Re: Orion XT Intelliscopes

From: Bruce (bruce.astro_at_SPAMBGONEverizon.net)
Date: 07/13/04 

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 00:10:10 GMT

"Jim Hewitt" <jim_hewitt@spam begone.hp.com> wrote in message
news:LbFIc.5717$RI.229@news.cpqcorp.net...
>
> "Larry Stedman" <stedman@binghamton.edu> wrote in message
> news:stedman-C0A4FB.18173812072004@syrcnyrdrs-02-ge0.nyroc.rr.com...
> > the Orion directions ask the user to say "Whoosh!" after they've pressed
> > the enter button! That's the only way to get it to work! ;-)
>
> LOL! I just wanted to make sure the 'whoosh' I heard wasn't the sound of
> hard-earned bucks going down the drain!
>
> Come, now, there must be someone who could tell me what their impression
of
> the arrangement is. How well does it work for a relative novice? [I
> personally havea NexStar5 GOTO, and a simple Dob, but I'm wondering how
good
> this would be for someone else.]
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
>
Jim.
    I can't claim experience with the Orion digital setting circles but have
some experience with other products. I imagine the Orion system is quite
similar. To set up the unit asks you to align on 2 or possibly 3 alignment
stars that you would probably pick from a list (the unit may or may not
recommend the alignment stars as I say I haven't seen the Orion unit in
particular). The alignment stars will be quite bright and easy to find. If
you have absolutely no knowledge of the heavens this will be the toughest
part of your night's observing, and a decent star chart will be of great
value in finding the alignment stars. Generally you will center the 1st
alignment star in the field of view of the telescope (if you can get or make
a cheap 'crosshair' eyepiece this will allow you to get a more precise
alignment than you would get by guessing when the star is centered, although
just 'eyeballing' it should still give good results). You will be instructed
to press a button (usually 'enter') when the star is centered, and then you
repeat the procedure with the 2nd (and third if required) alignment stars.
Once this is done you are ready to observe. You choose an object from the
menu and there will be 2 numbers on the handbox representing how far off the
scope is in the horizontal and vertical axis. You move the scope until both
numbers are '0', and you are then on target. It might be a bit confusing at
first deciding which way to move the scope but obviously if the numbers get
larger you are going in the wrong direction! With a night or 2 of practice
you'll get the feel of it and finding objects will be no sweat. As long as
you are careful not to change the mount's position on the ground you should
be able to observe all night. Of course if the scope mount is moved you will
need to re-align the scope. Other systems I have seen are quite accurate,
and a beginner will probably get the hang of it very quickly. My impression,
and feedback from Orion owners I know is that the quality and value for the
$$ is good. I think the digital setting circles will allow you to find
objects just about as quick as a Nexstar/LX200 setup for a lot less $$ for a
given aperture. Hope this helps,

Bruce