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Telescopes

There is no best telescope, only the telescope that matches your sky, your targets and how much you are willing to carry. A fast apochromatic refractor and a large Dobsonian are both excellent instruments and almost nothing alike in use. David Astro stocks telescopes in Canada — refractors, reflectors, Dobsonians, Schmidt-Cassegrains, Maksutovs and dedicated astrographs — shipping from Canadian inventory.

Our team observes and images with these instruments under Canadian conditions, and we will tell you honestly when a smaller scope you will actually set up beats a larger one that stays in the closet.

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Orion Optics UK AG14 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00

Orion Optics UK AG14 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

350mm Primary Mirror Diameter 1330mm Focal Length (f/3.8) >50mm Corrected Flat Field Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube Construction 3.4µm On-Axis Spot...

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CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00 - CA$17,100.00
CA$16,623.00
Orion Optics UK AG16 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00

Orion Optics UK AG16 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

400mm (16") Primary Mirror Diameter 1520mm Focal Length at a fast f/3.8 Focal Ratio Corrected Flat Field Size >50mm Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube ...

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CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00 - CA$20,393.00
CA$19,523.00
Orion Optics UK AG20 Optical Tube Assembly Only
CA$41,659.00 - CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00 - CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00

Orion Optics UK AG20 Optical Tube Assembly Only

OOUK-AG20-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY-ONLY

Largest model in the AG Astrograph range Carbon-fibre-sandwich tube CERES 3" (76.2mm) focuser standard Built to order in the UK Description Spe...

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CA$41,659.00 - CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00 - CA$41,659.00
CA$41,659.00
Orion Optics UK AG8 f/3.8 Astrograph OTA
CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00

Orion Optics UK AG8 f/3.8 Astrograph OTA

Options available

200mm (8-inch) Primary Mirror 760mm Focal Length Extremely Fast f/3.8 Focal Ratio 45mm Corrected Flat Field Circle Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube Cons...

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CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00 - CA$7,720.00
CA$7,586.00
Orion Optics UK CT10 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$4,356.00 - CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00 - CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00

Orion Optics UK CT10 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT10-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

250mm (10") Aperture Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length f/4.8 Focal Ratio Guaranteed 1/10 PV Wavefront Optics Carbon Fibre Sandwich Construct...

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CA$4,356.00 - CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00 - CA$4,356.00
CA$4,356.00
Orion Optics UK CT10L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$6,324.00 - CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00 - CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00

Orion Optics UK CT10L Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT10L-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

250mm (10-inch) Aperture 1575mm Focal Length (f/6.3) Guaranteed 1/10 PV Wavefront Optics Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube Construction 12.5kg Optical Tu...

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CA$6,324.00 - CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00 - CA$6,324.00
CA$6,324.00
Orion Optics UK CT12 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$5,702.00 - CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00 - CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00

Orion Optics UK CT12 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT12-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

300mm (12") Aperture f/4 Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length Certified 1/10 PV Wavefront Primary Mirror Carbon Fiber Sandwich Tube Constructio...

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CA$5,702.00 - CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00 - CA$5,702.00
CA$5,702.00
Orion Optics UK CT12L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$6,427.00 - CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00 - CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00

Orion Optics UK CT12L Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT12L-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

300mm (12") Aperture 1590mm Focal Length, f/5.3 Focal Ratio Standard 1/10 PV Wavefront Optics Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube Construction 2" Focuser w...

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CA$6,427.00 - CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00 - CA$6,427.00
CA$6,427.00
Orion Optics UK CT14 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$9,373.00 - CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00 - CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00

Orion Optics UK CT14 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT14-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

350mm (14") Aperture 1600mm Focal Length (f/4.6) Guaranteed 1/10 PV Wavefront Optics Carbon Fibre Sandwich Tube Construction 26kg Optical Tube Wei...

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CA$9,373.00 - CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00 - CA$9,373.00
CA$9,373.00
Orion Optics UK CT16 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$10,616.00 - CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00 - CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00

Orion Optics UK CT16 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT16-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

400mm (16") Aperture 1600mm Focal Length (f/4) 1/10 PV Wavefront Standard Optics Carbon Fiber Sandwich Tube Construction 36kg Optical Tube Weight ...

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CA$10,616.00 - CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00 - CA$10,616.00
CA$10,616.00
Orion Optics UK CT8 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$3,132.00 - CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00 - CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00

Orion Optics UK CT8 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-CT8-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

200mm (8") Aperture 900mm Focal Length (f/4.5) 1/10 PV Wavefront Certified Optics Carbon Fiber Sandwich Tube Construction 7kg Optical Tube Weight ...

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CA$3,132.00 - CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00 - CA$3,132.00
CA$3,132.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 10 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 10 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

250mm (10-inch) Primary Mirror 1200mm Focal Length f/4.8 Focal Ratio Standard 1/6 PV Wavefront Hand-Figured Optics 11kg Nominal Tube Weight Des...

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CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00 - CA$2,495.00
CA$2,257.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 10L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 10L Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

250mm (10-inch) primary mirror diameter 1600mm focal length (f/6.3) Standard 1/6 PV wavefront optical accuracy CNC-machined 9-point suspension mir...

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CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00 - CA$2,514.00
CA$2,277.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 12 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 12 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

300mm (12") Primary Mirror 1200mm Focal Length f/4 Focal Ratio 1/6 PV Wavefront Standard Optics 14kg Tube Weight Description FAQ Specifications...

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CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00 - CA$3,406.00
CA$3,025.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 12L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 12L Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

300mm (12") Primary Mirror Diameter 1600mm Focal Length (f/5.3) 1/6 PV Wavefront Standard Optical Accuracy Eris 2" Rack and Pinion Focuser 16kg No...

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CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00 - CA$3,426.00
CA$3,044.00
CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 14 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

350mm (14") Primary Mirror 1600mm Focal Length (f/4.6) Standard 1/6 PV Wavefront Hand-Figured Optics CNC-Machined 9-Point Suspension Mirror Cell E...

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CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00 - CA$5,994.00
CA$5,579.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 16 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 16 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

400mm (16") Primary Mirror 1600mm Focal Length Fast f/4 Focal Ratio Standard 1/6 PV Wavefront Optics with Zygo Report CNC-Machined 9-Point Mirror ...

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CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00 - CA$8,123.00
CA$7,182.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 6 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 6 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

150mm (6") Primary Mirror 750mm Focal Length (f/5) Standard 1/6 PV Wavefront Hand-Figured Optics Lightweight 4.5kg Aluminium Tube Eris 2" Rack &am...

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CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00 - CA$1,049.00
CA$959.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 6L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 6L Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

150mm (6") Newtonian Reflector Optical Tube 1200mm Focal Length at an f/8 Focal Ratio Certified 1/6 PV Wavefront Primary Mirror Optics CNC-Machine...

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CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00 - CA$1,068.00
CA$978.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 8 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 8 Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

200mm (8") Primary Mirror 900mm Focal Length Fast f/4.5 Focal Ratio Guaranteed 1/6 PV Wavefront Standard Optics CNC-Machined 9-Point Mirror Cell 7...

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CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00 - CA$1,843.00
CA$1,707.00
Orion Optics UK IDEAL 8L Optical Tube Assembly
CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00

Orion Optics UK IDEAL 8L Optical Tube Assembly

Options available

200mm Primary Mirror 1200mm Focal Length (f/6) 1/6 PV Wavefront Standard Optics CNC 9-Point Suspension Mirror Cell Eris 2" Rack and Pinion Focuser...

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CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00 - CA$1,862.00
CA$1,726.00
Orion Optics UK ODK10 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$8,334.00 - CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00 - CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00

Orion Optics UK ODK10 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-ODK10-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

250mm (10") Corrected Dall-Kirkham Optics 1700mm Focal Length at f/6.8 50mm Fully Corrected Flat Image Circle 3.5μm On-Axis Spot Size Carbon Fibre...

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CA$8,334.00 - CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00 - CA$8,334.00
CA$8,334.00
Orion Optics UK ODK10Tr Truss Optical Tube Assembly
CA$11,316.00 - CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00 - CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00

Orion Optics UK ODK10Tr Truss Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-ODK10TR-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

250mm (10-inch) Optimized Dall-Kirkham optics 1700mm focal length at a native f/6.8 focal ratio 50mm fully corrected, flat image circle for large ...

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CA$11,316.00 - CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00 - CA$11,316.00
CA$11,316.00
Orion Optics UK ODK12 Optical Tube Assembly
CA$13,321.00 - CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00 - CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00

Orion Optics UK ODK12 Optical Tube Assembly

OOUK-ODK12-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY

300mm (12") Optimised Dall-Kirkham Optics 2040mm Focal Length at a fast f/6.8 Focal Ratio Covers a greater than 52mm flat imaging circle Delivers ...

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CA$13,321.00 - CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00 - CA$13,321.00
CA$13,321.00

Telescope Designs and What Each Does Best

Aperture gathers light, focal length sets image scale, and focal ratio determines how fast you collect photons. The optical design determines how those three behave in practice.

  • Refractors: Sealed lens systems with high contrast and no central obstruction. Apochromatic triplets and doublets with ED glass are the workhorse choice for wide-field deep-sky imaging.
  • Newtonian reflectors: The most aperture for the money. Fast Newtonians and imaging astrographs deliver bright, wide fields; they need periodic collimation and a coma corrector.
  • Dobsonians: A Newtonian on a simple alt-azimuth base — the most practical route to large aperture for visual deep-sky observing.
  • Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutovs: Long focal length folded into a short tube, ideal for planetary, lunar and small galaxy work where image scale matters more than field width.
  • Solar telescopes: Dedicated hydrogen-alpha instruments for prominences and surface detail, usable in daylight.
  • Astrographs: Optics designed only for imaging, with flat, well-corrected fields across large sensors and no visual compromise.

Why Choose David Astro for Telescopes

A telescope is a system purchase. What goes on the mount, behind the focuser and in front of the sensor matters as much as the tube.

  • Matched to your sky: We ask about your light pollution, your typical seeing and where you observe before recommending an aperture and focal ratio.
  • Complete system quoting: We specify the mount, diagonal, eyepieces or imaging train alongside the tube, so the telescope arrives usable rather than half-usable.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty, verified authenticity, and warranty service handled inside Canada.
  • Canadian stock and safe shipping: Telescopes ship from our Canadian warehouse, avoiding duties, brokerage fees and extra cross-border handling.
  • Collimation and setup support: In-house help with first light, collimation and troubleshooting after the sale.

Telescopes in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good first telescope?
For visual observing, a 6 or 8 inch Dobsonian gives the most aperture for the money and needs no electronics. For imaging, a short apochromatic refractor on a solid equatorial mount is far more forgiving than a large tube.
Can one telescope do both visual and imaging?
Yes, but with compromises. A fast refractor around f/6 handles both reasonably. Long, slow Schmidt-Cassegrains are superb visually and demanding to image with; large Dobsonians are visual instruments.
How much aperture do I need for galaxies?
Visually, dark skies matter more than aperture, though 8 inches and up makes structure visible. For imaging, integration time substitutes for aperture — a small refractor with many hours will out-resolve a large scope with few.
Do telescopes ship safely within Canada?
Yes. Everything in stock ships from our Canadian warehouse, which removes a border crossing and the handling that goes with it, and Canadian buyers pay no duties or brokerage.

Choosing your next telescope?

Tell us your sky, your targets and your budget, and we will recommend a complete working setup. Canadian stock, worldwide shipping.