1" thick composite wood base panels, which are laminated with water-resistant black melamine. GoTo and tracking motors are pre-installed on the base panels, making assembly nice and easy. Once the tube and base are assembled, the optical tube attaches to the base with a dovetail trunnion and locks securely in place with a single captive hand knob.

The XX12g GoTo system automatically slews the telescope to any of the over 42,000 celestial objects you choose from the hand controller's intuitive menus, once a simple alignment process is completed. Altitude and azimuth motors automatically track the motion of the target object so it stays put in the eyepiece field of view for extended visual study. For anyone who has spent an evening manually tracking objects with a Dobsonian this is a profound upgrade, and trust us, it was worth the wait. Forgiving of bumps and nudges, the XX12g features closed-loop electronics allowing manual repositioning, or slewing, of the telescope tube without losing alignment of the GoTo system. Redesigned heavy-duty clutches allow motion in both axes to be adjusted independently to desired level of resistance.

With 12" (305mm) of light gobbling aperture and a fast f/4.9 focal ratio, the XX12g is capable of providing clear, crisp and very bright views of the night sky in a 2" or 1.25" eyepiece installed in its 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser with 1.25" adapter. The 12" diffraction-limited parabolic primary mirror is crafted from low thermal expansion glass for speedy ambient temperature acclimation and optimal visual performance. The included cooling accelerator fan helps hasten temperature acclimation of the primary mirror (requires 8 D-cell batteries, or other 12V power source, not included). The primary mirror features enhanced reflectivity aluminum coatings which provide 94% reflectivity and a protective quartz overcoat, so you get the most out of each and every photon collected.

The XX12g is outfitted with a thorough set of included accessories. A 35mm DeepView 2" eyepiece provides wide 56deg. views and a 12.5mm illuminated Plossl 1.25" eyepiece helps optimize GoTo system alignment. A collimation cap, removable eyepiece rack, 12V DC power cable and RS-232 cable are also included. A 12V power supply (sold separately) is required for use of the GoTo system and motors.

In keeping with Orion's tradition of offering top-notch quality optics at affordable prices the XX12g GoTo Truss Tube Dob is priced to please. Includes a Starry Night Special Edition software CD-ROM and SkyTheater DVD! As with all Orion telescopes, our Customer Service and Technical Support teams are available to help with any questions you may have on our exciting new 12" GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian.

A specially designed Light Shroud is available (sold separately) for the Orion XX12g optical tube. A Light Shroud significantly enhances the viewing experience in a Truss Tube Dobsonian by blocking distracting peripheral light from entering the light path, optimizing contrast and brightness.

A custom Orion Padded Case Set (sold separately) is available for the XX12g Dobsonian optical tube. Each set of cases includes a padded case for the top tube section including a secondary mirror cover, a padded case for the bottom tube section, and a roll-up case to safely hold the truss-pole assemblies. An Orion Padded Case Set is the best way to preserve and protect your investment for years to come. With the Orion SkyQuest XX12g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian telescope, you're amply equipped for big-aperture visual adventures, wherever you may roam.