Zhumell Telescope Models, Evaluations, and Rankings: A Comprehensive Guide
Casual Chat about Zhumell: A Tiny Telescope Brand With a Big Impact
Zhumell, a underdog brand of telescopes, is owned by Hayneedle, a mega e-commerce company that was gobbled up by Jet.com, a subsidiary of Walmart. Over the past few years, it looks like Hayneedle is trying to ditch the amateur telescope market, which could potentially spell the end of Zhumell. Whether this departure happens anytime soon is up in the air, but we'd surely miss Zhumell if it did.
Zhumell's telescope lineup includes their Z-series tabletop Dobsonians, full-sized Z series Dobsonians, some budget-friendly refracting and reflecting telescopes, and various accessories like a decent laser collimator, a photo tripod, an average 1.25" eyepiece/filter kit, a 2" 2x Barlow, basic filters, binoculars, and a few low-quality telescopes. Few other big-name brands offer a product line this slim, particularly those catering to beginners like Zhumell.
The Quality Journey of Zhumell Telescopes
The origin of Zhumell's products is a mystery, perhaps a factory in China, but their 8", 10", and 12" Z-series Dobsonians are crafted by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan. These telescopes offer great value, and the GSO-produced optics are top-notch. My latest Zhumell telescope, a Z8, tested almost as well as a high-end mirror of the same aperture, with only minor undercorrection compared to its near-perfect counterpart, which I shelled out over a grand for! The accessories included with the larger Z series scopes are fantastic for the price, although the mini Z series tabletop scopes come with lackluster eyepieces. Zhumell is one of many companies importing GSO telescopes and accessories, but it's the most well-known among novice astronomers.
Their customer service is dependable, and the craftsmanship on all but Zhumell's cheapest telescopes and accessories is solid, as expected, given that they're produced by GSO.
Our Take on Zhumell Telescopes
- Zhumell Z100
- Zhumell Z8
- Zhumell Z12
Where to Snag a Zhumell Telescope
- Amazon
- HighPointScientific
- TelescopesPlus
Insights:
As of mid-2025, there's no official confirmation that Hayneedle has abandoned the amateur telescope market, but many murmurs and hints have been circulating in astronomy forums and retailer circles. Despite the uncertainty, Zhumell telescopes—especially the popular Dobsonian models—are still referenced and available through various channels. For instance, Zhumell is still esteemed as a provider of 8-inch Dobsonian telescopes with good optics and useful accessories, and these models continue to be recommended for beginners and intermediates [3]. Additionally, some public libraries, like the Virginia Beach Public Library, still list Zhumell portable altazimuth reflector telescopes among items that can be borrowed, signifying their continuing impact in community programs [1].
In conclusion, the future of Zhumell under Hayneedle might remain nebulous, but Zhumell telescopes endure as solid, budget-friendly options in the market [3][1]. Sourcing new units directly from the original brand may become more challenging as the situation unfolds.
- For beginners venturing into space-and-astronomy, Zhumell's optics in their 8", 10", and 12" Z-series Dobsonians, crafted by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO), offer a cost-effective means to explore the universe.
- Technology and science enthusiasts might find useful accessories like laser collimators, photo tripods, and 1.25" eyepiece/filter kits, along with basic filters and binoculars, available for purchase with Zhumell telescopes.
- Dependable customer service and solid craftsmanship, aside from the additional appeal of top-notch optics, make Zhumell an attractive choice, even in the face of industry rumors about potential changes in the company's focus.
