XT4.5 or XT6?

[ScottM]

I'm hoping to make a telescope purchase within a few months, and I think I've narrowed my choice down to 2. I'm trying to decide between the Orion Skyquest XT 4.5 and the Skyquest XT 6. I'm curious as to how much difference I should expect in what kind of detail I'll be able to see, and if there's much of a difference in ease of use. Keep in mind, this will be the first telescope I've had since I had an inexpensive probably 3 inch telescope when I was a kid (about 20 years ago).

[tyco]

Hello ScottM

The bigger the Aperture the more you will see, so of the 2 you have picked the 6" will be better.

[ronin]

Get the XT6, the XT4.5 has a spherical mirror, at f/8 the XT6 should be easier to use and keep collimated.

[lonebod]

Considering the price difference definately the XT6

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[wolfpaw]

People usually say 'aperture is king' but this isn't always true. In your case though I'd definitely get the XT6. It's got a nice slow speed of f8 meaning you'll have a big range of low price eyepieces to choose from should you decide to upgrade the ones that come with the telescope itself and you won't have to be so fussy about getting exact collimation.

[ScottM]

A couple of questions being new to this: how do the speed and combination affect the view?

Also, what kind of limiting magnitude should I expect under fairly dark skies?

[Peter Drew]

I have the XT6 and XT8, the XT6 at f8 gives superb planetary images. 

[ScottM]

I think I've pretty much decided to go with the XT 6. I have a co-worker that does some part-time freelance photography and we've been talking about trying our hand at some astrophotography when I get a telescope. How easy or difficult would it be too get some decent lunar or planetary images? He has a midlevel camera that he uses for sports photography.

[Constellasian]

So did you end up buying the XT6? Wondering how your collection has been going for the past 4 years. 

[NGC 1502]

On 25/02/2014 at 17:04, ScottM said:

How easy or difficult would it be too get some decent lunar or planetary images?

 

Although I don’t do imaging, at my local club most seem to try basic lunar photography to start with. The moon is big bright and easy to point your scope at, bright means exposures can be short so fewer problems. Take some advice, do your best and shoot away and see what you get. It’s a learning curve but your failures will lead to better images.

Good luck, Ed.

[Cornelius Varley]

5 hours ago, Constellasian said:

So did you end up buying the XT6? Wondering how your collection has been going for the past 4 years. 

ScottM hasn't logged on since May 2014 so might be waiting a while for a reply.

[NGC 1502]

 

Oops, didn’t notice what an old thread this is......?