Orion telescope is closed so now what

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Orion Telescopes, a trusted name since 1975, ceased operations in mid-2024 due to light pollution, supply chain issues, and competition from advanced automated telescopes. Orion telescope is closed, and their website, Telescopes.com, is now offline. Meade's website remains operational. Both brands are owned by Optronic Technologies, Inc. Updates will follow.

For amateur astronomers and stargazing enthusiasts, Orion Telescopes has long been a trusted name. Founded in 1975, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars offers a wide range of high-quality optical equipment that caters to everyone from beginners to seasoned astronomers.

Orion Telescopes and Binoculars ceased operations in mid-2024 due to a combination of factors. These include challenges in the astronomy hobby, such as increased light pollution and the rise of more advanced, automated telescope systems that appeal to modern sensibilities and technology preferences.

Orion telescope is officially offline

Additionally, Orion faced significant business hurdles, including supply chain issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and competitive pressures from international commerce. The company's ownership changes and the financial strain of acquiring Meade Instruments in 2021 added to the complexity of their operations. Unfortunately, these factors led to the closure of their California offices and the termination of their website.

These developments reflect broader trends in amateur astronomy, where traditional telescope companies are struggling to compete with new technologies and changing consumer preferences.

Telescope.com is offline, so now what?

The telescope.com website is officially a dead end. Despite this, Meade's official website, Meade.com, remains operational, continuing to offer information and support for its products. Meade Instruments and Orion Telescopes & Binoculars are owned by the same parent company, Optronic Technologies, Inc. Orion acquired Meade in 2021, forming an affiliate known as Meade Acquisition Corp. As we gather more updates on this situation, we will post them here to keep the community informed.

Orion and Meade face strong competition, so we compiled a list of their competitors, appealing to both amateur and professional astronomers. To explore some of the alternatives, click the links below to view their marketplace profiles.