Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ Reflector & AstroTrack Motor Drive

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Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ Reflector & AstroTrack Motor Drive

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This wide-field reflector telescope comes with an AstroTrack drive for easy motorized tracking of objects in the night sky
A nicely portable motorized telescope setup for backyard astronomers of all skill levels
Fast f/4 telescope optics provide a very wide field of view, making it easy to locate and observe celestial objects
Included AstroTrack drive provides hands-free motorized tracking for convenient stargazing
Also includes EZ Finder II reflex sight for easy aiming, 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces, MoonMap 260, collimation cap and more!

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Item # 20710

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This winning combination of our wide-field StarBlast II 4.5 EQ Reflector and AstroTrack Motor Drive is a complete telescope setup ideal for any backyard astronomer who wants to enjoy the benefits of motorized tracking with a wide-field optical instrument. This delightfully compact, easily portable telescope unites the much-heralded parabolic optics of the Orion StarBlast II 4.5" wide-field (f/4.0) reflector telescope with our sturdy EQ-1 equatorial tracking mount and the cable-free AstroTrack motor drive.

The 4.5" aperture reflector telescope's short focal length serves up a generous chunk of sky in the eyepiece, making it easy for beginners to find celestial objects to study. The combination of short 450mm focal length and sizable 4.5" aperture means the StarBlast II 4.5 will provide brighter views at any magnification compared to longer focal length telescopes, which makes it easier for everyone, especially beginners, to locate interesting sights in the night sky.

Observations of everything from the Moon to Messier objects appear exceptionally sharp and rich in contrast through this petite f/4.0 reflector telescope. The adjustable-height aluminum tripod allows you to set the StarBlast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector up for comfortable views, while remaining lightweight so the entire assembled telescope is easy to transport to and from your favorite stargazing location. A useful accessory tray provides a convenient storage spot for idle eyepieces and other accessories.

Use the included AstroTrack drive to keep objects centered for convenient stargazing.

Since this value-packed combo includes the AstroTrack motor drive and EQ-1 equatorial mount, you'll be able to keep your target object centered in the telescope eyepiece with motorized precision. This means you and your friends and family can relax and enjoy the view as long as you wish without the object drifting out of the field of view. The AstroTrack drive attaches directly to the EQ-1 mount's Right Ascension (R.A.) axis without any external cables or wires to worry about. An adjustable analog speed knob lets you control tracking speed for optimal performance, while a handy clutch screw on the drive coupler makes it easy to disengage the motor and allow manual slewing with the motor drive still attached. The AstroTrack drive works in both northern and southern hemispheres, and requires just a single 9V battery (not included) for operation.

Start stargazing with the 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece.

The included 25mm Orion Sirius Plossl eyepiece provides an 18-power view in the StarBlast II 4.5 EQ with a 52� apparent field of view. The 25mm Sirius Plossl is a great eyepiece to use first when you use the telescope each night, since it provides a larger, less magnified window of night sky for you to view. This lower magnification makes it easy to find interesting objects in the night sky.

Increase magnification with the 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece for more powerful views.

After you've scanned the skies with the 25mm Sirius Plossl ocular in the StarBlast II 4.5 EQ, take a closer look at interesting objects by swapping out the 25mm eyepiece with 10mm Sirius Plossl to boost magnification up to 45x. The more powerful view in the 10mm focal length eyepiece makes it easier to see details such as craters and mountains on the Moon, as well as details of bright planets like the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn.

The included Orion EZ Finder II red-dot sight makes aiming the telescope nice and "EZ".

The Orion EZ Finder II reflex sight lets you aim the StarBlast II 4.5 EQ Reflector Telescope anywhere in the night sky. Following a simple alignment procedure, the EZ Finder II projects a small red-dot onto a viewing window, so all you have to do is move the telescope until the red-dot is aimed at the area of sky you want to see in the telescope.

Use the Orion MoonMap 260 to learn more about the lunar features you see in the telescope.

With locations and names of over 260 features on the Moon such as craters, mountains, valleys, "seas" and more, the included Orion MoonMap 260 is a great tool for beginning astronomers. This detailed map will even show you where various spacecraft have landed on the Moon's surface! The MoonMap 260 can be used to plan what to look at on the Moon, and to learn the official names of all the interesting lunar landscape features you see in the StarBlast II 4.5 Reflector Telescope.

If you're looking for an exceptional beginner telescope on a stable mount with slow-motion tracking control, or if you're seeking a second telescope that's more portable than your big "light bucket", then get an Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope. Trust us, you'll have a blast!

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-447-1001.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Product Support

Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more

Specs

Best for viewing

Brighter deep sky
Best for imaging

Lunar & planetary
User level

User level

Level 1 Beginner - Suited for a wide range of uses, these telescopes are simple to operate and set up. Some initial assembly may be required. Very good optical and mechanical quality. Great for families, young people, and folks who don't want to mess with equipment but just want to take a look. Any of these scopes will show you countless lunar craters, Saturn's rings and a myriad of star clusters and nebulas! Referring to the manual is recommended.

Level 2 Intermediate - These scopes offer higher performance and more advanced features than Level 1: Beginner models. They typically take a bit longer to learn and need some set-up or adjustments. But anyone with the slightest technical bent will have no problem getting familiar with these models. Referring to the manual is recommended.

Level 3 Advanced - These scopes provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. They have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but are but on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These scopes will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Level 4 Expert - Expert telescopes offer uncompromising optical and mechanical quality for the most demanding amateur astronomer. They may be technically involved or designed for specialized use, such as astrophotography or detailed deep sky observation. They carry a premium price, but are designed to provide the ultimate performance in the field. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Beginner
Optical design

Optical design

Reflector telescopes use a pair of large and small mirrors to direct incoming light to the eyepiece. Refractor telescopes refract, or "bend" incoming light to a focus by means of an objective lens. Cassegrain telescopes, such as Maksutov-Cassegrains, "fold" incoming light using two mirrors and a front "corrector" lens.

Reflector
Optical diameter

Optical diameter

For telescopes, the optical diameter (also known as aperture) is the size of a telescope's main light-collecting lens or primary mirror, measured in millimeters or inches. Telescopes with larger optical diameters collect more light, which leads to an increase in brightness and image resolution compared to smaller instruments.

For binoculars, the optical diameter (also known as objective lens diameter) is the size of each of the front-facing objective lenses of a binocular measured in millimeters. Binoculars with larger objective lenses collect more light, which increases image resolution and brightness. Binoculars with larger objective lenses are recommended for low light situations, and binoculars with at least 50mm or larger objective lenses are recommended for pleasing astronomical observations at night.

114mm
Focal length

Focal length

The distance from the center of a curved mirror or lens at which parallel light rays converge to a single point. The focal length is an inherent specification of a mirror or lens and is one of the factors in determining resultant magnification for a telescope (along with the focal length of the eyepiece being used).

450mm
Focal ratio

Focal ratio

The focal ratio of an optical system is the ratio of a telescope's focal length to its aperture. Short focal ratios (f/5, f/4.5) produce wide fields of view and small image scales, while long focal lengths produce narrower fields of views and larger image scales.

f/4.0
Optics type

Optics type

Newtonian reflectors will have either a spherical shaped mirror, which is less expensive to produce, or a higher quality parabola, which does not result in spherical aberration. Cassegrain telescopes routinely use spheres in addition to other lenses in the optical path to correct for residual spherical aberration. Refractors use a series of lenses to provide a clear image. Designs range from a standard air-spaced doublet (two lenses in a row) to exotic designs such as oil-spaced triplets and 4-element multi group lenses.

Parabolic
Glass material

Glass material

Refractors use glass lenses to focus the light, and the glass material plays an important role in the quality of the resulting image. Standard achromatic refractors routinely use Crown and Flint for the two elements, but more expensive apochromatic refractors can use ED (extra low dispersion) glass for one or more of the lenses. Reflector mirrors are made from glass with different levels of thermal expansion. Standard mirrors are made from material such as Soda-Lime Plate glass and BK-7 glass. Glass with Pyrex or other low thermal expansion material will not change shape as dramatically during the cool-down period, resulting in more stable images during this period.

Soda-lime plate
Eyepieces

Sirius Plossl 25.0mm,10.0mm (1.25")
Magnification with included eyepieces

18x, 45x
Resolving power

Resolving power

The theoretical resolving power of a telescope can be calculated with the following formula: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 4.56 divided by aperture of telescope (in inches). In metric units, this is: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 116 divided by aperture of telescope (in millimeters). Note that the formula is independent of the telescope type or model, and is based only upon the aperture of the telescope. So the larger the telescope's aperture, the more it is capable of resolving. This is important to keep in mind when observing astronomical objects which require high resolution for best viewing, such as planets and double stars. However, it is usually atmospheric seeing conditions (not the telescope) which limits the actual resolving power on a given night; rarely is resolution less than one arc-second possible from even the best viewing locations on Earth.

1.02arc*sec
Lowest useful magnification

Lowest useful magnification

Lowest useful magnification is the power at which the exit pupil becomes 7mm in diameter. Powers below this can still be reached with the telescope to give wider fields of view, but the image no longer becomes brighter at a lower power. This is due to the fact that the exit pupil of the telescope (the beam of light exiting the eyepiece) is now larger than the average person's dark adapted pupil, and no more light can fit into the eye.

16x
Highest useful magnification

Highest useful magnification

The highest practical limit is different from the often used "highest theoretical magnification" specification. The "theoretical" limit generally is 50x the aperture of the scope in inches (2x the aperture in mm). So for example, an 80mm refractor is capable of 160x, and a 10" telescope is theoretically capable of 500x magnification. But after approximately 300x, theory breaks down and real world problems take over. The atmosphere above us is constantly in motion, and it will distort the image seen through the telescope. This effect may not be noticeable at lower powers, but at higher powers the atmosphere will dramatically blur the object, reducing the quality of the image. On a good night (a night where the air above is steady and the stars aren't twinkling), the practical upper limit of a large telescope is 300x, even thought the theoretical limit may be much higher. This doesn't mean the scope will never be able to reach those higher "theoretical" powers - there will be that rare night where the atmosphere is perfectly still and the scope can be pushed past it's practical limit, but those nights will be few and far between.

228x
Highest theoretical magnification

228x
Limiting stellar magnitude

Limiting stellar magnitude

The limiting stellar magnitude is a measure of the faintest star you can see through the telescope.

12.9
Optical quality

Optical quality

"Diffraction Limited" means that the limits of image detail are determined by the physical properties of light, and not by optical defects in the telescope.

Diffraction limited
Finder scope

EZ Finder II
Focuser

1.25" Rack-and-pinion
Secondary mirror obstruction

34mm
Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter

30%
Secondary mirror obstruction by area

9%
Mirror coatings/over-coatings

Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
Mount type

Equatorial
Astro-imaging capability

Astro-imaging capability

The astro-photographic capability of the telescope is based on the style, stability, and accuracy of the mount and tripod. Telescopes on either very lightweight mounts or non tracking mounts (such as Dobsonians) are capable of only very short exposures such as lunar photographs. If a motor drive is attached to an equatorial mount, even a small lightweight mount is capable of capturing some planetary detail. Larger EQ mounts that utilize very precise tracking and excellent stability are capable of longer exposure deep-sky photography.

Lunar & planetary
Dovetail bar system

Dovetail bar system

A universal attachment system for holding the optical tube onto the tripod. A dovetail bar is attached to the tube rings, then it slides onto the mount itself, making for quick assembly and disassembly.

No
Motor drive compatibility

Motor drive compatibility

A motor drive automatically moves the telescope in right ascension at the same rate as the east-west drift of the stars so stars can be continuously tracked in the eyepiece without manual adjustment. Motor drives are usually equipped with a hand control that allows the telescope's tracking speed to be slightly increased or decreased, which is particularly critical when taking long-exposure astro-images.

Clock drive included
Computerized compatibility

Computerized compatibility

Some mounts are compatible with a motorized Go-To system for fully automated computer finding of objects in the night sky. Others mounts are compatible with computer finding systems which require the user to manually move the mount to the object's position as indicated by the computer finder.

Not compatible
Tracking rates

Sidereal
Bearing material

Friction bearings
Power requirement

9-volt battery
Latitude range

Latitude range

The latitude range refers to the usable range on the EQ mount's latitude axis. If you live above or below the latitude specified, the mount may not be able to polar align properly because of interference with the counterweight shaft or the polar axis housing.

14-70
Setting circles

Yes
Polar-axis scope

Not available
Counterweights

One 4.8 lb.
Tube material

Steel
Tripod material

Aluminum
Counterweight bar length

8 in.
Diameter of counterweight shaft

12mm
Height range of mount

Height range of mount

The height range specification is a measure of the tripod itself - not the eyepiece height. Since telescopes come in all shapes and sizes, the eyepiece height will vary, even when using the same tripod. For an EQ tripod the mount is set up so the counterweight shaft is horizontal, and then the height is measured from the ground to the center of the mounting plate.

32.50 in. - 54.75 in.
Length of optical tube

18.0 in.
Weight, optical tube

4.0 lbs.
Weight, mount/tripod

11.9 lbs.
Weight, fully assembled

20.7 lbs.
Additional included accessories

Collimation cap, Eyepiece rack
Other features

Collimation cap, Moon Map 260
Warranty

Warranty

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.

One year

In The Box

Orion 4.5" f/4.0 reflector telescope optical tube assembly
Orion AstroTrack Motor Drive
25mm Orion Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece (1.25")
10mm Orion Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece (1.25")
Tripod legs
EQ-1 equatorial telescope mount
EZ Finder II reflex sight aiming device
Collimation cap
Tube rings
Counterweight
Counterweight shaft
Tripod accessory tray
Slow-motion control cables
Latitude adjustment T-bolt
Orion MoonMap 260

Shipping Info

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

Standard Delivery: $0.00
Standard Delivery to Canada: $15.00
3 Day Delivery: $40.00
2 Day Delivery: $40.00
Next Day Delivery: $55.00

Reviews

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About Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

Since 1975 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars has been offering telescopes for sale direct to customers, with an unswerving commitment to best quality products, value and unmatched customer care. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee says it all.

Orion offers telescopes for every level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. From our entry level beginner telescopes for amateur astronomers to our Dobsonian telescopes to our most advanced Cassegrain telescopes and accessories, you can find the best telescope for you. Because we sell direct, we can offer you tremendous value at a great price. Not sure how to choose a telescope? Orion's Telescope Buyer's Guide is a great place to start.

Orion binoculars are known for quality optics at a great price. We offer binoculars for every viewing interest, including astronomical binoculars, compact binoculars, waterproof binoculars, birding binoculars, and sport and hunting binoculars.

Orion's telescope and astrophotography accessories will enhance your telescope enjoyment without breaking the bank. Expand your viewing experience with accessories ranging from moon filters to power-boosting Barlow lenses to advanced computerized telescope mounts. Capture breathtaking photos with our affordable astrophotography cameras. And when you're stargazing, Orion's telescope cases and covers, observing gear, red LED flashlights, astronomy books and star charts will make your observing sessions more convenient, comfortable and meaningful.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, & reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!

Why Buy From Orion

Beginner

Use the included AstroTrack drive to keep objects centered for convenient stargazing.

Start stargazing with the 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece.

Increase magnification with the 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece for more powerful views.

The included Orion EZ Finder II red-dot sight makes aiming the telescope nice and "EZ".

Use the Orion MoonMap 260 to learn more about the lunar features you see in the telescope.

User level

Optical design

Optical diameter

Focal length

Focal ratio

Optics type

Glass material

Resolving power

Lowest useful magnification

Highest useful magnification

Limiting stellar magnitude

Optical quality

Astro-imaging capability

Dovetail bar system

Motor drive compatibility

Computerized compatibility

Latitude range

Height range of mount

Warranty

Why Buy From Orion

Why Buy From Orion

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