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Orion Telescopes: Overviews, Assessments, and Evaluations

Orion's current product range pales in comparison to their past glory. Previously, a significant portion of their offerings were produced by Synta Optical Technologies.

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In their current state, Orion's product lineup fails to measure up to their past glory. Most of...
In their current state, Orion's product lineup fails to measure up to their past glory. Most of their items were previously manufactured by Synta Optical Technologies.

Orion Telescopes: Overviews, Assessments, and Evaluations

Wacky Orion Telescopes' Shady Present

Orion Telescopes, the brand once known for its stellar imports from Japan and impressive Dobsonians, now finds itself in a tumultuous state. Post a 2019 courtroom drama that led to Orion's acquisition of Meade Instruments, the manufacturer has severed ties with its long-time partner, Synta Optical Technologies. This Chinese conglomerate also owns Celestron and Sky-Watcher. It appears Orion is Phasing-out Synta-made products and has shifted its production to KSON Optical in China, Guan Sheng Optical in Taiwan, and Long Perng Optical in Taiwan. Yet, each of these manufacturers churns out almost identical products under different brand names, leaving Orion in a pickle when it comes to offering competitive deals.

Today, Orion's range mostly comprises beginner-level telescopes, with a smidgen of top-tier mounts, eyepieces, and the like. However, Orion's separation from Synta has resulted in a vacuum, as their high-quality products that could be easily found elsewhere are being replaced with low-quality instrumentation made by KSON, featuring inferior optics, plastic parts galore, shoddy mechanical design, and value you'd rather not waste yourself.

Orion's customer service is commendably stellar, apart from perhaps occasions when you purchase their equipment secondhand. The company doesn't usually carry a broad stock of spare parts and refuses to service anything you've purchased used. This means if you're thinking about buying or selling any Orion product secondhand, keep this tidbit in mind.

Whether Orion will continue to rule the telescope market remains to be seen, but I wouldn't bet against them hanging around as a retailer for the long haul.

Sordid History of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars was born in the garage of Tim Gieseler in Santa Cruz, California, way back in 1975. It began as Gieseler Electronics and metamorphosed into Optronic Technologies. Their primary offering was AccuTrack devices, a series of drive correctors and motor drive parts for telescopes. As telescope drive systems evolved, Optronic's products became less in-demand, leading them to diversify their product lineup. By the 1980s, they were selling telescopes as a vendor, eventually transitioning into manufacturing and importing their own telescopes.

Orion made a name for themselves with their Dobsonians and overseas imports, particularly from Japan. Orion offered products from Japanese manufacturers like Vixen and Russian alternatives from Intes. Even when other companies opted for less costly Chinese versions, Orion continued to stock these fine products. Orion was also one of the first manufacturers of budget-friendly Dobsonian telescopes and pioneering importers of quality Maksutov-Cassegrains from Synta. But, recent upheavals following the lawsuit and its result have left Orion offering overpriced goods sold elsewhere for less and poorly made instruments best avoided.

What's Cooking in the Orion Telescope Kitchen?

  • Astroview 120ST
  • Astroview 6 EQ
  • Astroview 90mm EQ
  • SkyQuest XT4.5
  • SkyQuest XT6
  • SkyQuest XT8
  • SkyQuest XT8i
  • SkyQuest XT10
  • SkyQuest XX12i
  • StarBlast 4.5 Astro
  • StarBlast II 4.5 EQ
  • StarBlast 90
  • StarBlast 6 Tabletop
  • StarBlast 6i
  • FunScope 76mm
  • Observer 80ST
  • SkyScanner 100mm
  • StarMax 90mm
  • SpaceProbe 130ST EQ
  • StarSeeker IV 150mm GoTo
  • SkyView Pro 8 GoTo

Hunt Down Your Perfect Orion Telescope

In the USA, most online Orion telescopes are offered through:

  • Amazon
  • Telescope.com by Orion
  1. Orion's latest production includes beginner-level telescopes, eye pieces, and some top-tier mounts, but the recent shift to KSON Optical in China, Guan Sheng Optical in Taiwan, and Long Perng Optical has led to concerns about the quality of instrumentation.
  2. Despite the production changes and the absence of Synta-made products, Orion continues to market an extensive line of telescopes such as the Astroview 120ST, Astroview 6 EQ, and SkyQuest XT4.5.
  3. Refractor or reflector, space-and-astronomy enthusiasts might find themselves in a dilemma when choosing Orion's telescopes, given the reports of inferior optics and plastic parts in the new production line.
  4. For those looking to purchase or sell used Orion products, it's essential to keep in mind that the company traditionally does not carry a broad stock of spare parts and refuses service for any used equipment.
  5. As Orion faces challenges in its science-focused technology sector, it remains to be seen whether it will continue to dominate the refractor and reflector telescope market, or if other brands offering competitive deals will rise in popularity.

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