Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian

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Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
My first telescope. Easy assembly. Mount performs just fine, scope as well.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39696

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
This is the first telescope I have ever owned. I spent a few weeks researching to find a good starter scope that would allow me to grow into the hobby and the XT6 seemed to be perfect both in price and growth potential.

It arrived yesterday and I was able to assemble it very quickly. The optics were slightly out of alignment in all three areas (secondary position, tilt and primary) so I dived right in for my first collimation session. After 30 minutes and a few lessons learned I was done (the collimation tool helped a lot and is a worthwhile expenditure).

I went outside and spend a few minutes sighting the finder scope and then was rewarded with a wonderful view of Jupiter. I tried the 25mm, 10mm and 2x Barlow in all combinations and had no trouble viewing a tracking Jupiter and its moons.

I next spent awhile searching for Saturn (having no real idea where anything is in the sky). I found it and it was as crystal clear as Jupiter was being able to clearly see the rings.

This was actually a Christmas gift from my wife and I am just "testing" the scope out but I will have to at least try out the moon filter on ALL phases of the moon to verify proper operation ;-).

The Orion XT6 is very easy to setup, collimate and track. I recommend it to anyone wanting to get started viewing the heavens.

My next "gifts" will have to be a lenses case, filter set and stool.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39697

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
I purchased this telescope for my wife brand new from Orion. This was far from my first newtonian. The first thing I did was remove the mirror cell to inspect it.
There were several large chips on the sides of the primary. With some RELUCTANCE Orion agreed to replace it. The overall performance of the optics is decent. Star tests indicate 1/4 wave or slightly better. Mirror clips intrude into optical path as does focuser drawtube. Easy to collimate and stays put fairly well. Focuser has way to much play if I don't leave tensioner loose. The motions in altitude and azimuth are acceptable. We use this scope on planets and bright deep-sky objects. With everything I find lacking in this scope the views it provides are much better than I expected. Saturn and Jupiter are better than in a friends LX90. For the money I would definitely reccomend this scope.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
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Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
Tremendous bang for the buck! I briefly had the XT8, but have to climb stairs to observe. The XT8 is not easily carried up flights of stairs as a single unit, so I reluctantly sent it back for the XT6. I needn't have worried. This scope from city skies has actually been better for me. I can easily carry it fully assembled in one hand up the stairs. I know it's only 5 pounds heavier but it's balanced much better. The optics are actually sharper in this XT6 sample than the XT8 I had. I have split the double-double routinely under 100x in the 6, while never under 120x in the XT8. Cassini Division is very apparent in the 19mm Panoptic (63x) in the XT6, while it took over 100x in the XT8 to see it, and never as sharply. I saw the Great Red Spot clearly in the XT6 the other night and I doubt I could have seen it in the XT8 given that I never saw more than 4 cloud bands in it. I've seen 6 clearly in the XT6. I realize that the 6 inch scope is f/8 while the 8 inch is f/6, but didn't expect it to be this much sharper! Of course I could just have gotten a subpar mirror on the XT8. Regardless, this scope is a 10 weighing performance and value! By the way, views on deep sky objects that are availalbe in my skies are so close between the two scopes as to be a non-issue. From a dark site, try them both if you can, but if you're in the city, the XT6 is a great deal.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:8 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=56091

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
The reason I gave the mount and ease of use a "9" is that it is a little stiff when rotating in azimuth. This is the 4th telescope I have purchased in a month. First one was actually an X-mas gift from my wife. A celestron 60GT. I returned it after doing a little research on the web. Bought a Meade DS2114AT from the Discovery Channel store because I had to get a scope as soon as possible. After returning the first one for a shoddy mount, I got the second one assebled o.k. Well, after trying in vain to get anything to come into focus numerous nights, and dealing with the cheap plastic focuser that moved up and down every time you turned the focus knob, and the vibrating mount that was just flat out unacceptable, I returned this one too. After researching much much more, I decided upon the XT6. As soon as I had it assempled I could tell it was better quality. No play in the focuser. All metal parts. Still collimated right out of the box. Had to wait 7 days before I got a clear enough night to check it out. Man, was I giddy! The moon? Simply amazing. Saturn and the cissini division. Jupiter and it's cloud belts and 4 moons a piece of cake for this azazing scope. It cost me the same as the Meade after s&h, and about $100 more than the Celestron, but you cannot, CANNOT compare these scopes. The celsetron was actually better than the meade. But this 6" Dob blew me away. Absolutely for the money, this has to be the best thing out there. If anyone has something better, I'd like to know! So after going through 3 other scopes, this is absolutely the hands down winner.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=59173

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
I finally got to take a look through a premium APO refractor a few nights ago. A Tak fs102, it was truly beautiful! As I spent more time at the eyepiece I realized that the only visual differences between it and my wifes XT6 was slightly better contrast and no diffraction spikes. If you're like me and really can't afford an APO you are not that underpriviledged. Put some flocking paper opposite your focuser and learn how to collimate the scope properly and enjoy what you have!

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
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Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
i finally got sick and tired of reading all the great comments about this scope, so i broke down and ordered one. after i get it i will post my thoughts about its performance, and i plan on doing a side by side comparison with another beginners scope, the etx-90ec.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
had mine out last night for the first time, jupiter in moments of good seeing showed up to six bands, saturns cassini division was easy. double stars were cleanly split and showed good color contrast. the scope was easy to put together and the collimation was simple with the collimation cap that comes with the scope. the focuser is smooth. the finder scope is really good but i do feel a rigel or telrad finder would make it easier to point the scope. the metal tube is really nice and overall the scope looks, feels and performs like something that cost much more than 349 dollars. this is without a doubt the best scope in this size and type i have ever used and orion could be asking much more for the XT series. and compared to the XT8 this scope has slightly better resolution on the planets. highly recomended.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66147

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
Scope arrived with incorrectly sized screws, precluding mounting the telescope. A call to Orion was answered quickly. The tech rep acknowledge it was a problem they were aware of ("Sometimes the connectors for the screws are sunk too deep") and suggested I purchase longer screws. The mirror is excellent for the money. The mount tends to be a bit tight (cut plastic circular washers out of plastic gallon water or milk jugs and insert between the platform around the center bolt to aid movement)but is otherwise very solid with a good carrying handle. The telescope tube features a hand grip under the lip of the scope to aid in aiming, one of the best ideas I've seen for a newtonian body. The focuser is excellent, one of the best on any scope. The finer scope is good but is difficult to use due to the short "legs" - get a right angle scope that you can look in and then go right back to the main eyepiece. The finder scope mount is very good and, though easy to knock out of alignment, is very quick to be realigned. If it were not for the wrong sized bolts this would an easy "9," possibly a 10 overall rating, but sending out scopes with known flaws and leaving it up to the user to fix them is not a practice which would be acceptable in any field other than astronomy. ("My new Ford was delivered without an ignition switch. When I asked about it they said they knew some cars were being shipped without one and suggested I run down to NAPA and buy a new one." See what I mean?)

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Mount:5 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 12 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
got my xt6 yesterday took 50 min to put together and set up . WOW what a beautiful scope . unfortunatly i cant use it today because i have PINK EYE :(

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=72553 

>got my xt6 yesterday took 50 min to put  together and set up . WOW what a beautiful scope . unfortunatly i cant use it today because i have PINK EYE :(


I hope your eye is healing, even though I have a Celestron
8" Dob, I'm thinking of buying an Orion XT6-Classic from their website for a second easy to transport planetary
scope.  Is that a good idea?  The XT6-Classic is only 
$299 with free planetary filters!
Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
A very nice dob for begginers or experienced astronomers alike. Very stable, easy to use and a great value for the am. astronomer.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=77972

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
i have had this scope for a couple of months now and i love it. the optics always amaze me. i have seen better but what really gets me is the overall quality of this scope compared to its price. when comparing to a 4 inch apo the difference is not much, the apo has better contrast and a slightly crisper view than the xt6, but you really have to go back and forth to really see the differences. i have to agree with ed ting when he says one of the frustrating things about this hobby is that you end up spending alot of money just to learn you didnt have to spend alot of money. if you ever get the chance to compare this scope to other more expensive scopes you will understand what he means. looking for that perfect first scope look no further, this is not my first scope but lately has been my favorite and most used. easily portable, a good 6 inches of apeture, and very good optics. easy to assemble and easy to collimate.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=84597

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
Very nice scope for the price. Nice optics.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=95997

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
Out of the box, with just a simple, quick collimation, optics provide good resolution. The XT6 does a good job on double stars, but getting any significant detail out of the larger globular clusters with the XT6 is a bit dicey under "typical" city observing conditions. In a semi-dark location, clusters such as M13 and M22 yield a decent number of resolved stars with typical conditions. Smaller clusters such as M92, M15, and M2 are not so generous and require excellent conditions to show any detail. The XT6 splits the double-double with Orion's 15mm Ultrscopic combined with their Ultrascopic barlow. And in the moments of clear viewing, it can be seen that the split is quite clean. A star test looks good. I think the optics on this scope will make it a good planetary and double star scope, but I can't verify its planetary abilities at this time since the only view I've had of Saturn has been low in the sky on a so-so night.

After owning it for about three weeks, I decided to give it the full-blown optical alignment and collimation. In order to square the focuser with the secondary, I had to remove two of factory screws and use #8 half-inch screws so there would be sufficient length to permit shimming one side of the focuser with two #8 washers on each screw (i.e. four washers total). After the deluxe alignment and collimation, the detail visible through the scope was excellent. Even on nights of mediocre viewing, powers of 200X - 250X are supported with no problems, and close doubles are easily split. It seems like these f/8 six-inchers, when they have been carefully aligned and collimated, are tough to beat when it comes to splitting close doubles and showing detail.

I do have some complaints about the mechanical qualities of the scope.

The mount is rather stiff, probably because the spring tension supplies a little too much tension. When adjusting altitude, there is a tendency of the bearings to initially resist movement then suddenly break loose causing you to go past your target (I think this is called "stiction".). I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I intend to move the teflon base pads a bit closer in to the center to make azimuth movements a little easier; either that or do the milk carton thing.

The focuser is terrible: Being plagued by a ridiculous amount of slop, it's easily the worst I have ever used on a scope (worse than those plastic Meade jobs). There is so much slop in the fit that objects shift considerably when adjusting the focuser in and out. Tightening the tensioner just makes things worse because this presses a plastic bar against the eyepiece tube, and the plastic grabs the drawtube and makes it rock back and forth even more as you turn the adjuster knob back and forth. This also effects one's ability to collimate. With a laser collimator, the red dot will move at least an inch on the main mirror when the focuser knob is turned back and forth. And, as already mentioned, it required a hefty amount of shimming to square the focuser with the secondary. I found that collimating with a Cheshire eyepiece gave the best results. The primary mirror comes with the center already marked -- a nice feature.

I was able to solve the slop by shimming the focuser drawtube with the "vel" part of velcro strip with adhesive backing. I cut two narrow strips from a larger strip and stuck these narrow strips inside the focuser body. After I did that, it occurred to me that sticking a single strip to the tensioner bar might work too. I also cleaned out some chrome chips that had flaked off in the gear mechanism. The shimming and the clean out (mostly the shimming) made a world of difference. I'm wondering if there should have been some additional teflon shims that the manufacturer "forgot" to insert. It's possible that all shimming I had to do to the drawtube is partially responsible for extra shimming of the focuser body in order to get it squared with the telescope.

The instructions mention a 2mm hex key for the smaller adjusting screws on the secondary mirror. On the scope I received, the fit of a 2mm hex key (not supplied with the scope) was so loose as to make me doubtful that these were hex screws. After some experimentation, I found the fit of a 5/64 inch hex key to be correct.

The dinky finder scope is essentially worthless (why do they make these things?). If you don't have one of those red dot finders, get one (and figure the cost of one into your total investment in scope). I'll never understand why dealers don't sell the telescope at a reduced price without options and offer some option packages, at special pricing, for eyepieces and finder scopes so you can decide on the quality and price of the accessories you want instead requiring you to pay for lame accessories and eyepieces you don't want. If they only knew how many scopes I have NOT purchased because I didn't want to pay for the junk accessories. (end of editorial)

Stray light seems to be more of problem with the XT6 than with my 10-inch Dob. My house is located close to an expressway where overhead viewing runs about mag 2.5 give or take a bit. My viewing location is only slightly worse than a Wal-Mart parking lot; so I have LOTS of stray light! I've always read that the smaller Dob should be less affected by city light than the larger Dob; but my experience has been just the opposite. When trying to resolve globular clusters, the stray light does pose a real problem.

For those debating if a 6-inch scope is big enough, some thoughts:

My 10-inch Dob is an excellent Synta-made unit from Oceanside (www.optcorp.com) (essentially, the same thing as the XT10). I have looked through a fair number of 8-inch Dobs and SCT's; and, for deep space observing, the larger scopes do pull in more stuff and resolve more deep space detail. In a crapola viewing location (such as my house), all the extra light negates much of the advantage of the larger scope. But when I go to darker locations, I find that I spend A LOT more time with the 10 than with the 6. So part of your decision should be based on the conditions under which you will use the scope.

I have split the double-double with the 10 only under exceptional conditions. However I, and those who have looked through it, think it shows very good, sharp, images in general. It's relatively short focal ratio (f/5) makes it much touchier about alignment and collimation, and the aperture probably makes it more sensitive to atmospheric turbulence. The 6 is very forgiving of less-than-perfect collimation and routinely splits close doubles with no problems. But in a dark location, the 10 can reveal detail in those deep space objects that the 6 cannot. Also, the two-inch focuser on the 8- and 10-inch scopes is a BIG advantage. Looking through a big, wide-angle eyepiece like the University Optics 40mm Konig MK-70 gives a huge "portal into space" that the 6 can never do (in its stock form). So part of your decision should be based on what you want to spend most of your time looking at -- a case of "the right tool for the job."

Then there is the issue of size and portability. The 10-incher is not much smaller than a 30-gallon hot water heater (non energy efficient model). With the XT6, I can stuff a couple of eyepieces and a barlow in my pockets, grab a stool in one hand (Harbor Freight sells a good pneumatic adjusting stool for about $20), and grab the scope in the other hand. I can grab everything in one trip out of the house.

If one is going to have only one scope and is debating about the size, even though I don't have an 8-inch scoe, I think an 8-inch scope seems like a good compromise between the portability, ease of collimating at least "close enough for government work", sufficient aperture to show some deep space detail, and the ability to give big, rich-field views. For example, the Orion XT8 weighs only about four pounds more than the XT6 (if Orion's published specs are correct), so you have only a little less portability. One thing I do miss with the XT6 are those big, rich-field views that a 2-inch focuser allows when using big, wide-angle eyepieces. Besides providing lovely views of the Milky Way that the XT6 can't come close to matching, those wide views make things a lot easier to find (DEFINITELY an important consideration for somebody learning to navigate the sky). If all you ever did was planetary or double star viewing, then the lack of a 2-inch focuser would probably never be missed. But you WILL eventually want to do some deep sky viewing; and the first time you ever get an eye-full of what a big, 2-inch, wide-angle eyepiece provides, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Optically, the XT6 is excellent, especially after you give it the deluxe alignment and collimation treatment. Detail is fine, but I find the aperture and overall light gathering to be just under what is required to show any significant detail in glubular clusters or for reeling in a nebula (at least to satisfy my tastes). In this aspect, the 10-inch beats the XT6; but the XT6 can split close doubles that the 10 cannot (usually). Mechanically, the XT6 has some rough spots; most notably, a sorry excuse for a focuser on the one I received. And you are paying for a rinky-dink finder scope that you will end up replacing.

Overall, this is a fine scope for when you want something portable, for splitting doubles, and (I suspect) for planetary work. On deep space stuff, the 6-inch aperture is somewhat limiting if you have easy access to a dark viewing location, but you can still see quite a bit with it. If you are forever stuck in a piss-poor viewing location, then the XT6 will probably be just about as good as the larger scopes.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:8 Mount:6 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=129519 

I must say I'm surprised at the lack of quality of your XT6's focuser (image shift).  I went through three products before purchasing my XT6, and returned them all with the focuser being extemely poor in all three.  One was a Celestron refractor, and two were from Meade, both reflecters.  All three of them had an EXTREMEM amount of image shift when I focused in or out, and the Meade focuser was obvious after thought cheap plastic junk.  The instant I first focused with my XT6 is was so overwhelmingly obvious it was better than my previous purchases I knew (or assumed) the rest of the scope would prove as nice, which it did.  Granted I'm an extreme amateur, I still can spot obvious differences in workmanship.  I'm willing to bet if you called Orion they would be happy to exchange your scope.  



>Optics provide good resolution; but my other six-incher, the Celestron CR150HD refractor, shows slightly more detail (albeit with a purple halo around bright objects).  The XT6 does a good job on double stars, but getting any significant detail out of the larger globular clusters with the XT6 is a bit dicey under "typical" city observing conditions.  In a semi-dark location, clusters such as M13 and M22 yield a few resolved stars with typical conditions.  I suspect it would take exceptional conditions to dig any stars out medium clusters such as M92 and M15.  The XT6 splits the double-double with Orion's 15mm Ultrscopic combined with their Ultrascopic barlow.  And in the moments of clear viewing, it can be seen that the split is quite clean.  A star test looks good.  I think the optics on this scope will make it a good planetary and double star scope, but I can't verify its planetary abilities at this time since the only view I've had of Saturn has been low in the sky on a so-so night.
>
>I do have some complaints about the mechanical qualities of the scope.
>
>The mount is rather stiff, probably because the spring tension supplies a little too much tension.  When adjusting altitude, there is a tendency of the bearings to initially resist movement then suddenly break loose causing you to go past your target (I think this is called "stiction".).  I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I intend to move the teflon base pads a bit closer in to the center to make azimuth movements a little easier; either that or do the milk carton thing.
>

[snipped by webmaster]
Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
I recently purchased the Orion XT6 Intelliscope and have been very pleased. The side cutouts in the new Dobsonian base not only make the whole thing lighter, it also makes for convenient carrying handles.

I did not purchase the computer controller, but having the adjustable altitude tension is a definite plus, and the computer can be added at any time (if I want it). My philosophy is that the fun is not in the prize, it is in the chase. I rather like the starhopping method and the feeling I get when I track down that elusive item in the sky.

For suburban viewing I do not feel that going to the 8" version is of much benefit, and the longer focal length of the 6" makes it much more forgiving.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=357633

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
For the aperature and size this is a great scope. I bought mine as a planetary and quick look scope, it gets more use than my 10" for now because it cools quicker and is easier to take outside. On planets it is great, I have had the best views of Saturn with this scope, very contrasty and very sharp. This scope is not as good on DSO as my 10" but I knew that would be the case when I bought it. I have flocked the inside of the scope with protostar flocking paper and upgraded the focuser to a JMI Mini2. In my opinion the stock focuser is the only downside to this scope. This is a nice compliment scope to my 10", but I would probably get the 8" if I was a beginer looking for a first scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=498518

Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
Simple, if your in the market for a telescope GET THIS ONE. I purchased a 6" Meade Dob in 1995, returned it. Thinking that all dobs must be like this, I decided to jump right in and get an 8" SCT. I have used that scope ever since. From about $499 to $1899! Last week I picked up one of these Orion's Intelliscope used. Now thats 13 years of using an 8" SCT, and many many nights observing with 4 different astronomy clubs, so I think I am qualified to say that this scope gives me better images then my 8" SCT! Star images are tighter, and it takes power better too (6mm Ortho and nice star images). Hell, I even glimpsed 6 stars in the Trapesium! Glimpsed yes, I could hint on the 6th, 5th was there averted in moments of good seeing. The Intelliscope accuracy is ok, 6 out of 7 objects, I don't think I found the 1 triple star that I was hunting. I had to train it twice to get it within the accuracy guidelines, but very simple. I have only used it once so far however. Mount movement is a bit stiff in azimuth, but there are a number of after market upgrades <$40 to improve the motion. Altitude movements very smooth. What a wonderful scope. So I recommend NOT buying an 8" SCT and getting this scope with accessories such as Televue Eyepieces, a Red-Dot finder, finder charts just for reference, and a nice observing chair. DON'T do what I did and spend $$$ on a scope, this is going to keep you happy for a very long time. My 8" SCT is going to be collecting some dust for quite some time.

jk

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:7 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=582581 

>Simple, if your in the market for a telescope GET THIS ONE. I purchased a 6" Meade Dob in 1995, returned it. Thinking that all dobs must be like this, I decided to jump right in and get an 8" SCT. I have used that scope ever since. From about $499 to $1899! Last week I picked up one of these Orion's Intelliscope used. Now thats 13 years of using an 8" SCT, and many many nights observing with 4 different astronomy clubs, so I think I am qualified to say that this scope gives me better images then my 8" SCT! Star images are tighter, and it takes power better too (6mm Ortho and nice star images). Hell, I even glimpsed 6 stars in the Trapesium! Glimpsed yes, I could hint on the 6th, 5th was there averted in moments of good seeing. The Intelliscope accuracy is ok, 6 out of 7 objects, I don't think I found the 1 triple star that I was hunting. I had to train it twice to get it within the accuracy guidelines, but very simple. I have only used it once so far however. Mount movement is a bit stiff in azimuth, but there are a number of after market upgrades <$40 to improve the motion. Altitude movements very smooth. What a wonderful scope. So I recommend NOT buying an 8" SCT and getting this scope with accessories such as Televue Eyepieces, a Red-Dot finder, finder charts just for reference, and a nice observing chair. DON'T do what I did and spend $$$ on a scope, this is going to keep you happy for a very long time. My 8" SCT is going to be collecting some dust for quite some time. 
>
>jk

Direct comparison to my 8" SCT. Oh yes, 8" Celestron Ultima 8 PEC, considered by many to be the finest 8" SCT ever made. 

Last night I observed, I mean really took in and observed every minute detail of the nebula with the Orion. The view was stunning. Compared to my 8" SCT, I loved the tight star images and the amount of detail was equal if not better in my opinion because of the wider field of view of in the 6". I used the same eyepieces btw. Oh, and I barlowed a 6mm Ortho in the Orion and it STILL held up the image. 

I viewed directly, thats DIRECTLY 6 stars in the Trapesium with the Orion, my 8" SCT I could see the 5th, but only very very hints of the 6th. Again the tight star images of the 6" impressed me. I had a level of simplicity and comfort viewing that I had never had with my 8" SCT. Just a $17 folding stool and 3 eyepieces w/barlow and I was happy. Maybe my old 8" SCT friend is out of collimation, but it sure looked aligned to me. Maybe something else going on with it, don't know but it was simply bested by the 6" Orion Intelliscope. HIGHLY Recommended!
Orion SkyQuest XT6 (Intelliscope) Dobsonian
I've used alot of telescopes in over 30 years in this hobby. The Orion 6" Intelliscope is one of my favorites. This is a scope for getting back to the basics of visual observing...a couple of eyepieces and something to sit on for a night beneath the stars. The object locator (COL) has been very accurate on mine..allowing me to spend more time viewing objects instead of trying to find them. Just be sure to get your initial vertical tube alignment as stated in the instructions when setting up this scope the first time. The setup is relatively portable, even with someone with a bad back. The 6x30 right angle finder is adequate and the focuser not really bad at all. The optics on mine seem pretty decent. Star collimation using Polaris allows you to get pretty tight images.
Open star clusters are a real pleasure, Saturn is lovely and Mars shows detail. I could have purchased the 8" model for bit more money, but I chose the 6" to save a bit more on weight. After all, the best scope is the one used the most.
The only cons would be minor. The 4 vane spider produces diffraction spikes with cause a minor nuisance on Jupiter..the altitude tension adjustment screw wants to unscrew as the scope is moved in altitude, but this is easily fixed by looping a rubber band under it to provide some resistance. The well known "stiction" of the azimuth bearing on these scopes can be annoying but not too much of a concern.
As someone has already posted, you could spend alot more on an advanced scope and not do any better.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:8 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=592717

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