thalatta

Hello, I just got an Oklop carrier bag for my Orion XT6: https://www.astrosho...50-1200/p,55891

The bag (which is for a Newtonian 150mm/1200mm) looks great, good quality, good padding. But, if you use it with a Skyquest XT6, you need to remove and unscrew the tension springs on the sides (which help it sit securely on the Dobsonian mount) because the bag is perfectly designed for a tube, but a tube without any bumps on the side (except for the pouch sticking out for the focuser).  So, it's a little tight, but it works. So, basically, I would recommend that you get a slightly bigger bag (they have 200/1200) if you use it for a Skyquest.  There you go.

Does anyone know if it's a bad idea to remove those springs and screws from the side of the Orion Skyquest telescope everytime I put it in the bag? And does anyone know if its a bad idea to have a slightly tight bag (because of the bumps where you pivot the scope on the Dobsonian mount)?  Attached is a picture of the kind of scope.

If the above are not problems, then Oklop do great bags.

My scope is an Orion XT6, so f/_ with 150 aperture and 1200 length.  So I suppose it would work well then on that?  I was tossing up between the ES70 30mm and waiting another two months for an ES68 24mm, or a cheaper Plossl 32mm. For the low power of course.

Hello, just wondering if anyone has tested the Explore Scientific 70° series recently (the only reviews I saw were 10 years old and sparse).  I wonder if anyone would think thatn Explore Scientific 70° 30mm would be a nice competitor for an Explore Scientific 68° 24mm (the one that everyone raves about)?  Thanks

Shane

Hello, does anyone know if you can see Neptune with an Orion XT6 Dobson (150mm aperture, 1200 focal length, f/8)?  I have a few eyepieces: Explore Scientific 5.5mm, Orion Expanse 9mm, and a 25mm Orion Sirius Plossl, and a Barlow 2x.  And also, when is a good time to see Neptune ?  Thanks! Shane