Orion AstroView 90mm Review

The Orion AstroView 90mm telescope is a great choice for planetary and lunar observations and viewing bright deep space objects such as binary stars and nebulae.

The telescope sits on a German equatorial mount that makes it easy to track objects across the sky.

I recommend the Orion AstroView for amateur astronomers looking for an affordable refractor telescope that’s powerful enough to see the planet and moon in detail and observe some brighter deep sky objects.

It works great as a first telescope or as an upgrade from a starter 70mm reflector telescope. Read on to learn more in my full review.

Orion AstroView 90mm Review

What are you buying?

1. 90mm Refractor Telescope

The 90mm (3.5”) aperture collects more light than beginner 70-80mm telescopes. This allows you to view objects deeper in space. But only bright objects like star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

If you want detailed observations of deep sky objects, you’ll need a telescope with a bigger aperture.

In addition to clusters and nebulae, the Orion AstroView telescope is also great for planetary and lunar observations.

Use the included 25mm eyepiece to locate Jupiter or Saturn then switch to the high magnification 10mm eyepiece to see the cloud bands on Jupiter or the rings on Saturn. You can also observe craters on the moon.

2. German Equatorial Mount With Adjustable Aluminium Tripod

Getting a telescope with an equatorial mount (instead of an Alt-Az mount) is worth the added cost. An equatorial mount makes it much easier to spot and track objects across the sky.

The Orion AstroView uses a high quality German equatorial mount. Slow motion knobs allow you to finely control the mount’s movements, making it easy to maintain focus as Jupiter or Saturn drifts.

The equatorial mount sits on an aluminium tripod. Even though it is not steel like most telescope tripods, the aluminium tripod holds the Orion AstroView telescope steady and reduces vibrations. It also reduces the overall weight of the kit, making it easier to take it on the road.

The tripod is adjustable, so you can set it to your most comfortable viewing height.

3. Night-time and Terrestrial Viewing

Similar to most telescopes, the Orion AstroView is perfect for both nighttime sky and daytime terrestrial observations.

Now, if you plan to use the Orion AstroView to view land-based objects, you’ll need to buy a correct image diagonal so that you can view images the right way up.

How easy is it to use?

Unlike ToGo telescopes, manual telescopes require some practice. You’ll need to learn how to polar-align the equatorial mount on the Orion AstroView and set the right latitude.

You’ll also need to practice using the fine adjustment (slow motion) knobs to carefully follow an object as it appears to move across the sky.

But after a few nights out with the Orion AstroView, you’ll get the hang of it. I recommend using a star chart or sky map to make it easier to find interesting objects to observe.

If you are planning to travel with the Orion AstroView telescope, you’ll be glad to know it easy and fast to take it apart and assemble it again. Just remember that you’ll need to re-align the telescope when you change location since you’ll have moved to a new latitude.

What accessories are included?

• Two 1.25” eyepieces – 10mm (91x) and 25mm (36.4x)
• Finder scope
• 90-degree star diagonal
• Adjustable aluminium tripod
• Accessory tray

Orion AstroView: Pros + Cons

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Great views of the moon and planets.
• Easy to use equatorial mount.
• Includes eyepieces, star diagonal and other accessories.
• Travel-friendly.

Cons:

• Not ideal for detailed deep sky observations.

Anything else you should know?

If you prefer a motorized mount, buy the Orion EQ-2M Electronic Telescope Drive and attach it to the equatorial mount on the Orion Astroview. The electronic drive comes with a precision hand controller that lets you operate the mount at different speeds.

Note that the electronic drive’s only function is to operate the equatorial mount. It will not turn the Orion Astroview into a GoTo telescope. You’ll still have to rely on a star chart or sky map to pinpoint objects in the sky. But at least, it’ll be easier to move the telescope to the right position.

Other accessories to consider buying include a Barlow lens, a moon filter (if you’ll be doing lots of lunar observations), a smartphone telescope adapter (for budget astrophotography) and a battery pack (for travelling).

Conclusion

The Orion Astroview 90mm telescope is a great choice for beginner and amateur astronomers looking for a telescope that’s a bit more powerful than basic entry-level models.

The Orion Astroview delivers close up views of the planets and moons and lets you observe bright deep sky objects.

And with the included equatorial mount, you’ll have a much easier time tracking objects across the night sky.

Where to buy?

• Amazon UK: >>Click here to check today’s price