Orion SkyQuest XT6 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

I did a lot of research and watched a ton of videos before buying this scope. I found it was the best bang for the buck. I'm just a beginner but I didn't want a beginner telescope that I would need to upgrade later. I felt this was a good mid level telescope. I had to wait a week or so because of clouds to test it out but my first night out (I mean very first time even trying to look for anything ever. Complete beginner.) I looked up and found some bright stars. I was able to pull up celestron app and found it was Orions belt. Started star hopping and found Beatlegeuse. Even Mars. I could even see Orions nebula from my light polluted back yard in the city. Without the scope I can only see 10 or 15 stars. But when I look in the eye piece I can see thousands. A couple nights later I took it out again after waiting for more clear skies (it's rain season at the moment) the moon was out this time. We couldn't see as many stars because the moons light (I think) and was also a little hazy. But when looking at the moon the wife and I couldn't believe the details this telescope provided. From the naked eye, the moon was just a sliver. I will post a picture. I can't wait to take this bad boy camping in the mountains with no light pollution and see what's really out there. The scope came collimated already but with all the clouds lately I have been practicing collminating. Took a bit to get the hang of but Orion has good videos and I can collminate this scope in a couple minutes now. I found this scope easy to use and setup. I have seen reviews on other Orion listings bashing the Ez finder scope but I have no issues using it. Was easy to dial in and I just put the red dot on a star or object then look in the eye piece and the object is there. The Ez finder works great people!!!! Also, Orions customer service is 100%. (Update a few days later) Woke up at 4:30 AM because I found out that Jupiter, Saturn and Venus would be visible. Pulled up my app to know where to look then with the Ez finder I put the dot on Jupiter and looked through the scope and it was right there. Amazing. Unfortunately it was too bright to see any details but looked like a bright ball with 4 moons around it. I will be ordering a filter kit so I can see the bands and hopefully the storm. Next stop Saturn. Just as easy to find with the Ez finder. Saturn looked unreal. It's small but can perfectly see the rings. Was worth waking up early for. Went to back to bed before Venus could come over the horizon. I couldn't get a picture of Jupiter and Saturn because it is too hard being that zoomed in and this telescope really isn't meant for taking pictures. I did buy a cell phone mount adapter so I can get better pictures of at least the moon. I will post updated picture. If I manage to get decent pictures of Saturn and Jupiter I will come back and post it. This is the first telescope I have ever owned or used and in one week I have seen Orion and nebula. The moon. Mars. Jupiter. Saturn. If I stayed awake a little longer I could have seen Venus, maybe I will tomorrow morning. I definitely recommend this telescope.

My wife and I bought this for our 13 year old daughter and she LOVES it! Once I showed her how to set the telescope up and focus it she was hooked. She first time she looked through it she cried at the beauty she saw. Now THAT’S a response to a gift that every parent dreams of. This Orion telescope was recommended to me by a pastor friend who has an astronomy ministry and has forgotten more about telescopes than I will ever know. I looked at the XT8 but the price jump was a little much for her first telescope. Once I saw her reaction, I kinda wish I’d made the jump. My hope is that she takes this scope with her one day and I’ll have an excuse to buy a bigger one. The telescope came in two boxes. One for the tube, mirror and lenses and one for the base. Assembly was VERY simple. The base was the only thing that needed assembly. As a matter of fact my daughter put the base together and calibrated the telescope herself. She WOULDN’T let me help. Everything else were things that you’ll be taking on and off between viewings anyway. The telescope and base is very well made and feels as though it will take a beating. To set up for viewing the stars, plan on making two trips if you’re by yourself. There’s a picture of a big guy carrying the scope under one arm and the base in the other hand. I’m a big guy as well and could pose for a picture like that but not carry it any distance safely. It’s not so much the weight as it is the bulk. It’s best to take the base out to the location first and get it set up nice and level, THEN bring the telescope. We plan on enjoying this telescope for many, many years. There really is nothing better than staying connected with my teenage daughter for a few more years while enjoying God’s beautiful creation.

The EZ Finder II viewfinder did not work when I received the scope about on Dec 20, 2020. I tried calling the company, was put on hold for 15 min then disconnected (maybe not their fault). i sent an email, got an automated reply they would contact me shortly but never did get a reply back. I looked at the finder scope more carefully, place a wad of aluminum foil underneath the battery and viola, the view finder worked. Have only used the scope 3 times. imagery appears to be reasonably good.

On my first try of actual viewing, I was able to see the craters of our moon, Jupiter’s moons and Jupiter’s stripes, Saturn’s rings, Saturn’s moons! As a first time telescope user, this telescope is by far the best experience I could recommend for any amateur astronomer. The initial packaging came in 2 separate boxes and it may seem intimidating at first but trust me it was easy to construct and set up, it’s just like building a table. The most important thing was making sure the red dot view finder was in sync with the eyepiece so I had to find a tree during daytime to get this started. Once that was done, it was easy to find anything. Glad I got this one because it was very stable and not shaky like a tripod. It’s pretty big and a little heavy but if you’re strong enough to carry a sack of dog food, this won’t be a problem. By the way, don’t shine a flashlight through the telescope and look through, I was dumb enough to do that and I thought I blinded myself, good thing i had fast reflexes to look away, lol I’m just glad I wasn’t dumb enough to look at the sun with the telescope. You can tell this is my first time lol. All in all, I think this is a great awesome telescope for amateurs and professionals, it’s worth every penny.

This is my first telescope. Purchased after some research. Lockdown and staying at home has been a driver... So far I had a couple of sessions. The telescope is the 150mm lense version 6 plus and I am glad I didn't get the 8 or 10 inches lense as it is quite a beast... I can use it from the inside to look through velux and other windows as well as outside. Bulky to move but not heavy and carrier handle works well. Finding the spot you want to view works really well with the red dot finder. Initially I found Venus and was rewarded with a cresent as it was illuminated sideways. The images are sharp once you get used to viewing it. Keeping both eyes open helps me personally. The moon looks great too via the various eye pieces. Very pleased overall and looking forward to seeing the giants especially Saturn. Recommended

Amazing telescope!! Took few weeks to get delivered but worth it. Slightly bigger than expected but still easy to move around. Took about 30 min to fully mount. Instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Pointed that to Saturn and Jupiter right away and got fabulous image. Even true slight cloud and where they were not visible anymore with naked eye i still got good vision. Pretty impressive if i compare with my 114 mm. Comes well equipped. I tough it comes with solar filter because sone review were saying so but it does not. Will buy one anyway. Came well Collimated and has everything you need for easy collimation is include such as the cap with he hole, the centre circle on the mirror and the quick screw on the secondary mirror. No regrets so far! Very good for the bucks.

A little tricky to put together, but once done it very impressive. Love it, easy to use, just need some clear skies now. Take note of the dimensions and weight its bigger than i though, so not sure where to store it! Very well made to a high quality. you wont regret buying this.

10mm is not good 25mm is much better red dot finder works well Arrived on time Good instruction of assembling/collimation

If you are curious about the clock above your head, this telescope will change the way you view the world you live in. In a world that has everyone looking into their phones and computers, you can reset your reality by looking up! This telescope allows great views of planets, stars and other bright lights that zoom around up there!