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Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope Go-To Tracker Combo with Solar Filter Expired

$369.95
$699.99
+ Free Shipping
+61 Deal Score
43,318 Views
Explore Scientific has select Telescopes on sale. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member eheiny for posting this deal.

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Edited November 25, 2023 at 04:23 PM by
Several sellers of Explore Scientific - Firstlight 10" f5 Dobsonian Telescope
EXP-FL-DOB1005-02-PK $499.95 + tax, free shipping

https://telescopes.net/explore-sc...onian.html OOS

https://redcarpettelescopes.com/c...ccessories
$569 - 28 with Code COMEBACK5 = $541 includes planisphere, Flashlight, barlow and moon filter

https://astronomyhaven.com/produc...-telescope

https://astrotelescopium.com/prod...s=e&_v=1.0 OOS

https://explorescientificusa.com/...-dobsonian OOS

https://www.amazon.com/Explore-Sc...B0743JYNNB - OOS

Costco has the 10" f5 Truss version for $600 - $50 = $550 + tax, free shipping
with "Today Only! Spend $500 Save $50 on Qualifying Items."
https://www.costco.com/.product.1360268.html - expired

Also, there is an Explore Scientific 80mm f8 carbon fiber doublet refractor on a GOTO equatorial with solar filter for $370. Not H-alpha, but possibly a good scope for the upcoming eclipse.
https://explorescientificusa.com/...0CF-IEXOS*

Background Info
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53sgGeAqMQs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlz-w3DGF-8
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I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
ยท
63lb for those who want to know if it is portable.
ยท
Anyone who buys this should also grab a copy of Turn Left at Orion to help you learn how to use a telescope and navigate the sky's and what to look at.

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them https://a.co/d/f4aHhNT
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Joined Dec 2006
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slimwantsfat
11-24-2023 at 08:40 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank slimwantsfat

11-24-2023 at 08:40 AM.
63lb for those who want to know if it is portable.
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Joined Nov 2004
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> bubble2 1,564 Posts
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AgentDCooper
11-24-2023 at 08:53 AM.
11-24-2023 at 08:53 AM.
Is this a good scope for beginners?
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Joined Aug 2011
Tell ur wife u โ™ก her
> bubble2 1,300 Posts
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luvboox
11-24-2023 at 09:03 AM.
11-24-2023 at 09:03 AM.
Yes, great beginner scope if someone is willing to read up on it (or watch videos).
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sheygets
11-24-2023 at 09:46 AM.
11-24-2023 at 09:46 AM.
While I agree it's a good scope, for the moon and solar system. without motorization you are limited to what you can see, as deep objects leave your field of view rather quickly. Learned that on my 3"Reflector from when I was a kid.
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Joined Jun 2020
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> bubble2 76 Posts
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CrimsonShape6121
11-24-2023 at 09:47 AM.
11-24-2023 at 09:47 AM.
How likely is it that this is the best beginner friendly Dob deal for the season? Trying to decide if I should buy now or if I have more time.
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Joined Mar 2010
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firelikeiya
11-24-2023 at 11:37 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank firelikeiya

11-24-2023 at 11:37 AM.
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
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Last edited by firelikeiya November 24, 2023 at 11:49 AM.
Joined Dec 2015
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lebodano
11-24-2023 at 12:57 PM.
11-24-2023 at 12:57 PM.
Even though it's unnecessary, the only thing stopping me from upgrading from my apertura AD8 is this does not have a dual speed focuser. I can't live without it now. Regardless, this is a great scope for beginners.
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Joined Dec 2015
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> bubble2 154 Posts
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lebodano
11-24-2023 at 12:59 PM.
11-24-2023 at 12:59 PM.
Quote from firelikeiya :
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
You'd pay near 1,000 for that. I ended up buying an extra $5 phone case, cutting it in half (for ease of putting my phone in and out), mounted it on my scope and then just use an app called astrohopper for free. I'd recommend that unless money is no issue that is.
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CoralActivity145
11-24-2023 at 02:49 PM.
11-24-2023 at 02:49 PM.
Quote from firelikeiya :
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
So you're saying this is ok, not a toy?
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Joined Dec 2015
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> bubble2 154 Posts
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lebodano
11-24-2023 at 02:51 PM.
11-24-2023 at 02:51 PM.
Quote from CrimsonShape6121 :
How likely is it that this is the best beginner friendly Dob deal for the season? Trying to decide if I should buy now or if I have more time.
great beginner scope. The only one I'd recommend above it is an Apertura AD8/AD10 but you'd pay way more for it
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Joined Dec 2015
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lebodano
11-24-2023 at 02:52 PM.
11-24-2023 at 02:52 PM.
Quote from CoralActivity145 :
So you're saying this is ok, not a toy?
If you're in the market for a quality scope for a beginner, get the dobsonian (not the truss version), you won't be disappointed
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Joined Nov 2017
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TheDealSpiel
11-24-2023 at 02:54 PM.
11-24-2023 at 02:54 PM.
Quote from sheygets :
While I agree it's a good scope, for the moon and solar system. without motorization you are limited to what you can see, as deep objects leave your field of view rather quickly. Learned that on my 3"Reflector from when I was a kid.

This is not true at all. A Dobsonian can give you a wide field of view with a 2" lens. Even with the included 1.25" you learn how to track any object with a Dobsonian, it's half the fun and reason to buy this type of scope. At some point you'll be able to track satellites at high speed with no issue.
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TheDealSpiel
11-24-2023 at 02:59 PM.
11-24-2023 at 02:59 PM.
Anyone who buys this should also grab a copy of Turn Left at Orion to help you learn how to use a telescope and navigate the sky's and what to look at.

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them https://a.co/d/f4aHhNT
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