![]() Considering the cost per inch of aperture, you’d be well advised to go for the largest size you can afford. One happy consequence of this straightforward approach is that you can expect exceptional optical performance from your SkyQuest, far in excess of other telescopes around this price point. In other words, these telescopes are pretty much built around that beautifully large parabolic reflector at the back everything else seems to be an afterthought. There are few differences between these apart from the all-important aperture and focal ratios (all have the same focal length and are therefore of similar size). The SkyQuest XT is available in 4.5 inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch versions (a 12 inch model is also available, but it’s expensive and much less popular). The best advice is probably to get the largest aperture scope in your price range and only then start worrying about minor bells and whistles. ![]() Which should you get? The extra features of the Plus are certainly nice to have, but not exactly of vital importance. A Barlow can also be fitted over the eyepiece, providing an extra 2x or 3x magnification. When you’re actually using it, you choose the apparent size of an object by combining it with eyepieces of different focal lengths. It’s also blue instead of black and, unsurprisingly, costs a little more.Īny telescope’s maximum useful magnification is mainly determined by its aperture size. The Plus version of each has a bracket for spare eyepieces on the stand and a couple of extra accessories, weighs somewhat less, and doesn’t require a screwdriver for collimation. While we’re mainly talking about Orion’s classic and well-loved SkyQuest XT range of telescopes here, we should also mention that an updated design is now available. What it sacrifices to achieve this is compactness: measuring about 50 inches from head to toe, this isn’t a telescope you can easily sling into a car’s trunk. In other words, this kind of telescope is as elementary as can be and, in a striking example of the KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly) principle, actually outperforms many more costly scopes. Instead of a tripod, the resultant over-sized tube is set on the tried-and-tested Dobsonian mount – a simple hinge on a rotating base, with very few mechanical parts. With the SkyQuest XT, a simple Newtonian reflector layout was chosen over a “light-folding” catadioptric design (most telescopes that are called reflectors are really catadioptrics and use a combination of both lenses and mirrors). Even a fantastic scope will be a disappointment to use if it’s on an inferior mount.įor both mount and tube, simplicity is sometimes the best policy. OptCorp The Orion SkyQuest XT Range: Superb in All Ways Except Oneĭesigning and manufacturing a telescope with a wide aperture and good optical performance is difficult enough, but it turns out that this is only half the battle.
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