Is Orion SkyQuest XT6i Computerized IntelliScope any good?

[Lou H]

Orion SkyQuest XT6i Computerized IntelliScope
Locate more than 14,000 fascinating celestial objects with pushbutton ease with included controller
150mm aperture and 1200mm focal length (f/8.0) for brighter, more detailed images
Features a streamlined Dobsonian base for unflinching stability and superior balance
Includes 2 eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, and FREE Starry Night astro software
One-year limited warranty


This remarkable telescope combines powerful 150mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in one nicely portable package. And with the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, even the novice stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the Computerized IntelliScope's databank. It's like having your own personal tour guide to the universe!

You just select an object to observe using the Object Locator's illuminated menu buttons (Galaxies, Clusters, Nebulas, etc.), or choose a pre-set tour of the best objects, then press Enter. The IntelliScope's high-resolution, 9,216-step digital encoders direct the telescope right to the object, placing it squarely in the telescope eyepiece.

The Orion SkyQuest XT6i Computerized IntelliScope houses a big 150mm parabolic mirror with 80% more light grasp than a 4.5" mirror, for brighter, more detailed images. The streamlined Dobsonian telescope base offers unflinching stability yet easy portability.

The telescope comes equipped with a 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser, telescope eyepiece rack, navigation knob, two Plossal telescope eyepieces, and now a 6x30 right-angle correct-image finder scope.

Whether you use your XT6i Computerized IntelliScope with or without the Object Locator (you can always add it later), find out just how fun a smarter, well-made beginner's telescope can be. One year limited warranty.

If not then what is good for $399.95?

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[bullseye]

Yes, I own a 10 inch Orion XTi. The scope works just great, and even the 10 inch is very portable.

However the 8 inch size would be better. The hand controller will help you find objects even in a light polluted sky.

 

[Andrew S]

The focuser could be better but you can say that about pretty much any scope in the price range. I personally don't like right angled finders on Dobs since they are too confusing - the image is mirrored with respect to what you see through the scope. Essentially, though , it is a perfectly respectable scope.

People will say that you are spending money on electronics instead of optics but I would be slightly sceptical about that in this case. Yes, more aperture would be welcome and a pure manual scope would give you that on the same budget. However, if you are planning on observing under light polluted skies then star hopping can be difficult, and you lack setting circles on a Dob, so the computer may well prove its worth. Push-to configurations such as this are cheaper than full goto systems anyway.

 

[Geoff G]

I've owned one of these for four years, and have been very pleased with it. The optics are excellent, the mechanics as well, and the computer accurately finds objects. My only recommendation would be to consider getting the 8" or 10" version: very slight additional cost and bulk, but a lot brighter images.