RVO Horizon 8-inch f/4 imaging Newtonian

Want to photograph large nebulae and galaxies? This big, fast scope is no slouch

- WORDS: JIM OWEN

The term 'light bucket' is often used to describe large-aperture Newtonian telescopes due to their impressive photon-gathering capabilities. Rother Valley Optics's (RVO) 8-inch offering from its Horizon range is no exception. This Newtonian boasts a fast focal ratio of f/4, making it primarily designed for astrophotography, but you can also use it for visual observation. We were excited to try it out on some deep-sky targets, with a few clear nights on the horizon granting the perfect opportunity to put it through its imaging paces.

Opening the box, we were presented with a robust, white steel tube with attractive RVO labelling, mount rings and 335mm dovetail bar. The package includes a handy 8mm x 50mm multi-coated achromatic finderscope, as well as a 2-inch to 1.25-inch adaptor, 35mm extension tube and 12V battery power pack for the built-in tube-cooling fan.

We found the telescope required collimation before capturing test images. Given the fast focal ratio of this Newtonian reflector, precise alignment was crucial. After allowing the telescope to acclimatise to the outdoor temperature, we began collimating. The Horizon's large adjustment bolts for the primary mirror are easy to find and adjust, and the Phillips-head screws for the secondary mirror proved a user-friendly experience.