Orion SkyView Pro 6 EQ raw optical tube 2002

This is a 2002 Orion SkyView Pro 6 EQ raw optical tube. By raw I mean this is JUST the tube itself. No optics, finder, focuser, rings, or dust covers. This is the steel tube.

The SkyView Pro 6 EQ was and is a particularly rare Orion reflector; as far as I know they were only marketed for maybe 1 year max. Then they were replaced by the AstroView 6. For some reason they were greatly overshadowed by the SkyView Pro 8. And so it remains a unique tube. Years later, the StarBlast 6 came around and by all means is a dead-match to this tube. But it will NOT HAVE the "SkyView Pro 6 EQ" label.

The good thing here is the optical format is still somewhat common. The 6-inch f/5 was produced by other brands and so a swap-out can be done rather easily. And you should note that the SkyView Pro 6 EQ's 4-vane spider assembly, 1.25-inch focuser unit, finder scope dovetail saddle base design, AND the 6-inch primary mirror cell ALL MATCH the SkyQuest XT6. The only difference is the SkyQuest 6 mirrors are f/8, not f/5.
And, by the way, this pertains to all years SkyQuest 6 models.

Total tube length:  25.63-inches
Outer tube diameter:  7.10-inches
Mirror cell fitment:  optical tube fits inside cell
Focuser size:  1.25-inch
Focuser bolt pattern:  (4) screws 2.16-inches across x 2.43-inches long on the curve
4-vane bolt pattern: (4) sex bolts equadistant 5.60-inches apart on the curve
Primary cell bolt pattern:  (4) screws equidistant 5.60-inches apart on the curve
Finder scope dovetail base bolt pattern:  (2) screws 0.80-inches apart
Materials:  steel tube with polyvinyl chloride front lip (where the dust cap goes)
Weight:  4 pounds 1 ounce

As mentioned earlier, the 150mm f/750mm reflector is not super common, but not rare either. Here are other brands/models that can swap into this optical tube...

Orion = SkyView Pro 6 EQ
              SkyView Deluxe 6 EQ
              Pyrex 6" f/5 primary mirror kit mpn #4510 or #4520
              AstroView 6 EQ
              StarBlast 6

Skywatcher:  Explorer 150P
                        Black Diamond 150mm F/5

Explorer Scientific:  FirstLight 150mm F/5

Celestron:  Omni XLT 150mm F/5 EQ
                    Advanced VX 150mm F/5

Meade:  LX85 6 f/5

GSO:  6" F/5

Bresser:  Messier MT-150S

Will not work with Vixen or Celestron/Vixen 150mm f/750mm as these used unusual mirror cells and had SLIDING focusers. Will not work with Jones-Bird built-in barlowed 150mm f/1400mm reflectors

Cosmetics on this tube are excellent and still quite attractive. A few minor marks here and there, but as you can see in the photos, hard to find. No dents. No punctures. The cylinder shape of the tube is true. ALL HOLES that you see are stock from Orion. Logos and label are very much intact and fully legible. 

All nations welcome to bid.