Re: Starter scope for 9 year old: StarBlast or SkyQuest?

LurfysMa wrote:

I guess this has both advantages and disadvantages. If he sees it as
more "friendly" (less daunting), he might be more drawn to it. But if
he sees it as a toy, he might not take it seriously.

On the other hand, some kids get a charge out of being given a "grown
up" gift. Plus, he's 9 now, he'll be 10 next year and so on.

Yup, that's it in a nutshell. What can I say -- you know him and I
don't.

But what do you mean by "drive it". I was getting the impression that
operating the XT6 was about as easy as the XT4.5. Do you disagree?

No, if anything, the XT6 is actually easier to drive than the XT4.5 --
assuming you can get to the eyepiece. Which he probably can,
if he's big for his age.

It's a paradoxical feature of the Dobsonian design that the bigger
the scope, the easier it is to move around. That's because the
whole thing works on friction, and with a really light scope, there
isn't enough friction to hold it steady. The XT4.5 solves that problem
with a spring, but the spring creates problems of its own.

By the same argument, the XT8 is (slightly) easier to use
than the XT6. The only advantages of the XT6 over the XT8
are portability and cost.

- Tony Flanders

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Orion XT6 or XT8?
    ... Or is the XT6 adequate for most of the good ... The XT8 will likely have to be brought outside base first, ... If you are only going to have one scope, in the end, the 8" aperture is ... you'd be considering getting both the XT6 and the XT10 ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Orion XT6 or XT8?
    ... If ease of setup is a factor in getting you out under the stars, then the XT6 saves you one trip because it can be carried as an assembled unit. ... The XT8 will likely have to be brought outside base first, ... Everyone should spend at least some time at the eyepiece of a 12" or larger scope, but eventually you may find that you really want something that's easier to get outside. ... The XT10 is manageable in two pieces with only a little more effort than the XT8, and if you're in good physical condition then the XT12 is also a manageable two piece operation. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
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