'Scoped!!

[Wolverine]

\:D/

Yesterday, in a fit of aperture fever, I brought home an Orion XT 10" dob with the intelliscope locator. Very impressive quality for the price, I must say. And now the party can really start. 8)

[milli360]

I just heard thunder

[Musashi]

Glad to hear it Wolv. Hope the skies clear up for you.

[Wolverine]

Skies are actually co-operating.... for now. :)

[orangeSCT]

Congrats,
I got this close ll to getting that scope. A great bargin. =D> Let us know how things look.

[Wolverine]

Congrats,
I got this close ll to getting that scope. A great bargin. =D> Let us know how things look.

Barring the use of better, although non-BABB-friendly adjectives... amazing. :o

[JustAGuy]

This seems like the best place to post this (and to stay on the good side of the standing new scope board rule).

I'm just about ready to buy a nice small scope: an ETX 125. So here are the vitals:

127mm app, 1900mm focal length (f15)

I'm still mulling over eyepieces, filters and whatnot, but I hope to have it in then mail to me by mid next week (I would have bought it locally, but ordering it in from ontario saved me $400, even with the shipping).

[Wolverine]

Very cool, JustAGuy! Congrats in advance. =D>

[JustAGuy]

Yeah, it should do most of what I want just fine. It's a fine balance between a decent sized app and something I can still haul down the stairs and put in the truck for the drive out to dark skies. If everything goes according to plan, I should have a first night observing report in less than a month or so. (crosses fingers)

[Morrolan]

i so want to buy a scope and living in Shopping Wonderland almost every third store selling cameras and binoculars has several in store, however the light pollution on this island state is so bad you can hardly see the moon... :( guess i'll have to wait until i find that job in Australia and move there...

[AstroSmurf]

Any complaints about the Orion so far, Wolverine? I had been thinking in that direction myself.

[Wolverine]

Only one complaint with the Orion:

If left unattended for 15 minutes, the Intelliscope locator powers down of its own accord, and there's no way to disable that from happening. So, if this occurs, you have to power it back up and perform the 2-star alignment procedure again. Not a huge deal, but seems rather silly, given all of its other features and abilities. I was aware of this before I'd purchased the 'scope, though, so at least I didn't get caught by surprise. ;)

Something else to bear in mind for eyeglass wearers and/or astigmatic folks like myself:

The Orion dobs include Sirius Plossl eyepieces. Their quality is really decent, however, it's important to note that the eye relief of this series of eyepieces is generally 2 to 3 mm less than their focal length. While it's certainly not an issue for my corrected vision with the 25mm, the 10mm eyepiece presented some problems, and as a result I picked up an Orion 10.5mm Lanthanum (http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=275&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCa t=6&iSubCat=36&iProductID=275) series eyepiece -- all of which offer a hearty 20mm of eye relief regardless of focal length. They're very nice for the money I might add, and hope to grab a couple more in the future.

Also, since I'm pretty left-eye-dominant and didn't want to be crooking my neck over to use the standard 9x50 finderscope, I instead added the 9x50 RA correct-image finder (http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=158&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCa t=6&iSubCat=27&iProductID=158), a decision I'm definitely not regretting.

There is a very tiny bit of play in the focuser, but certainly not an issue for me, no major wobble or anything -- and, that's to be expected for anything in this price range anyway.

All things considered, the XT 10 is an outstanding value, and having spent several straight nights on it, I'm absolutely delighted with its quality. The base operates very smoothly and is very stable, the locator system is far more accurate and user-friendly than I'd anticipated, and I've no complaints about the optics.

If you're thinking of purchasing one, the owner's manuals for the scope as well as the locator are hosted in .pdf format on the Orion website. It was really handy to be able to read through them thoroughly ahead of time, so I'd know exactly what was going on when unpacking the parts boxes. :)

If you end up bringing one home, I'll be happy to pass on a couple of construction tips. 8) (A carpenter's level and some electrical tape are highly recommended.)

[Wolverine]

A further note, from the Intelliscope manual:

The Alignment Error (Warp) Factor
The “warp” alignment error factor essentially lets you know if your alignment was accurate or not. Ideally, this number should be as low as possible, but any “W” of 0.5 or smaller is acceptable (regardless of + or - sign). Warp factors of ±0.3 and ±0.4 are the most common. Warp factors under ±0.2 are typically not achievable.

I beg to differ! Over the last several days, I've netted 0.3, 0.1, 0.2, and tonight 0.0! 8)

Only problem is, when you hit a perfect alignment it instantly prompts the arrival of low clouds that obscure one's view... *sigh* :cry:

[AstroSmurf]

Thanks a lot for the review, Wolvie! =D>

I am currently grinding a mirror for a high-power planetary instrument (f/23 6" schiefspiegler), but I was thinking of combining this with a faster Dob for more general observing, and perhaps some nebulae. The Orion was always an interesting choice; I'll try to get a look at one next time I'm visiting the one astronomy shop I know of in Sweden. I haven't decided whether to go for the Intelliscope or the 'dumb' version though; at any rate, I'll be starting out without the electronic gadgetry to improve my knowledge of the sky. Later, when I get more jaded :wink: I'll probably get one of them newfangled GoTo things.

[Kaptain K]

Technically, the Orion Intelliscope is not a "Go To" scope, but a "Push To" scope. A "Go To" scope has motors on both axes and will automatically move to the coordinates of a selected object. With the Orion Intelliscope, the computer displays arrows that tell you which way to move the scope to get to the object.

[Manchurian Taikonaut]

The Orion XT 10" dob , very nice scope


and the ETX-125 , I've seen some amazing details

check this site out

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/guests_deepsky99.html

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/2003/guests_planets.html

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/2004/guests_deepsky1.html

:)

[Russ]

I just heard thunder
Oooooh milli360, so it's your fault! :-? I just got back from visiting my dad in NC, ESE of Charlotte. Two weeks in NC and it either rained or was cloudy EVERY night. When I visited him in January, it was crystil clear every night. That, of course, was when I DIDN'T have my scope with me. :roll: This trip, it rained so much my car started to mildew.

Is this excessive cloudiness typical of NC in June? When does it quit? Has the rainbow been revoked? :o

I got a couple of hours ONE day to look at the Sun. (two specks with even smaller specks encircling them.) Major, major frustration. :(

[JustAGuy]

The Orion XT 10" dob , very nice scope


and the ETX-125 , I've seen some amazing details

check this site out

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/guests_deepsky99.html

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/2003/guests_planets.html

http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/2004/guests_deepsky1.html

:)
Believe me, I've scoured that page more than once already ;) Well, the order's in, I expect delivery in 7-12 business days (2 for order processing, 5-10 for Canada Post's "You could walk faster" service)

[Cylinder]

Is this excessive cloudiness typical of NC in June? When does it quit? Has the rainbow been revoked?

We have had a pretty unusually wet and hot summer here in Dixie.

[Wolverine]

I haven't decided whether to go for the Intelliscope or the 'dumb' version though; at any rate, I'll be starting out without the electronic gadgetry to improve my knowledge of the sky. Later, when I get more jaded :wink: I'll probably get one of them newfangled GoTo things.

Hope my comments were helpful. :)

I was in a similar situation, and for me, part of the fun is hunting for objects. If I choose to go that route, I can just unplug or set up without the locator. As far as I see it (and considering the meager price difference), better to have the capability of using the Intelliscope rather than wishing you'd gone that route somewhere in the future. You can't simply add the locator and encoders to the standard model later on. ;)

*Edited for boneheaded grammar.

[orangeSCT]

Got the new issue of Sky and Tel last week and noticed an ad for Orion's new 12 inch Dob.......and for less than 1 grand. That is pretty impressive if you consider how expensive competing scopes of similar aperature are. If anyone gets one I'd love to hear a review.

[Wolverine]

Got the new issue of Sky and Tel last week and noticed an ad for Orion's new 12 inch Dob.......and for less than 1 grand. That is pretty impressive if you consider how expensive competing scopes of similar aperature are. If anyone gets one I'd love to hear a review.

I saw that, of course after I purchased my 10", and thought -- #-o-- just for a moment. However, it's just as well, was out of my price range. If it's as well-built as its smaller counterpart and with 44% more light gathering ability, for under a 'G' ... yowzah. \:D/

[JustAGuy]

Well, the order's in, I expect delivery in 7-12 business days (2 for order processing, 5-10 for Canada Post's "You could walk faster" service)
She finally showed up. And, of course, tonight is mostly cloudy with terrible seeing. Even better, the scope I bought most for looking at the moon and planets shows up on a new moon and w/ no planets out (save Uranus). At least i get to observe a full lunation on my first go.

Still, I managed to split a few binaries and check out a few clusters. Uranus and some nebulae will come when my nebular filter shows up, which is, well, I don't know ;)

[Diamond]

This thread is giving me "new telescope fever" again.

I may have to ask my wife to slap me. #-o

[kookbreaker]

Only one complaint with the Orion:
If you're thinking of purchasing one, the owner's manuals for the scope as well as the locator are hosted in .pdf format on the Orion website. It was really handy to be able to read through them thoroughly ahead of time, so I'd know exactly what was going on when unpacking the parts boxes. :)

Yes, but the manual was written by a complete jerk who should be beaten silly. :P :D

[AZgazer]

Hey Just a Guy how does the 125 do with DSOs? I have an opportunity to pick up a 125 with the UHTC and a ton of extras for a really good price. I am curious however on how it does with Globs and Nebulas. (The seller is about 200 miles from me and I can't find one locally to view through.)

The portability is SO appealing, but if it's not going to do what I would like it seems kind of pointless.

[JustAGuy]

Hey Just a Guy how does the 125 do with DSOs? I have an opportunity to pick up a 125 with the UHTC and a ton of extras for a really good price. I am curious however on how it does with Globs and Nebulas. (The seller is about 200 miles from me and I can't find one locally to view through.)

The portability is SO appealing, but if it's not going to do what I would like it seems kind of pointless.
After only two nights with the scope (and with poor seeing), I don't know if I can comment authoritatively, but that's not going to stop me ;)

Where I am is very light polluted (think bortle 7). This is the main reason I spent more on the 125 than I would have on a larger, less portable scope. The ability to get the heck outta Dodge cannot be discounted. Also, I don't have my nebular filter in just yet.

Having said that, it performed pretty well. m13 was well defined, and not just a blurry blob as I'd seen before. m8 had form and structure, which frankly blew me away. m27 was less distinct, and m31 was difficult if only because it was directly over the downtown core :)

The main thing that impressed me about the scope is how light it is. Scope in box plus tripod weigh less than my groceries usually do. There is going to be absolutely no challenge is taking this thing out of town.

I get the feeling this scope will share a lot more with me once I get out of the city.

[aurora]

I get the feeling this scope will share a lot more with me once I get out of the city.

You'll be proven right, I predict.

For example, from a moderate light pollution site, say a mag 4 sky, you won't be able to even find M1 in an 8 or 10 inch scope (or only with great difficulty). Yet a small scope will find it easily from a dark site, and even reveal a little shape to it.

[AZgazer]

That is what I was hoping to hear. :) I am going to borrow a Club member's 5" Mak and pray for some Clear Skies over the weekend.

Did you happen to get the UHTC on yours? The one I am considering has them and I am curious how big of a difference they really make.

[JustAGuy]

Did you happen to get the UHTC on yours? The one I am considering has them and I am curious how big of a difference they really make.
Yup. Got the UHTC. I can't really give first hand comments on the difference it makes, since I haven't had a chance to try out a non-UHTC and UHTC 125 side by side. However, everything I've seen on the web says that it's worth it, for what that's worth.

Night 3, and the seeing is abyssmal here. Like looking through a bucket of water at even low magnification. Ack. At least it's clear, and the air'll settle down once it gets colder, but the moon will have set by then :(

[AZgazer]

Yup. Got the UHTC. *snip* Night 3, and the seeing is abyssmal here. Like looking through a bucket of water at even low magnification. Ack. At least it's clear, and the air'll settle down once it gets colder, but the moon will have set by then :(

Yeah, I have read in a few places that the UHTC was worth the extra bucks. I was hoping you had used both for a little comparision.

I went out tonight hoping to catch Jupiter before the storms rolled in, but no such luck. There was a dense high cloud cover that wasn't showing on the radar screens, so I just listened to the Card's game and watched lightning in the distance. Hopefully your skies treat you better. :)

[AstroSmurf]

Since this seems to be our 'I've got a new scope' thread, I'll add my own piece of good fortune to it.

Yup, I've finally left the ranks of the scope-less. It's a really nice scope for my needs; an 8" Dob with a framework in red eloxated aluminium, which makes it very light and portable, and mounting and dismounting the primary is dead easy. It's possible to disassemble, and the whole thing except the rods will probably fit in an easily transportable case. Not to mention, it's pretty too :D

The primary is chinese-made. I know very little about evaluating optics, but I managed to resolve both pairs of Eps Lyrae at 150x, which seems pretty ok to me. Haven't tried it on any nebulae, since to my shame I didn't know of any that were above the horizon. I had a great time looking at various double stars, though. The only problem I noticed was that the altitude adjustment was a little dodgy, but some teflon spray will probably fix that.

The whole thing was rather unexpected; I was actually going to my parent's place to fix my car this weekend, but took a detour to a local star meet that happened to take place. Nothing planned, just wanted to look at some scopes, look for parts for my Herschelian and things like that. The club arranging the star meet is an interesting crowd, though. Several of the members are active scope builders, so there were quite a few scopes for sale there, and this was one of them. Fairly good price, 5000 SEK (about $650) including a red-dot finder and a 8-24mm zoom eyepiece. (To compare, the Orion XT 8 goes for about 5,700 SEK here once shipping and VAT have been added)