Orion telescopes and binocular deals 2024: Save big on Orion optics

Orion SkyScanner 100
(Image credit: Orion)

The best Orion telescopes and binoculars deals have been spotted from a range of reputable retailers and are highlighted below.

Some of the very best telescopes and budget telescopes under $500 are Orion models and you can find worthwhile discounts in this guide. If you're new to astronomy or looking to inspire a budding astronomer, It could be worth checking out our guide to telescopes for beginners as Orion telescopes feature there too. When new Orion telescopes and binoculars deals appear, we'll add them below and we'll remove any expired discounts too, as we keep this page updated year-round.

Of course, Orion isn't the only manufacturer of high-quality optics, so if you don't find something suitable below, it could be worth scrolling through our Celestron, Meade Instruments, Vixen and Sky-Watcher deals guides.

It's worth remembering that telescopes aren't the final word in astronomy. The best binoculars can offer stunning night sky views and can be a cost-effective alternative, even if you bag one of the top telescope deals. While this guide also highlights some top binoculars deals, offers on Orion models can prove tricky to spot, so we've also included some of our favorite models and displayed them with their lowest available price. So, for the best Orion telescopes and binoculars deals on the market, scroll down below.

Today's best Orion telescope deals

Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope Was $350 Now $273 from AliExpress. 

Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope Was $350 Now $273 from AliExpress

Save 22% on a telescope that features in our guide to the best budget telescopes under $500.We think it's the best budget option for viewing deep space. It provides crisp, wide-angle views, it is well-built and it comes with a number of accessories to enhance your experience.

Orion Observer 80ST 80mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope now $149.99 on Amazon

Orion Observer 80ST 80mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope now $149.99 on Amazon

Save $20 on this refractor telescope when you grab it on Amazon. Here, you get a few extra accessories to add to your stargazing experience including two Barlow lenses, a moon map, an observers guide book, a keychain flashlight, a tripod and more. 

Note: This isn't technically a deal but is the lowest price we've seen in years on this model. 

Orion StarBlast 102mm travel telescope now $179.99 on Amazon. 

Orion StarBlast 102mm travel telescope now $179.99 on Amazon

Get Amazon's lowest-ever price on a solid choice for novice astronomers. It features a 102mm aperture, allowing plenty of light to pass through. It also comes with a tripod, a panning handle, two Plossl eyepieces, a carry bag and a moon map.

Note: This isn't technically a deal but was on offer for this price recently and it is Amazon's lowest-ever price. 

Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian Was $349.99 Now $329.99 on Amazon.

Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian Was $349.99 Now $329.99 on Amazon.

Save $20 (6%) on a compact telescope that features a large 5.3-inch aperture to deliver bright views, a moon map, eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens to improve magnification.

Today's best Orion binoculars deals

Orion Giant View ED Waterproof Binoculars now $299.99 on Amazon.

Orion Giant View ED Waterproof Binoculars now $299.99 on Amazon.

These 20x80 binoculars feature 80mm extra-low dispersion lenses for maximum light passing through and clear views of your targets. You also get a lens cap, neck strap, carry bag and a tripod mount for your money. 

Note: This isn't technically a deal but is the same price as when it was previously on sale.

Which Orion telescope should you buy?

When it comes to the best Orion telescope and binoculars deals, experience is irrelevant. The range of Orion products on the market to suit everyone from first-timers to seasoned astronomers is impressive and that means you should be able to find a discount on whatever type of telescope you're looking for. If you're looking for something easy to use and to give you an effective viewing experience, the Orion Observer II 60 mm telescope is less than $100. If you're a serious skywatcher and want to splash the cash then the Orion SkyQuest XX16g GoTo Dobsonian for around $4,000 is a great option (although it's hard to find in stock at the moment).

When it comes to astrophotography, Orion's series of astrographs lead the market too. Again, there's something for everyone and every budget, as those looking to get the best images possible while saving every penny can opt for a reflector whereas Ritchey-Chrétien models are available if you're looking to make an investment too.

If you're looking for something for around $100 then we recommend the Orion SpaceProbe II 76 mm. It provides good views of the moon's surface, planets and brighter galaxies and nebulas. It's less expensive than a lot of other telescopes on the market and it's easy to set up and assemble, which is handy as it means you're ready to observe your night sky targets within minutes.

However, if you're a beginner looking for more detailed views of deep-sky targets then you'll want a telescope with a larger aperture. If you're willing to invest a little more in your telescope then something to consider is the Orion StarMax and Orion SkyQuest XT lineup of telescopes for great contrast and clarity through the optical system. It's worth reminding that the larger the aperture, the higher the price tends to be.

Heading into hobbyist territory, skywatchers often look to invest more in a telescope — especially when it comes to upgrading. For intermediate skywatchers, who have experience with advanced equatorial mounts and don't require the assistance of a computerized setup, we recommend the Orion AstroView 120ST EQ refractor or the Orion StarMax 127 mm for breathtaking views of the solar system and deep sky.

The computerized telescope, also known as a GoTo, isn't aimed at any particular level of experience and is enjoyed by beginners and seasoned skywatchers. If you would rather have the telescope do all of the tracking and aligning for you, and at the touch of a button, then the Orion StarSeeker IV 150 mm GoTo is a worthy investment alongside the Orion SkyQuest XX 12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian. You should look to spend between $500 and $4,500 on one of these revolutionary instruments, depending on the size of the telescope's objective lens or mirror.   

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Gemma Lavender
Contributing expert

Gemma currently works for the European Space Agency on content, communications and outreach, and was formerly the content director of Space.com, Live Science, science and space magazines How It Works and All About Space, history magazines All About History and History of War as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) kids education brand Future Genius. She is the author of several books including "Quantum Physics in Minutes", "Haynes Owners’ Workshop Manual to the Large Hadron Collider" and "Haynes Owners’ Workshop Manual to the Milky Way". She holds a degree in physical sciences, a Master’s in astrophysics and a PhD in computational astrophysics. She was elected as a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2011. Previously, she worked for Nature's journal, Scientific Reports, and created scientific industry reports for the Institute of Physics and the British Antarctic Survey. She has covered stories and features for publications such as Physics World, Astronomy Now and Astrobiology Magazine.

With contributions from
  • Left Coast Geek
    Caveat Emptor.
    https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/meade-and-orion-cease-operations-maybe/
    Reply
  • Classical Motion
    Wow, that's a shame to hear.

    I seriously doubt we'll ever see low cost high quality products manufacturing here in the US again. I don't believe it can be brought back. They charge a house price for a carriage. Sorry I don't call that manufacturing.

    If I were going to manufacture a gadget I wouldn't attempt it here. The societal tyranny is just as bad as the bureaucratic tyranny. Tyranny is always expensive.

    How is society going to react to it's own tyranny? Has this happened before? It's seems so foreign to me.

    A stranger in my own land. And I'm the stranger.
    Reply
  • Left Coast Geek
    Orion hasn't made anything significant in the USA since forever. Even in the 80s, their house branded telescopes were made by the likes of Vixen in Japan, and later various Taiwanese/Chinese firms like Synta, GSO.
    Reply
  • Lion's Den
    I got a made-in-Japan Orion variable-polariser, way back when. I finally saw the festoons and whorls within Jupiter's equatorial bands with the polariser, through my Orion "StarBlast 6" OTA from 2012, nigh tack-sharp, perhaps too sharply, if such were possible. The event occurred round 2015, and during a few moments of excellent seeing.

    Even at round 180x, the Newtonian was collecting too much light, with Jupiter still washed-out, a greyish-white orb, no detail whatsoever; still with the four flares caused by the spider-vanes, jutting out from the planet, but somewhat shorter at that higher power. It was at that point when I integrated the polariser. The view appeared as a NASA television broadcast, that is, on a 1960s CRT colour-console.

    Yesterday, I opened a case with PayPal to get a refund on a backordered ST80 OTA. I've got until the 10th to change my mind. If not, I'll get an Omegon.

    Reply