Posts Made By: James Phelps

I've had many kinds of telescopes over the last 40 years and I'm currently torn between 2 for my next. I still own an Orion 10" intelliscope dob reflector but my back yard has a number of trees that prevent my use of a goto or DSC alignment. I'm looking for a convenient grab&go that I can set up in my back yard to take advantage of what little areas of sky I can use. Currently I'm considering the ES AR102 with twilight mount, two speed focuser , 2" star diagonal, or the Orion Starblast 6" F5 intelliscope. I already have plenty of 1.25" eyepieces and a number of 2" eyepieces. I believe both scopes are light and portable enough to easily move around my property. The intelliscope feature means I could use it at viewing locations with plenty of access to alignment stars. A friend made me a mount composed of Celestron tripod wooden platform that would elevate the scope finder/eyepiece height for comfortable viewing and of course, it has the dobsonian ability to move (push-to) around while viewing. the AR102 has been reviewed as having very good lenses with little chromatic aberration, it has a wonderful 2 speed 2" focuser and diagonal, and, I'm told the twilight 1 mount handles the OTA (10.4 lb weight) well enough for most magnification except possibly high power. The AR102 & mount currently can be got for $600, while the 6i Starblast can be had for $429.00. I find myself going back & forth trying to decide between the two but I'm open to other opinions based upon experience. I am also getting away from equatorial mounts as I just sold an Omni 6" reflector, CG4 package . The cables on the Twilight 1 altaz mount appeal to me, as does the push to character of the Starblast dob. Over the years I've had and liked using 6" F5 reflectors, (I had a Discovery 6" F5 dob that was great, and the omni 6" F5 ota was very good I used it on a pipe mount. I'd like to pull the trigger before spring which doesn't seem to care to show itself any time soon. I'd appreciate any advice.
Jim Phelps

I posted my dilemma probably inappropriately in the after dark forum. I currently own an Orion 10" intelliscope dob and have sold off an omni 6"F5 reflector w/CG4 mount and an orion 4.5" starblast I want a grab & go scope that I caN USE to view through the spaces between my trees in the backyard. The AR102 refractor with dual speed ocuser and 2" diagonal at $600 is very tempting but so is the orion starblast 6" intelliscope dob. at $430 I have many 1.25" eyepieces and about 10 2" eyepieces. I would like to read opinions based on experience as to which would be preferable. The refractor comes with a Twilight mount which I am told can handle the 10.4lb ota easily for low to medium views but might have problems with high magnifications. The Starblast at 23.5lbs would be easy to move around and I would put it on a celestron tripod with wood base on top to elevate the focuser. Any advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Jim Phelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps

I'm looking to possibly buy a Starblast 6i intelliscope and would like to read experiences of people that use them and any recommendations.
JPhelps