Rank Category: 6″ Dobsonians (Both Tabletops and Full-Sized)
A 6′′ tabletop Dobsonian is great for those who need an ultra-portable scope with a decent aperture, but it will really need a custom support or a permanent solid surface, not just a table. In contrast, a full-sized 6′′ Dobsonian doesn’t need any custom support or table and is still surprisingly lighter and more portable than you might think. However, the tabletops still offer greater portability and may offer more features or better value for money in the 6″ aperture size.
The field of view with a 6″ f/5 tabletop equipped with a 1.25″ focuser is comparable to that of a 6″ f/8 full-sized Dobsonian with a larger 2″ focuser. It’s because the faster f/5 focal ratio in tabletops can compensate for the smaller 1.25″ focuser. Freestanding Dobsonians, with their slower f/8 focal ratio, are vastly easier to collimate than their tabletop f/5 cousins.
That said, if budget allows, we still recommend upgrading to an 8″ or 10″ Dobsonian.
The Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P is a fully computerized 6” tabletop dobsonian telescope in a compact, lightweight package. With quality optics, well-made included eyepieces, and the ability to be used manually even while the mount’s electronics are powered on and aligned with the sky, it’s hard to argue against this fabulous instrument, especially at its price. Remarkably, this computerized 6″ scope is priced similarly to a manual-only 6″ aperture telescope.
Besides the Apertura AD8 freestanding Dobsonian, this is the second most popular telescope choice among our beginner group of readers.
A free-standing 6” f/8 manual Dobsonian, the Apertura AD6 sports the same 2” dual-speed focuser as its larger counterparts (Apertura’s AD8, AD10, and AD12) and offers a decent bundled accessory package too. If you don’t like the idea of a tabletop dobsonian telescope or don’t want to pay for an 8” dobsonian, the Apertura AD6 is indeed an excellent scope.
However, before you make a final decision, we want to convey to you that if you can scale up to the Apertura AD8, you’ll get all of the benefits of the AD6 in a similar weight/volume but with vastly greater light-collecting and resolving power.
The SkyWatcher Heritage 150P is the non-computerized version of the SkyWatcher Virtuoso GTi 150P, with no other significant differences. The requirements, compromises, and benefits are all the same, except for the absence of the computerized system.
What we don’t like about the Sky-Watcher 6” Traditional or the Classic 150 is that it has a poorly-designed “brake” for its altitude bearings, its rack-and-pinion focuser is inferior to the Crayford design of the Apertura AD6, and the scope’s secondary mirror is too small to fully illuminate 2” eyepieces despite the focuser’s ability to take 2″ eyepieces. However, on our tests, the included Super eyepieces were quite good, and optically, the scope is as good as the Apertura AD6. It’s also often a bit cheaper than the AD6.
List Price: $559
The Celestron StarSense Explorer 150mm Dobsonian uses a standard 150mm f/5 optics similar to the SkyWatcher Heritage/Virtuoso 150 tabletops and has a similar single-armed tabletop base. Considering that this scope is the most expensive 6” Dobsonian and the similar-optic, fully computerized Virtuoso GTi 150P is quite a bit less expensive, we can’t really think of a good reason to go with the StarSense Explorer 150mm Dobsonian over the dozen picks ahead of it, though it certainly delivers excellent views and is aided by the easy-to-use StarSense Explorer smartphone app and technology.
Rank Category: 8″ Dobsonians
For a beginner, the 8′′ Dobsonian offers the best balance of aperture, portability, affordability, and simplicity. An 8′′ Dobsonian is almost exactly the same physical size as a 6” f/8 freestanding Dob, apart from the wider tube, but offers significantly more resolution and nearly double the light collecting capability. 8-inch Dobsonians are usually the most recommended size for beginners and hobbyists and are made to last a lifetime. You may still want to consider a 10”, however, which offers a similar form factor to a 6” or 8” with even more capability.
The Apertura AD8, made by GSO and offered by HighPoint Scientific, the most popular US telescope retailer, is considered the ‘best bang for your buck’ among 8″ Dobsonians. Apertura AD8 is the least expensive of the GSO 8″ dobsonian options in the US, and HighPointScientific’s support team makes it superior in every way. This is also the most-sold telescope referred by our website.
List Price: $879
While not as well-accessorized as the AD8, the StarSense Explorer 8″ is lightweight and provides the same quality views, and the StarSense Explorer technology makes the scope extremely easy to use, even for newcomers. The downsides are its price and lack of accessories, which are why we prefer the Apertura AD8 over this scope.
Not in stock; only backorder
The FirstLight 8” Dobsonian offers a high-quality mount with smooth motions, adjustable rings, and huge altitude bearings for minimizing balance issues, a high-quality 2” Crayford focuser, and a recently added, well-made reflex sight finder. However, the sole included eyepiece leaves much to be desired, and the scope is a little heavier and bulkier than the competition.
List Price: $725
The Sky-Watcher 8″ Classic comes with everything you need to get started at the lowest price (unfortunately, not always) for an 8″ dobsonian, including a 9×50 finderscope and two eyepieces. However, its focuser and Dobsonian mount are not the most well-designed and can frustrate newcomers.
List Price: $850
The 8” Flextube’s collapsible tube is nice for those needing the most compact 8″ dobsonian possible, but it comes at the cost of a higher weight, more frequent collimation, and stray light issues. It also lacks the dual-speed focuser of some of its competitors, like the Apertura AD8, which by itself is a $100 accessory.
List Price: $1625
The Skywatcher 8″ Collapsible GoTo features a fully computerized system with a hand controller. But it can be pushed around manually with or without aligning the GoTo system—and without disrupting the alignment of said GoTo system. It can even be controlled via your phone or tablet with the SynScan Pro app or SkySafari. The GoTo 8” Collapsible is more or less a regular 8” FlexTube Collapsible with the Sky-Watcher’s SynScan computerized system.
Rank Category: 10″ Dobsonians
While a little less compact than smaller models, a 10′′ Dobsonian provides even more brilliant views. Most of the 10” Dobsonians available in this price range are marginally heavier than an 8” and have the same length tubes, which means that portability-wise, a 10” is still plenty easy to manage. With most units possessing a 1200mm focal length, it’s no trouble to fit one across the back of a vehicle.
10′′ Dobsonians gather 56% more light compared to 8′′ Dobsonians, and it is totally worth the upgrade if you don’t mind the extra bulk or cost. 8” is still the gold standard to many, but there’s little disadvantage to starting with a 10” telescope besides cost.
You can also consider a truss tube option in lieu of a solid-tubed 10” Dobsonian, which can be portable and often affordable. A truss tube or collapsible 10” Dobsonian can save some weight and/or space compared to a solid-tubed unit. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to invest in a shroud, and assembly can be a little more time-consuming.
The Apertura AD10 builds on the 8″ Apertura AD8 by adding just a bit more aperture. The accessories and focal length are the same, and the scope is only a tiny bit more bulky, but the views are over 56% brighter than an 8” scope! If you can afford the additional expense and are in good health, I think it is well worth it compared to an 8-inch Dobsonian.
List Price: $1199
The StarSense Explorer 10” Dobsonian has a lightweight base and the usefulness of the StarSense Explorer technology in finding deep-sky objects. However, be prepared to spend quite a few extra bucks on some accessories for your new scope, unlike the Apertura AD10.
Not in stock; only backorder
The 10” FirstLight Dobsonian’s high-quality fittings, such as its smooth bearings, adjustable tube cradle, and deluxe 2” Crayford focuser, along with the high-quality included reflex sight make it an excellent choice. However, you’ll need to spend some money equipping it with more eyepieces.
Not in stock; only backorder
The 10” Explore Scientific Hybrid Dobsonian offers excellent value for the money, at a price comparable to a typical solid-tubed 8”. The build quality is for the most part, superb, with smooth motions and a super-compact form factor when dismantled. However, you will need to make some modifications to put the focuser (a mere single-speed) at a comfortable angle, add a shroud, and purchase some decent eyepieces and a finder scope, as the stock ones are garbage. This may bump you up into the price range of a more well-equipped 10” solid tubed scope.
List Price: $995
Another more “bare-bones” entry, the Sky-Watcher 10” Classic comes with two eyepieces, a 9×50 finderscope, and a single-speed focuser. This used to be the cheapest 10″ dobsonian, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for so long.
Not in stock; only backorder
The 10” Explore Scientific Truss Tube Dobsonian offers the same features as the 10” Hybrid but adds a dual-speed focuser and cooling fans. The upper tube assembly is more minimalist in design but will require the addition of a plastic liner to keep stray light out. The same accessory upgrades as with the Hybrid are also a must. Whether the features added compared to the Hybrid are worth the huge jump in price is up to you.
List Price: $1150
The 10” Flextube is not as compact as the Explore Scientific truss offering but is much easier and quicker to assemble. It also comes with a nice 9×50 right-angle finderscope, like the GSO Dobsonians. The 10” FlexTube is marginally heavier than its solid-tubed counterpart, while the collapsible tube is not hugely advantageous compared to an actual truss and still requires a shroud. Compared to the solid-tubed 10” Dobs, you get fewer accessories and no weight savings with this collapsible tube, while a truss is far more compact.
List Price: $1895
Like most GoTo Dobsonians, the 10” Collapsible can be operated completely manually should you not want to use the GoTo system, and it can be adjusted manually without upsetting the GoTo alignment. All the issues we pointed out with the above-mentioned manual Sky-Watcher 10″ FlexTube Collapsible still stands.
Rank Category: 12″ Dobsonians
At about 5 feet (1.5 m) long), a solid-tubed 12” will not fit across the back of a standard car. This means that unless you have a truck or van, you will likely be folding down seats, which impinges on available storage space or the ability to bring passengers. The massive base can also be a pain to fit. Additionally, the weight and bulk of the tube require lifting straps to carry it yourself, while the base may need additional handles installed. Transporting the scope is best done with a dolly or hand truck, which is ideal if you already have good skies at home and don’t want to bring your telescope to events/etc.
A 12” truss tube Dobsonian is fairly compact and easy to handle—possibly more so than a solid-tubed 8” or 10”—but can be expensive and take some time to assemble.
If you’re willing to put up with the hassle, scopes this size will deliver images that are nothing short of spectacular. If you do not think you are able to handle one of these scopes, a truss tube or downsizing to a 10” is a good idea.
The Apertura AD12’s massive tube requires a strong owner and a large vehicle (or a convenient at-home setup such as a dolly or cart to simply roll it outside) to be set up and transported easily, but if you can fulfill these requirements, you’ll be rewarded with a massive aperture and stunning views at a price that can’t be beaten with the help of the best accessories in the class.
Celestron StarSense Explorer 12″ Dobsonian
The Celestron StarSense Explorer 12” Dobsonian, as with the smaller 8” and 10” versions, isn’t as well-equipped as its GSO 12” counterpart sold by Apertura. But it features a considerably lighter base and built-in handles, which considerably aid portability, alongside the Celestron StarSense Explorer technology to help you navigate around the night sky. This is a beast of a scope for sure, but the views at the eyepiece are more than worth it.
The Sky-Watcher 12” FlexTube Dobsonian isn’t particularly lighter than a solid-tubed 12” Dobsonian, but if all you really care about is fitting the tube in a car and being able to carry it around yourself, the FlexTube design does the trick. The SkyWatcher 12″ Flextube Collapsible is very easy to transport, as you can collapse its optical tube and extend it when in use with ease. However, other scopes offer better mechanical designs and/or better accessories.
Not in stock; only backorder
Offering even more portability than the Skywatcher 12″ FlexTube Dobsonian, the ES 12” Truss Dobsonian can even fit in a passenger seat! While not the cheapest nor the most well-accessorized on our list, with a 12” Dobsonian, you’re beginning to almost require a truss tube due to the massive length and bulk of such an instrument—particularly if you plan to transport the scope and do not own a large vehicle. However, assembly is a bit more complicated, and the scope needs quite a few DIY modifications and upgrades—as well as some better accessories—to work at its best.
Sky-Watcher 12″ Flextube Dobsonian GoTo
The 12” Flextube isn’t as compact as a true truss model like the above-mentioned Explore Scientific 12″, but for many people, the collapsible tube is all you need to fit it into a vehicle or storage space. Setting up the GoTo 12” Flextube is almost identical to the above-mentioned manual version of Sky-Watcher 12″ FlexTube; the scope can still be used manually, and there isn’t much of a price difference.
Hubble Optics 12” UltraPortable Dobsonian
The Hubble Optics UP12 is a little bit inconsistent in its overall quality control; the mechanical design is a little unusual; and the telescope cannot be aimed near the horizon due to the limitations of its altitude bearings. However, it is extremely lightweight and portable if you are willing to accept its design concessions.
14″ Dobs
A 14” Dobsonian is a monster telescope. All of these instruments are truss or collapsible tubes, and most 14” and larger scopes feature computerized pointing abilities in some fashion. We would probably recommend starting out with a smaller instrument as your first scope, however, and numerous aftermarket accessories will also be required to enjoy one of these instruments.
- Sky-Watcher 14” Flextube SynScan GoTo Dobsonian
- Hubble Optics 14″ f/4.6 Premium Ultra Light Dobsonian Telescope
16″ Dobs
The largest sized instruments you’re likely to see regularly mass-manufactured, a 16” Dobsonian is a serious telescope with massive light-gathering and resolving capabilities, though you may need a ladder or step stool to reach the eyepiece when these telescopes are aimed high in the sky.
- Explore Scientific 16″ Truss Tube Dobsonian
- Sky-Watcher 16″ Flextube SynScan GoTo Dobsonian
- Hubble Optics 16″ Premium Ultra Light Dobsonian Telescope