Ursa Major 6" and 8" Dobsonians share the same superb GSO parabolic mirrors as StellaLyra Dobsonians but are fitted with a traditional Alt bearing and tensioner (Teflon pads & spring), a single speed focuser and a 'straight' optical finder-scope.
This has enabled us to achieve lower prices, making them an excellent choice for anyone starting astronomy.
About this product
Model: ursamajor_8_f6_dob
Part Number: GS680-C
NEW updated model with robust azimuth roller-bearing assembly.
Designed and manufactured to a very high standard by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan.
With an 8" aperture, this easy-to-use Dobsonian telescope is an excellent choice for visual astronomy.
In good seeing conditions, you can observe Mars with surface shading and polar cap. Jupiter's weather bands and several of its Moons, Saturn with its rings (including the Cassini division), and Venus and its phases are also visible.
Viewing the lunar surface will feel like you can reach out and scratch plaster!
The 8" aperture (1.78x more light-gathering ability than 6") also provides excellent views of many deep sky objects, like the M42 / Orion Nebula or Galaxies like M81 and M82.
For many owners, this telescope will provide a lifetime of observing.
Ursa Major 6" and 8" Dobsonian telescopes are fitted with GSO aluminised parabolic primary mirrors with minimum 93% reflectivity and a silicon-dioxide protective overcoat to ensure the surface remains bright for years to come.
Collimation knobs on the primary mirror cell provide easy collimation adjustment, without tools, and an integrated fan provides faster cooling.
This 8” model also features a surprisingly good CNC-machined (not cast metal) 2" Crayford focuser for smooth, accurate focusing and zero image shift.
Fully multicoated 1.25" 9mm and 25mm Plössl eyepieces are included so views will be clear and sharp, from the outset.
Teflon pads provide smooth altitude (up-down) movement, and tension can be adjusted to achieve the right amount of resistance. A spring tension system prevents the telescope from moving during eyepiece changes.
A robust roller-bearing assembly provides smooth, reliable azimuth (left-right) adjustments. Metal plates above and below the bearings prevent them from sinking into the softer wood (no divots!), so the movement remains smooth, even after years of use.
The Dobsonian base is delivered flat-packed and is easy to assemble.
FEATURES
- 203mm (8") Newtonian reflector optics
- 1200mm focal length
- f/5.9 focal ratio
- 25% secondary mirror obstruction
- Parabolic primary mirror with minimum 93% reflectivity
- Aluminium and silicon dioxide (SiO2) protective mirror coatings
- Sturdy primary mirror-cell with easy grip collimation knobs
- Integrated fan provides faster cooling.
- Rigid, steel telescope tube with 4-vane, all metal secondary Spider and adjustable primary cell
- CNC-machined 2" Crayford focuser with non-marring brass compression rings
- Smooth, stable Dobsonian mount with Azimuth tension adjustment, four slot eyepiece holder and front carry-handle
- Robust roller-bearing assembly provides smooth, reliable azimuth adjustments.
- Supplied with fully multicoated 1.25" 9mm and 25mm Plössl eyepiece
- 8x50 finderscope
Size Comparison:
Telescope Field of View Simulator
What's in the box
- 8" Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- Dobsonian Mount
- 8x50 Finderscope
- 2" to 1.25" Adapter
- 2" 35mm Extension Tube
- 9mm 1.25" Super-Plossl Eyepiece
- 25mm 1.25" Super-Plossl Eyepiece
Specifications
Model | 8" f/6 Dobsonian |
Optical design | Newtonian Reflector |
Aperture | 203mm (8") |
Focal ratio | f/5.9 |
Focal length | 1200mm |
Primary mirror | BK7 Parabolic primary mirror, minimum 93% reflectivity |
Mirror coatings | Aluminum and silicone dioxide (SiO2) |
Secondary mirror | Minimum 93% reflectivity |
Secondary mirror holder | 4-vane all metal spider |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction | 25% |
Focuser | 2" Crayford |
Mount | Dobsonian mount with spring tension control |
Finderscope | Straight through 8x50 |
Eyepiece 1 | 9mm 1.25" 52º Super-Plossl with 6mm eye-relief |
Eyepiece 2 | 25mm 1.25" 52º Super-Plossl with 22mm eye-relief |
Tube outside diameter | 230mm / 9.1" |
Tube length | 1150mm / 45.3" |
Mount Base Diameter | 500mm / 19.7" |
Tube weight | 9.5kg / 20lbs 15oz |
Shipped size OTA | 128cm x 40cm x 35cm / 50.4" x 15.7" x 13.8" |
Shipped size Base | 58cm x 68cm x 14cm / 22.3" x 26.8" x 5.5" |
Shipped weight OTA | 15kg / 33lbs 1oz |
Shipped weight Base | 12kg / 26lbs 7oz |
Downloads / Manuals
Manual
Ursa Major 8" Dobsonian Assembly Manual
Customer reviews
Average Rating (3 Reviews): | |
26 October 2023 | Kevin
I'm really pleased i bought this telescope. I've had a couple of cheap refractors in the past so this a big step up for me. It feels like a quality product, bought primarily for visual astronomy, although I'd like to have a go at some basic astrophotography at some point. Already had some great views of Jupiter and Saturn, the moon looks fantastic, although i definitely recommend purchasing a moon filter as it is blinding bright through this scope. The mount feels very solid and smooth and was quite easy to assemble. I had to collimate the primary mirror as it was out a bit, but FLO gave me some great advice with this, and once you know the procedure its quite easy to do. I think for the price this a great bit if kit.
25 October 2023 | Mr
Excellent product and excellent service!
Many thanks. Ian
03 July 2023 | Alasdair
I've had the scope for about 6 months now - so time for a review.
After much angst about which telescope to buy (who knew there was so much choice) I finally came to the conclusion that an 8 inch dob was the most sensible choice. All the advice seemed to suggest it would be a good all rounder and best bang for your buck. This scope appealed in the latter category being a little cheaper than other 8 inch dobs around and that confirmed its selection. The staff at FLO were very helpful and answered all the questions about it I could find before I pressed the buy button. Delivery was quick, and after a little bit of DIY building the base was done, and the scope ready to use.
And, since then and now it has had a fair amount of use too! It's been fabulous. My very first night of use paid for the scope with great views of Jupiter. I'd never imagined I would see the cloud bands on that planet and there they were. I've seen detail on the Moon I never dreamt of. And double stars (again, who knew such a thing existed - now I'm friendly with Alberio and the double-double, etc). Globular clusters, nebulae, the lot. All visible, even from my light polluted skies (small town rather than city - but still). And, for me, the great thing about the manual AZ mount is that it teaches you the skies and the skills to find your way around (I'm still learning, it would be lovely if each night the stars just stayed where they started).
At FLO's suggestion I did supplement the accessories with a 2x Barlow and a moon filter. Both have been useful. What I didn't expect to do was add a 32mm eyepiece for wider views (surely stargazing is about getting close - apparently not) and a small red torch so I can sketch what I see. I suspect the fact that the telescope is so good means that it is encouraging me to do this. Oh, and, I'd recommend you have a seat of some sort. A garden chair is doing for me at the moment.
The scope is highly recommended if a manual operation, slightly cumbersome (you need to be happy to carry it outside) telescope is what you you want. Personally, I love the ability to plonk it down, let it cool and then get looking without having align it etc. If you want computerised gizmos this will not be for you.
Once again I'd like to thank FLO for fantastic service and for delivering me an instrument that is providing so much fun (though I am losing sleep). Now I just need to take it somewhere dark and get a whole new chapter of "wow"!
FAQ
Please fill in the form below to ask a question.