Amazing telescope, upgrading from a cheapish refractor. Been a lot of cloudy nights but I'm itching to get to use it again soon!

I'll preface this review by saying that I'm new to astronomy and this is my first telescope. I'm delighted with it though. It arrived well packaged and as others have said, it feels and looks of excellent quality. The day it arrived I managed to get out in the garden on the night and managed to get a view of Saturn and Jupiter. I could see the banding on both planets, four of Jupiters moons and the separation between Saturn and it's rings. For reference of those new to astronomy and wondering what they'll see from their garden, I live in a bortle class 6 area so not the darkest of skies by any means. I'm now itching to get out in to some properly dark skies!

Got this scope in early December. About a month wait from first ordering but the predicted availability listed by FLO was spot on. Arrived very well packaged and grouped with other purchases so didn’t need to co-ordinate for several deliveries. FLO were first rate when I changed my order during the waiting time.

The scope itself is made with quality materials and feels like it will last a lifetime. 30mm EP, finder scope and focuser are all decent and won’t need upgrading.

Been frustratingly cloudy since receipt but have used a few times now. Set up is rock solid and easy to manoeuvre. Even from light polluted garden in SE London had great views… eg cloud bands on Jupiter.

I’m very happy with this purchase. An excellent first scope for stargazing and first rate company to buy from.

I’m new to astronomy and originally had a 102mm refractor. But after struggling with an unstable mount and a lot of aberration, I looked into a different scope and all things pointed to an 8” Dob. I can’t tell you how pleased I am with it. The Stellalyra is extremely well made and the 30mm eyepiece is a very good quality. I bought a 12mm and Barlow to accompany it and straps to carry the scope. I find it easy to move around and collimating and aligning the scope were very straightforward for a newbie. The views are just fantastic. I can clearly see the moons craters in detail and Jupiter’s gas clouds and moons are extremely clear. Saturn just looks beautiful. I’m in the early stages of looking at deep sky objects and need to learn the constellations better before I venture a bit further afield. But so far, I’m really happy with the scope and can’t wait to get out when the sky is clear. First light optics were fantastic. Ordered midday and arrived by 10am the next and their customer service was great. Chris was extremely helpful when I was asking advice on eyepieces.
They’re definitely my go to on any equipment and advice I need as I get further into my new hobby.

Long wait due to supply issues but well worth the wait. Put together on the day it arrived and wow had a clear night! Was expecting to have to collimate the scope but it was fine out of the box! I live in a light polluted city but Jupiter, belts and moons, pleiades and andromeda looked awesome. Only one slight niggle. When tightening the base the small metal tube stands proud ( slightly too long ) So couldn't adjust the tension on the central bolt and small bearing. I could have cut it down but it was easily remedied with a spacer. Looking forward to heading out to dark sites with the local club now. Thanks FLO.

I have owned this telescope for many years (under the Revelation brand). The optics are wonderful and - of great importance - the platform is extremely stable, offering vibration-free views under conditions that most other telescopes can find challenging. The focusser is very precise and free from excess play. The altitude pivot mechanism is of particular note, with large-sized tension knobs that provide fine control over the desired stiffness of movement. Once balanced for your accessories, the mechanism (contrary to what is implied in the description) never needs touching again, as there remains enough stiffness in the mechanism to cope with a wide range of eyepieces and other attachments.

The fan is quiet and unobtrusive, and the built-in eyepiece rack surprisingly handy. Overally, it is always a pleasure to use this telescope.

It is worth noting however, that an 8" Dobsonian like this is at the limit of what most people can comfortably carry. It's heavy - there's no denying that, and if transporting by car to an observing site, then I would recommend you either buy a big cloth bag for the tube, or alternatively fashion a carry shoulder carry strap out of luggage straps (the pivot mechanism can be used to prevent such straps from slipping). In this way, you can carry the tube under one arm, and carry the base (which has it's own handle) with the other hand. In any case, be aware that you'll have to stop for a rest break or two on anything but the shortest of walks.

The quality of stability the views however, make it all worthwhile.

Note also that the height of the base, and the 8" form-factor allows a simple lightweight walking chair to be used. Nothing more sophisticated is required provided that you operate the scope by sitting alongside it rather than square-on. With such a set-up, I have never found the need for an adjustable astronomy chair, and bending forwards for low altitudes, and then sitting up straight for high altitudes feel entirely intuitive, natural and comfortable.

If this size of scope suits you, then I wholeheartedly recommended this model.

I have had this for a couple of weeks, i live in a very light polluted area and this telescope has no trouble showing me great images, high quality, highly recommened for beginners!

This is my first large aperture scope and I must say I'm impressed with the construction and robustness of the design. The law that says as soon as you buy a new scope you don't get a clear night to see its capabilities is working overtime in my case but I did manage to view the moon for over an hour on one occasion and I was very pleased with the sharpness and definition of the image. The delivery and packaging from FLO was exceptional, the scope arrived within 24hours of ordering. I am very pleased with my purchase.

Ordered the scope on the Saturday afternoon and it arrived Tuesday lunchtime. Regular updates from DPD and arrived exactly when they predicted. Packaging was excellent, all items were well protected and arrived in perfect condition. Assembly was straight forward and instructions on the website were fine.

The scope itself and accessories are of a high standard. I also purchased the SL 2x Barlow. Really pleased with the quality of these items. I even managed a few hours viewing after the snow cleared up.

All round exceptional service. Highly recommend the scope and First Light Optics. I will definitely be purchasing from them again in the future.

After reading so many good reviews about FLO, I decide to buy from here.
Couldn't be happier with the purchase and delivery was exactly as expected.
So many astronomers recommended an 8 inch Dob for the best compromise of size, weight, portability, ease of use and performance.
This scope has great features that make it a pleasure to use.
Right angled finder scope, lazy Susan base bearing, adjustable optical tube balance position, super quiet fan for primary mirror, Black tube and base.
I did wonder if the base bearing should be greased but an internet search was in favour of leaving it ungreased for best feel. It shouldn't need grease anyway as it's never rotated at speed but wanted to do the right thing.
Only used for one night at time of review but was delighted at the quality of the telescope and views through the eyepieces.
Bottom line, very happy and will be back when I'm ready to buy accessories.