Welcome to ORION-xt10.com
This site is all about the Orion (USA) Skyquest™ XT10i telescope, a 10inch (254mm) f/4.7 Newtonian Reflector on a dobsonian mount, with the IntelliScope Object Locator computer.
My blog also contains some info on my second scope, a Celestron C6-SGT XLT (Schmidtt Cassegrain, Goto with Starbrite XLT coatings).
After many years casual interest in astronomy using binoculars, I decided it was time to re-aquaint myself properly with the heavens, and in January 2008 I decided to get a brand new telescope.
I wanted a telescope that would not break the bank, yet would provide sufficient optical capacity to observe both solar and deep-sky objects, and also have a future upgrade path. After much research (and indecision), the xt10 seemed to offer the "best bang per buck" with highly recommended optics, an element of computer aided positioning and at a reasonable cost.
You will find plenty of photos in my Orion xt10 review (click images to view full size), right from initial delivery, through build to completion, with detailed discussion of the construction, and common mods implemented by owners of the Orion XT range of scopes.
The natural progression was of course an interest in astrophotography and while my early experiments in this part of the hobby are rather amateur, they are worthy of presenting to give other folk an idea of what this scope is capable of, even with very basic equipment and knowledge.
Eight years on I still love this scope and often use it in preference to setting up my C6-SGT.
My site is accompanied by a Blog for latest news, and comments are welcome, so please feel free to let me know your opinion. Oh and some music to try out while you're here.
If you are on Twitter, please tweet any pages you find useful in this site or my blog using the Tweet icon below (and at the bottom of all pages), and for latest developments Follow Me using the button below!
Cogitaire est Vivare - Sit atur ad Astra [To Think is to Live - Thus reach we the Stars]
Jim Prior, May 2016 (site created March 2008)
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NEVER OBSERVE THE SUN THROUGH A TELESCOPE or BINOCULARS WITHOUT A SOLAR FILTER INSTALLED !!
Astro Photography
Amateur Astrophotography
Pictures of the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter, online now.
21/3/09: Saturn 1 year on.
4/12/08: Bingo! M42 Great Orion Nebula pics - Wot, no EQ tracking?
Astro Photography
Astro Music
If you like music, why not check out my Astro Music collection?
A compilation of tracks by various bands with a "deep space" feel.More…
Latest Additions
How to clean-up an old pair of binoculars
in the XT-MODS Section I detail how I renovated my favourite pair of binoculars my Dad gave me.
Dual-Speed Low-Profile Crayford + AccuFocus Motorised Focuser
in the XT-MODS Section is an article reviewing the Orion low-profile Crayford, and the AccuFocus unit.
Primary Mirror Collimation
in the Collimation Section is an article explaining how to use the Barlowed Laser Method to collimate the Primary Mirror.
Flocking the xt10
in the XT-MODS Section is an article explaining how to flock the tube inside with ProtoStar Flocking Sheets.
Mods - Counter-balance weights
in the XT-MODS section is a page describing some very easy-to-make weights to help balance the XT dobsonian mount.
New XT Mods Section - Lazy Susan
I have put up the XT-MODS section. First mod details addition of a Lazy Susan Bearing to the scope.
Mods - Dovetail Mount+Red Dot Finder
added a Multi-Reticule LED Reflex Finder Scope to the XT-MODS section.
AO Jupiter 20x80ZCF Giant Binos Review
Read a review of my birthday present: 20x80ZCF Giant Observation Binoculars
First Light
Find out why "first light" with my xt10 was disappointing until I realised what the problem was: First Light Disappointment
Other useful articles:-
- Buyers Advice - Aperture is King
- Setting Expectations - What Will You See?
- The Famed Teflon Azimuth Bearing
- The Skyquest IntelliScope System