The Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector is a high quality telescope that will meet the needs of a number of types of users and doesn’t require a huge investment. Particularly, the telescope is good value for beginners and families who are just getting started studying the night sky. Intermediate users who are looking for an economical alternative to the higher priced top-of-the-line models are also likely to be satisfied with this reflector telescope.
Ready to Use
You don’t have to spend time assembling the Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector, as the telescope arrives pre-built so that anyone can take it out of the box and begin using it right away. The telescope is also small enough to be easily stored at home, and it comes with an altazimuth base that is stable and designed to be placed on a tabletop.
4.5-inch Aperture
The model has a 4.5-inch aperture that allows ample light to pass through for bright optics, making it possible see a wide variety of celestial objects vividly, including craters on the Moon, star clusters and bright planets. Also included in the design is an EZ finder that opens up the possibility of tracking specific objects in the night sky.
Tabletop Mount Design
There are a few downsides to choosing the Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector as a telescope, but how much this should impact your decision about whether or not to buy one will depend on how you’re hoping to use the telescope. The model only comes with a tabletop mount, so it really can only be used indoors or outdoors on a picnic table or similar piece of patio furniture. This may not be an issue for some users, but those who want to be able to mount their telescopes on a tripod in the backyard or use them on the go should be aware that they will need to purchase accessories to get full use out of the telescope.
The tabletop design also renders the Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector less-than-ideal for astrophotography or taking photographs of the night sky. Even with a tripod mount, if you’re hoping to snap images of what you’re viewing, this telescope likely isn’t the best choice for your needs. This is because while the Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector will allow you to see many celestial bodies very well, it does have limitations. It does not provide the optics equivalent to those of high end models, so fainter objects in the night sky may go unnoticed.
Final Thoughts
Beginners and most intermediate users will be able to see enough of the heavens in vivid detail to be more than satisfied with this telescope. Especially when you consider the fact that you can pick up an Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector for under $200.