If you're ready to trade your toy-like telescope for a solid, professional-grade instrument, you're in the right place. Trust me, I've been there, seeking that perfect scope which could fuel my interest and offer something more substantial. And that's precisely when I found the Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm. This telescope is not a child's plaything - it's a piece of serious equipment. After thorough testing, here is my Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm review.
A Robust Masterpiece: Quality of the Orion SpaceProbe II
One of the defining features of the Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm is its robust build. It's a sturdy piece of equipment that promises reliability and longevity, exactly what an amateur stargazer stepping into the professional world needs. Moreover, the 76mm diameter of its mirror collects ample light, which enhances the quality of the viewing experience.
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Assembly: A Breeze with the Orion SpaceProbe II
As for assembly, it was as straightforward as it gets. I managed to assemble the tripod in about 15 minutes - and this was without any prior experience! The simplicity of setting up this telescope adds to its charm, especially for beginners who are still figuring their way around such equipment.
Credit:Amazon
Observing the Moon and Planets
The Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm truly shines when it comes to observing the Moon and planets. The detailed imagery of the Moon's surface is absolutely breathtaking. Moreover, it has allowed me to observe Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, revealing fascinating details of these celestial bodies. I have found out that atmospheric conditions can affect the quality of viewing, so I am planning to take my son to a location with little or no urban street lights to make the most of this amazing telescope.
Approved by the Pros
During a recent visit to the Greenwich Observatory, I had the opportunity to speak with a professional astronomer. I couldn't resist asking for his opinion on my Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm. To my delight, he approved of it as an excellent choice for budding amateur astronomers. Coming from a professional, it was the cherry on top of my already delightful experience with this telescope.
Credit:Amazon
Highlights:
Perfect for Beginners and Families: The Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm telescope is an excellent choice for beginner astronomers and families, providing an enjoyable and educational stargazing experience for everyone.
Lightweight and Easy to Set Up: The lightweight design of the telescope coupled with its easy assembly makes it a user-friendly device right out of the box.
Affordable: Despite its professional-grade features, the Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm comes with a very pocket-friendly price tag, making it accessible for budding astronomers.
Impressive Aperture: With its 76mm (3") aperture, this telescope offers stunning views of the Moon, rings of Saturn, Jupiter's moons, and even some brighter nebulae.
Stable Altazimuth Mount and Tripod: The telescope comes with a stable altazimuth mount and tripod, providing smooth motion in both altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right) directions, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Included Eyepieces: The Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm comes with two Kellner eyepieces, 25mm and 10mm, offering 28x and 70x magnification options right out of the box.
Additional Accessories: The telescope package includes two 1.25" telescope eyepieces, a red-dot reflex sight, a 1.25" rack and pinion focuser, and even a MoonMap 260, ensuring that you have everything you need to start your cosmic exploration.
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FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm Altazimuth
Reflector Telescope
Top-rated: 95 ratings | 7 answered questions
Helpful review:A good beginner's scope from a quality manufacturer. The quality of the optical part is excellent and very sharp (at least on mine). The tripod mount is basic (the EQ mount is preferred and gives better tracking but is a bit more expensive). You can see the moon very well, Jupiter's four main moons are clearly visible, and on a clear day you can barely see two of Jupiter's bands. In the case of Saturn you can usually distinguish the main ring. If you want to see galaxies and such, the scope is not large enough to gather a lot of light. The attached picture of the moon was taken by mounting a cheap logitec usb camera instead of the eyepiece." - Herb H
Get it from Amazon now: $149.99 & FREE Returns
Trending review: "We bought this telescope for my space enthusiast daughter for her first telescope as a birthday gift. It has been a great purchase! You can see so many of the craters on the moon. We have also seen the rings of Saturn and was able to see moons around Jupiter. You can’t really focus on a star but for the planets it comes out great.We didn’t have problems with our tripod like some of the other reviews. It’s very sturdy and it’s a quality product. I highly recommend this product." - Sarah T
Get it from Amazon now: $149.99 & FREE Returns
Some Last Words...
So there you have it, my friends! If you're serious about your stargazing and are looking for a telescope that can match your enthusiasm, I can't recommend the Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm enough. This is a telescope that marries quality, performance, and ease of use. As an aspiring astronomer, I couldn't have asked for more. So go ahead, step into the world of professional astronomy with the Orion SpaceProbe II. Clear skies and happy stargazing!