“Jupiter, despite its current low altitude from the UK, revealed considerable detail when seeing conditions permitted. On 21 October 2021 at 10:50pm BST, I watched the close appulse of Jovian moons Ganymede and Callisto, while the Great Red Spot approached the planet’s central meridian.
Later that same night, the Moon was one day past full and presented a wealth of crisp, fine detail along the waning terminator. I noted a string of mountain peaks in the heart of 177-kilometre-wide crater Gauss catching the last rays of sunlight. They looked like a string of beads at the limit of the instrument’s resolution, something I had not seen in this region before during four-and-a-half decades of observing.”
Review by Ade Ashford for BBC Sky at Night (pdf)
About this product
Model: stellalyra_10_f5_dob_v2
Part Number: GS880-D
The UK's BEST 10" Dobsonian telescope!
Designed and manufactured to a very high standard by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan.
With a 10" aperture, this easy-to-use Dobsonian telescope is an excellent choice for visual astronomy.
Viewing the lunar surface will feel like you can reach out and scratch plaster! Venus and its phases are also viewable. In good seeing conditions, you can observe Mars with its surface shading and polar cap, Jupiter's weather bands and several of its Moons, and Saturn with its rings, including the Cassini division, are also clearly visible. So are many deep-sky objects, such as galaxies and nebulae. For many owners, this telescope will provide a lifetime of observing.
All StellaLyra Dobsonian telescopes are fitted with a quality GSO aluminised parabolic primary mirror with a minimum reflectivity of 93% and a silicon-dioxide protective overcoat to ensure the surface remains bright for years.
Collimation knobs on the primary mirror cell provide easy collimation adjustment without tools, and an integrated fan provides fast cooling.
This 10” model also features an impressive CNC-machined 2" Crayford focuser with 1:10 dual-speed focus adjustment for smooth, precise focusing—and no image shift!
The focuser includes a 2" to 1.25" adapter, so you can use both 2" and 1.25" eyepieces and accessories. Brass compression rings grip them securely without marring their nosepieces. A convenient 35mm focus extender is also supplied so you can easily achieve focus when using most long focal length 2" eyepieces.
Three fully multicoated eyepieces (1.25" 9mm Plössl, 1.25" 15mm Plössl, and 2" 30mm SuperView) are included, so views will be clear and sharp from the outset.
The Dobsonian base is delivered flat-packed, is easy to assemble and has a convenient carry handle on each side.
A robust roller-bearing assembly between two metal plates provides smooth, reliable azimuth adjustments, even after years of use.
For altitude adjustment, a robust steel shaft and CNC-machined metal plates with large knurled tension adjustment knobs, one on each side, provide smooth, precise movements and adjustable tension.
The mount also features a convenient balance adjustment mechanism with an engraved scale that enables the telescope to be moved forward or backward for precise balance. This is especially useful when changing from a small eyepiece to a large, heavy one or when adding a second finderscope or binoviewer.
A Right-Angled Correct Image 8x50 finder scope is also included for comfort and convenience, so no cricked neck!
Review by Ade Ashford for BBC Sky at Night (pdf)
FEATURES
- 254mm (10") optical aperture
- 1250mm focal length
- f/4.9 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
- Cooling fan brings the primary mirror to ambient temperature quickly for best performance
- Rigid, steel telescope tube with 4-vane, all metal secondary Spider and adjustable primary cell
- CNC-machined 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser with non-marring brass compression rings
- 2" to 1.25" adapter enables the use of both 2" and 1.25" eyepieces and accessories
- 35mm focus extension enables focus when using long focal length 2" eyepieces
- Smooth, stable Dobsonian mount with tension adjustments
- Convenient four-slot eyepiece holder on the front and a carry handle on both sides of the mount
- A carry handle is also fitted atop the telescope
- Supplied with fully multicoated 1.25" 9mm Plössl, 1.25" 15mm Plössl, and 2" 30mm SuperView eyepieces
- 8x50 Right-Angled Correct Image finderscope for comfort and convenience
Focuser - 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser
- 10:1 fine focus adjustment for precise focusing
- Crayford design provides smooth focusing with no image shift
- Includes a 2" to 1.25" adapter so you can use 2" and 1.25" eyepieces and accessories
- 35mm focus extension enables focus when using long focal length 2" eyepieces
- Brass compression rings hold items securely without marring the barrels
- A handy measurement scale makes it easy to remember focus positions when changing eyepieces
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| Dobsonian Mount - Supplied flat-pack but quick and easy to assemble
- Altitude tension clutch on the sides provides smooth, accurate movement and easy adjustment to suit different payloads and personal preference
- The azimuth axis (on the bottom) features a 'Lazy Susan' style roller bearing assembly for smooth 360º movement and an adjustable tensioner
- A handle on each side makes the Dobsonian mount easy to move around the garden
- A handy 4-position eyepiece holder on the front provides convenient storage for eyepieces and accessories
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8x50 Right-Angled Finderscope - Straight-through finderscopes can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, so most StellaLyra Dobsonians are supplied with an 8x50 Right-Angle Correct Image finderscope—so no cricked neck!
- A large 50mm aperture helps spot dimmer targets
- Cross-hair reticule for precise alignment
- Two adjustment screws and a sprung loaded tensioner make it quick and easy to align the finderscope to the main telescope (it can be aligned during daytime when aimed at a distant pylon, but be careful not to point it anywhere near the Sun)!
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| Primary Mirror Cell - Robust primary mirror cell holds collimation well.
- Collimation is easily adjusted using oversize, easy-to-grip adjustment and locking knobs.
- The primary mirror cooling fan draws air over the mirror for faster cooling. It can be powered using the supplied AA battery holder (batteries not included) or a separate 12v DC power supply with a centre-positive 2.1mm/5.5mm DC jack.
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Other Accessories - 9mm and 15mm 1.25" 52º Plössl eyepieces with 6mm and 13mm eye-relief
- 30mm 2" 68º Superview eyepiece with 22mm eye-relief
- 35mm 2" focus extension tube with brass compression ring for eyepieces and accessories that require additional back focus distance
- 8x AA battery holder with 2.1mm DC plug to fit the primary mirror cooling fan
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Size Comparison:
Telescope Field of View Simulator
What's in the box
- 10" Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- Dobsonian Mount
- 8x50 Right Angled Erect Image Finderscope
- 9mm 1.25" Super-Plossl Eyepiece
- 15mm 1.25" Super-Plossl Eyepiece
- 30mm 2" Superview Eyepiece
- 35mm 2" Focus Extension tube
- 2" to 1.25" Adapter
- Cooling Fan & Battery Holder
Specifications
Model | 10" f/5 Dobsonian |
Optical design | Newtonian Reflector |
Aperture | 254mm (10") |
Focal ratio | f/4.92 |
Focal length | 1250mm |
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" dual-speed Crayford |
Mount | Dobsonian mount with tension clutch control |
Finderscope | Right Angled, 8x50 |
Eyepiece 1 | 9mm 1.25" 52º Super-Plossl with 6mm eye-relief |
Eyepiece 2 | 15mm 1.25" 52º Super-Plossl with 13mm eye-relief |
Eyepiece 3 | 30mm 2" 68º Superview with 22mm eye-relief |
Accessories | 35mm 2" extension tube, 2" to 1.25" eyepiece adapter & 12v battery holder for the cooling fan |
Tube outside diameter | 305mm / 12" |
Tube length | 1210mm / 47.6" |
Mount Base Height | 640mm / 25.2" |
Mount Base Diameter | 540mm / 21.3" |
Tube weight | 15.5kg / 34lbs 3oz |
Shipped size OTA | 140cm x 50cm x 48cm / 55.1" x 19.7" x 18.9" |
Shipped size Base | 63cm x 63cm x 14cm / 24.8" x 24.8" x 5.5" |
Shipped weight OTA | 24kg / 52lbs 14oz |
Shipped weight Base | 16kg / 35lbs 4oz |
Downloads / Manuals
Manual
StellaLyra 10" Dobsonian Assembly Manual V2
Customer reviews
Average Rating (7 Reviews): | |
A big step up from my old 6" dobsonian 15 June 2024 | Chris
It's a big step up from my old 6" dobsonian, I have seen a couple of things I hadn't been able to see before such as M101 but what has impressed me more is the things I had seen are a lot more vivid. I can see more stars in the M13 star cluster and I can see a lot more structure in M42. The eyepieces are a lot better quality than the ones that are usually included with other telescopes and the 2" eyepiece holder and cooling fan are a bonus too.
My only issue is the angled finder scope, it's hard to find what you're looking for but that's easily sorted out with a telrad or laser pointer as a backup finder.
I love it, I just wish the sky's would clear up.
24 April 2024 | Lawrenze
I came from a Refractor to this girl. And I gotta say just wow. The view is how can you say, Awesome. First shot on the Moon and its already mind blowing. Try the planets, Stars etc.
But where she really shines even more is in a Dark Site. In Wales There are some good places that I go to since my place is very light polluted. But once you get to a dark site. It cranks the experience to 11.
Though be advise, she is not in the light side unlike the 8" variant so you have to take that into consideration. And if you rush too much driving, it may affect the alignment.
I usually go to my site earlier and set up early if I know its all clear with no rain. Just so I have some daylight so I can align the scope before hand. Unless if you have the laser collimator. (I have bought laser and the chesire one)
And with this one as it is not guided like the new celestron with the Phone app guide.
You do have to know how to search for targets in the night sky but its not all lost cause! Just have to practice and learn bit by bit.
Its worth it.
And its time to blow some minds!
30 January 2024 | Carl
Wow!
Firstly I must say I have nothing to compare this scope to so this review is based on that fact. This is my first serious telescope and was purchased on advice from a 'What first scope' question on a forum.
I bought the scope near the end of 2023 and it arrived safe and sound the day after purchase from FLO. I hastily built up the base in the front room and plonked the OTA on it and did some collimation which only needed tweaking out of the box. And there it sat while I took some time and built an outside storage box for it to sit in. This thing is big and heavy! I knew on purchase that I would want a dedicated site for it in the garden as lumping it in and out of a shed or garage everytime I might want to use it would soon become tiresome and potentially put me off. So now its sitting in a large vented box in the garden on a slab 'runway'. I now just open the door and wheel it out and the whole process takes around 30 seconds.
First light through the scope was amazing. I started with the easy one, the moon. Crickey, it felt like I could reach out and touch it, there is so much detail in the Moon that we just dont see day to day. Jupiter too is incredible. Through the supplied 30mm EP the planet is pin sharp and details can be seen such as the banding and the moons. Through the 9mm I can see the GRS and more banding detail. I also saw a spot transiting the planet though I'm not sure if it was a moon or the shadow of a moon. Either way, super cool ! Saturn is beautiful too but its a bit low and soon disappears. I could make out the rings and their orientation, I wish it was a bit higher in the sky I believe we won't see the rings soon as the inclination changes.
One thing that you need to take into consideration is that because the scope does not track the object, it will soon disappear from view. This means periodic nudging when on high mag. There is however a solution ! or at least part solution. I built an EQ base mount from freely available plans and this brings a whole new dimension to the viewing. If built correctly then you will get at least 15 minutes of viewing before the platform needs re-setting. I would consider this as a priority mod, it makes such a massive difference to your viewing. You can also buy these pre-made and in fact I believe FLO sell them.
Should you buy this scope ?
I have been very happy with this telescope. If you have the space to store it and site it, and you are fit and able to lift it about then I would recommend it, yes.
Stellalyra 10 inch Dobsonian 23 January 2024 | Michael
I'm very pleased with the purchase of this telescope. I especially like the 30mm superview 2inch lense. Had a good view of Jupiter and could see the cloud bands clearly using a 9mm lense. Was able to get a good focus using the fine focus on the dual focus.
The delivery was on time and telescope in good condition.
The only disadvantage is the weight but is easily overcome by using straps to carry the telescope. Otherwise an excellent piece of equipment.
12 December 2023 | Ian
Firstly, this arrived really well packaged. secondly the service from FLO was amazing. They kept me updated all the way through even though i was eager for the stock to come in.
A note of warning, this is a BIG scope. the parcel for the scope is massive, and its heavy! Im glad i got the 10 inch ( read later on ) but its big - bigger than i expected!
The view from this is awesome - i saw jupiter with the 9mm eye piece and it was beautiful. I also bought a stellalyra x2 barlow and saturn blew my mind!
i love this scope. its big and heavey to lug around, but to me the view outways the weight.
29 September 2022 | Peter
I recently bought First Light Optics' Stellalyra 10" dobsonian telescope. I am very pleased with the purchase.
I'm no expert, so my description needs to be read with that in mind. My last telescope, many years ago, was a Tal 1 4" newtonian reflector. The family liked it but not much serious astronomy was done.
The Stellalyra telescope seems very well made in every respect, with a solid and precise feel about all moving parts, including the eyepiece focuser and altitude and azimuth bearings. The optical tube and base move easily with a push but with enough resistance to stay firmly in place as required.
The lenses supplied, including the finder scope, also look and feel like high-quality products. It perhaps should not be a major factor, but one has to say that the colour and general finish of the telescope make it good to look at, which perhaps matters if it has to be kept inside the house and in view.
I had been concerned by all the online advice and warnings regarding collimation. In fact the telescope was perfectly collimated 'out of the box', to my untrained eye at least.
The base mount is easy to assemble if you have ever put flat-pack furniture together. It's all machined precisely so everything goes into place without any fuss. When you put the washers on the shaft of the screw which controls how freely the base turns, it's worth taking a close look at the diagram of all the parts and how they fit together. The optical tube just sits in the shaped cut-outs once the base is assembled.
Observation: A few days in, the traditional cloudy skies which follow a telescope purchase relented just long enough to see Jupiter in opposition. With the lower power lens one could see the planet's bands, colours and moons - very bright and clear. I have not had the Stellalyra long enough yet, with clear skies, to say anything helpful regarding stars, except that even with a brief glimpse between clouds, there are a great many more of them!
The telescope was sold securely packaged in two boxes. I collected them in person and can report that the team at the warehouse could not have been more friendly and helpful, the manager making sure that the boxes fitted safely in our rather small car.
I can unreservedly recommend this telescope and First Light Optics.
Peter J
Big solid well spec'd Dob 21 August 2021 | Graham
This is my 2nd Dob, the first being a 5". The scope arrived from FLO within 24 hrs and was packaged in 2 boxes; a very large one for the OTA and a smaller one for the flat-packed mount. So far the clouds have done their usual trick so it hasn't had it's own first light yet, but the quality of the parts and the spec, including a RACI finder and dual speed focuser made the package attractive vs other options. Everything went together well with the tube mounting/pivot arrangement being particularly sturdy, with adjustable tension and sliding action to find the right centre of gravity. So far the only minor niggle is that the 35mm extension tube could do with being 25mm, to accommodate the 30mm 2" EP's focus point. I've made an unboxing video on my Jenham's Astro YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/Shi13mKbs4w). I look forward to using the scope soon.
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