Orion XT 6 versus Celestron Dobsonian

[carbonates]

Is the Celestron version of the 6 inch dob just as good as, worse, or better than the Orion XT 6?
Also, I am having trouble locating a telescope dealer in the Washington D.C. area, because that would probably be cheaper than ordering online.

[Falcon]

They're both probably about the same with equal optics so its more your preference. I chose the Orion because the stand looked more solid than the Celestron, plus orion has the tension spring system which works great. Its made so you wont have to add heavy counter wieghts to the bottom to hold the scope up. Even with a heavy nagler eyepiece my XT10 holds solid. If you start adding alot of stuff to the front of the scope (i mean alot of stuff) then you'll still have to add counter weights, but I highly doubt you'll be adding more than the springs can handle. I wasn;t able to find a local store either so I had to order online. Shipping really wasnt too bad from Orion and they got it to me in 3 days!!! Hope this helps

Clear Skies

PS: Buy the padded bag for it too if you even plan on putting it in the car! Its worth the $!

[Johnmore]

Actually, buying from Orion online is a really good choice. First off, if you do the math I think you'll find despite the added cost of shipping a large dobsonian, it will still be less than paying taxes at a local dealer. Orion only chages taxes on purchases made by people in California and Minnesota if I remember correctly. In addition, Orion has a great "no questions asked" return policy in the event you don't like what you purchase. Though most of their stuff is made in China, the optics and quality of construction is really quite good for the money you spend. Good luck and clear skys!

[Johnmore]

I learned Orion is designed here in the states and HQ is here, but yes they are manufactured in China, really what isnt nowadays though? lol

[Carlos_dfc]

Yep - Orion is owned by the 'Synta' corporation.

Synta also sell the 'SkyWatcher' brand, which is identical to Orion, apart from colour-scheme and company logos.

And last year, Synta also bought out Celestron
They had been manufacturing optical elements for Celestron for a long time, but now own the whole company.

The new Celestron 'Omni' range are identical to Orion/SkyWatcher - but now available in the Celestron colour scheme/logos - LOL

I'm expecting that soon we will begin to see Orion and SkyWatcher marketing the type of large SCT that Celestron traditionally specialised in

[powerwindows1985]

I have an Oiron XT6 and really like it. It was very affordable, and arrived in just a few days. I too, would advise getting the padded case; it is well worth the extra 70 bucks.

I have seen several deep space objects, as well as decent views of Saturn and Jupiter.

Now I just need the appropriations committee (a.k.a. the wife) to appropriate the neccessary funds for an xt10.

[EVERYTHING]

Here is a website to check out the ratings of what you're trying to compare, [Registered users can see links. ]