FIRST LIGHT
StellaLyra 8-inch f/6 Dobsonian
Large aperture plus portability? This robust all-rounder strikes the perfect balance
VITAL STATS
• Price £429
• Optics Newtonian reflector, parabolic primary mirror
• Focal length 1,200mm, f/5.9
• Finderscope 8×50 rightangled
• Eyepieces 30mm 2-inch Superview, 9mm 1.25-inch Plössl
• Extras 2-inch focus extension tube, 2-inch to 1.25-inch eye pieceadaptor, cooling fan, eyepiece tray
• Weight 20.9kg
• Supplier First Light Optics
The StellaLyra 8-inch f/6 Dobsonian is made by well-regarded manufacturer Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan, and arrived in two boxes, one for the optical tube, and the other containing all the accessories and the flat-packed base. Also included were an 8×50 right-angled finderscope, 30mm 2-inch Superview eyepiece, 9mm 1.25-inch Plössl eyepiece and a 35mm 2-inch focus extension tube. The manual is available to download from First Light Optic’s website. The assembly instructions consisted of a single image, which was fairly easy to interpret, though beginners might benefit from a more thorough step-by-step manual. Nevertheless, we had it set up in 25 minutes.
The build quality was largely excellent, with minimal plastic and robust accessories. We did note that the base was made from chipboard and some edges were not fully coated with paint. While it was strong and solid, this could make it vulnerable to moisture. While the assembled setup is heavy, the tube is easily lifted away from the base, which itself can then be carried using a handy carry handle. The StellaLyra is therefore relatively easy to move around.
Adjusts with ease
We were impressed by the large collimation knobs and were able to collimate the optics in under five minutes. Next, we used the altitude adjusters on the side of the tube to balance the setup – again, an easy process thanks to the large adjustment knobs, a nice addition by StellaLyra. The built-in tension adjustment allowed us to get the right amount of resistance for tilting the tube, while the base also had a separate tension adjuster that allowed us to customise the resistance of the ‘lazy Susan’-style swivel base.
Ready to put the Dobsonian through its paces, we popped the 30mm eyepiece in, finding we could not focus. However, adding the provided extension tube resolved this. Oncc focused, the field of view was lovely and flat, with stars sharp from edge to edge.
The manoeuvrability of the reflector on its base was very smooth and we found it easy to make minor adjustments. First up in our tour of the skies, we popped over to a waning Moon. While the aperture meant that the Moon was very bright, we felt we could almost reach out and touch the craters and we enjoyed exploring the surface while waiting for the skies to darken a little more.
Keen to see some deep-sky objects, we starhopped across to Hercules for the Great Globular Cluster, M13. Using the right-angled finder allowed us to do this easily and the only improvement we felt could be made was the addition of a red-dot finder for those new to astronomy. Switching to the 9mm eyepiece provided very clean views of the cluster and we were able to resolve stars in towards the core. Optically, we had no complaints about the 9mm, but noted that it gave little eye relief, which took a bit of getting used to. In terms of build quality, while it was a metal eyepiece, we didn’t think it was quite in the same league as the 30mm.
Encouraged, we decided to try M57, the Ring Nebula, and through the 9mm eyepiece we were able to see a fair bit of detail and structure. Keen to test the 9mm a little further, we popped across to the Double Double star, Epsilon Lyrae, which we weren’t quite able to split into its four parts, but we had no problems resolving Mizar (Zeta Ursae Majoris).
The StellaLyra remains just on the right side of portability and, thanks to the robust collimation system, should hold alignment if moved around. We thoroughly enjoyed trying out this 8-inch Dobsonian, which despite packing plenty of resolving power is the smallest aperture in the StellaLyra Dobsonian range. Indeed, we lost track of time scanning the night sky. With its complete set of accessories, it will keep astronomers happily stargazing for years to come.
Ideal optics for an all-rounder
The 8-inch aperture makes the StellaLyra a brilliant all-rounder telescope for both beginner and intermediate astronomers. The diameter opens opportunities for lunar, planetary and deep-sky viewing, which not only encourages those new to astronomy, but provides enough stargazing potential to keep more seasoned amateurs interested. The 1,200mm focal length gives a good balance of providing decent fields of view for both larger and smaller deep-sky objects, through the use of higherand lower-powered eyepieces, but it is the aperture that optimises the StellaLyra’s light-gathering ability, while still allowing it to be a portable setup.
Thanks to the fields of view provided, pleasing levels of detail can be resolved from fainter, delicate objects, including star clusters and galaxies. And because of the focal length and the Dobsonian design, the eyepieces are at a comfortable level, meaning you can stargaze while sitting down. For grab-and-go convenience, the optical tube assembly can then be removed from the base and carried using the altitude adjusters as handles. enjoyed exploring the surface while waiting for the skies to darken a little more.
KIT TO ADD
1. StellaLyra Premium Cheshire Collimating Eyepiece
2. StellaLyra ED Deluxe 2-inch 2x Barlow lens
3. Astro Essentials ND96-0.9 1.25- inch Moon filter
VERDICT
