Ursa Major 8” f/6 Dobsonian

1 review for Ursa Major 8” f/6 Dobsonian

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Patrick Zimmer – March 23, 2025

   I’ve been using the Ursa Major 8” f/6 Dobsonian for a few months now, and I’m genuinely impressed with what it offers for £369. As my first serious scope, it’s been a fantastic step into astronomy. Setting it up was straightforward — the instructions from First Light Optics were clear, and I had it assembled in under 30 minutes. The build feels solid for the price; the wooden base is sturdy, and the Teflon bearings make it smooth to nudge around the sky.

   Optically, it’s a treat. The 8-inch mirror pulls in plenty of light, and I’ve had crisp views of Jupiter’s bands and Saturn’s rings with the included 9mm eyepiece. The 25mm Plössl is great for wider views — the Pleiades looked stunning, though I did notice a bit of edge distortion, which is expected at this price point. The f/6 focal ratio strikes a nice balance; it’s forgiving on collimation (which I’ve only tweaked once) and works well with my cheaper eyepieces.

   The 2” Crayford focuser is a standout — smooth and precise, and it’s nice to have the option for 2” eyepieces down the line. The finderscope took a bit of getting used to, but once aligned, it’s been reliable for star-hopping. At about 18kg, it’s not the lightest, but it breaks down into two manageable pieces, and I can fit it in my car boot without much hassle.

   It’s not perfect — under light-polluted skies, faint galaxies are still tricky, and there’s no motorized tracking, so I’m nudging it constantly for planets. But for the money, it’s hard to beat. I’ve already recommended it to a friend starting out — it’s a brilliant all-rounder that’s kept me excited about observing!