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Orion Telescopes
Beginner
Orion SkyQuest XT6 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit
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  • An upgraded XT6 Classic Dobsonian with performance-boosting design enhancements and additional accessories
  • Redesigned base with adjustable altitude tension supports the attractive twilight blue optical tube
  • Easy, tool-free collimation adjustment thanks to knurled secondary mirror thumbscrews
  • Highly visible white trim on base makes it easier to see and step around in the dark
  • Upgraded accessories include 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces, Shorty 2x Barlow, Safety Film Solar Filter, eyepiece rack, EZ Finder II reflex sight, DeepMap 600 folding star chart, collimation cap, and more


Learn more
Item #  08985

We gave our XT6 Classic an upgrade! Although our SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dob has been a favorite telescope of beginning astronomy enthusiasts for years - and still is - we decided it was time to roll out a "deluxe" version with some cool design enhancements and an expanded accessory package. The result is the sleek, user-friendly SkyQuest XT6 PLUS Dobsonian! With sharp, powerful optics and point-and-view simplicity, this eye-catching 6" Dobsonian reflector shines as a plus-sized value.

Starting from the bottom up, we gave the SkyQuest XT6 PLUS a redesigned Dobsonian base with a sleeker, more streamlined look. Weight-saving cutouts in the side panels help make the base easier to move to and from observing sites. A white trim band around the round baseplate of the XT6 PLUS base enhances visibility in the dark. An eyepiece rack is included that can hold up to three 1.25" eyepieces, making it easy to store and swap between different oculars to vary the magnification of your observations. An upgraded altitude axis tensioning knob improves control of the telescope's altitude (up/down) motion compared to the XT6 Classic's fixed-tension springs.

The optical tube of the XT6 PLUS, which sports an attractive "twilight blue" metallic finish, houses a 150mm parabolic (5.9") mirror with enhanced-reflectivity (94%) aluminum coatings for superior light transmission compared to standard mirrors. Its 1200mm focal length (f/8) means this telescope delivers some serious magnifying power - the included 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece will have you studying the Moon's cratered surface, Jupiter's cloud bands, or the Hercules Cluster's dense core at 120x. Insert the 10mm eyepiece into the Shorty 2x Barlow lens, also included, and now you're resolving myriad details at 240x! Use the other supplied eyepiece, a 25mm Sirius Plossl, for wider-angle (48x) views of sprawling emission nebulas and galaxies, or pop it in the Shorty 2x Barlow to boost the view to 96x. The smooth, 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser keeps images sharp no matter what you're targeting.

At the top end of the SkyQuest XT6 PLUS optical tube you'll find even more enhancements. In addition to the EZ Finder "red dot" reflex sight for aiming the telescope at your target object, we replaced the typical secondary mirror collimation setscrews with big thumbscrews, for easier, tool-free adjustment when a collimation tweak is needed. Plus, we've added one more accessory to the package that lets you use the XT6 PLUS during daytime hours - an Orion Safety Film Solar Filter for viewing the Sun's ever-changing sunspots!

This modern makeover and upgrade to our SkyQuest XT6 is a fully loaded, wonderfully affordable telescope for anyone seeking a quality first telescope or a step-up from a smaller one.

We've equipped the XT6 PLUS with a thorough set of top-notch accessories and features to enrich your stargazing experiences.

XT6 PLUS focuser

Dial-in celestial details with the smooth 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser.

The SkyQuest XT6 PLUS Dobsonian reflector telescope features a 1.25" PTFE-lined rack-and-pinion focuser built to accept any 1.25" size Orion eyepiece or accessory. Smooth focus control makes it easy to dial-in fine details when observing objects in the night sky, whether you're looking at a rocky lunar crater or a wispy nebula. The focuser features two knurled thumbscrews to secure inserted 1.25" eyepieces in-place.

XT6 PLUS eyepieces

Two included Sirius Plossl eyepieces provide different magnification options.

Use both of the Sirius Plossl eyepieces included with the XT6 PLUS to alternate between lower and higher-power views of interesting objects in the sky. We recommend starting with the 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece to obtain 48x views to scan the night sky for celestial objects. For more powerful views, you can boost the magnification all the way up to 120x by using the 10mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece. Both eyepieces are threaded for use with optional Orion filters (filters sold separately).

XT6 PLUS Barlow

Double the magnifying power of 1.25" eyepieces with the included Shorty 2x Barlow.

A 2-power (2x) Barlow lens is a very versatile telescope accessory that doubles the magnification of any eyepiece installed. Using the included Shorty 2x Barlow with the 25mm eyepiece in the XT6 PLUS reflector bumps its viewing power from 48x to 96x, and boosts the 10mm eyepiece's magnification from 120x to a staggering 240x for extreme close-up views. What's more, you can use the compact Shorty 2x Barlow with any other 1.25" eyepieces you already have, or any you purchase in the future.

Solar Filter

Explore the fun of daytime astronomy with the included Safety Film Solar Filter

In addition to stargazing at night, you can also use the XT6 PLUS Dobsonian during daytime hours thanks to the included Safety Film Solar Filter, which lets you safely observe sunspots as they march across the surface of our nearest star. The solar filter rejects all harmful light from the Sun, while allowing a very small fraction of light to pass through, so you can safely enjoy the fun of daytime solar astronomy.

Secondary Mirror

Convenient thumbscrew-equipped secondary mirror cell makes adjustments easy

Like all reflector telescopes, the XT6 PLUS will likely require minor periodic maintenance to make sure its optical mirrors are aligned, or "collimated". To make collimation adjustments nice and easy, we've outfitted the XT6 PLUS Dobsonian telescope's secondary mirror with knurled thumbscrews so you don't have to hassle with tools to align the reflecting optics of the telescope.

White Base Trim

Bright white base trim helps avoid accidents in dark conditions

Since stargazing is best when it is very dark outside, there is always a chance of accidentally bumping into or tripping over pieces of equipment that are hard to see in low-light conditions. To help avoid such mishaps from ruining your next observing session, we've made the base of the XT6 PLUS easy to see, even in the dark of night, thanks to its highly visible white trim.

Deep Map

Use the included DeepMap 600 Folding Star Chart to plan deep sky observing adventures!

The SkyQuest XT6 PLUS telescope includes the popular DeepMap 600 folding star chart. This "road map" of the cosmos will tell you just where to look in the night sky to find interesting objects to explore in the big XT6 PLUS Dobsonian Telescope. Color-coded symbols identify more than 500 galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters - including all 109 Messier objects - as well as some 100 of the most interesting double and variable stars. DeepMap folds up just like a road map for easy packing, and it's printed on durable dew-proof material for worry-free outdoor use.

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-447-1001.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Product Support
Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more
  • Best for viewing
    Brighter deep sky
  • Best for imaging
    Lunar & planetary
  • User level
    Beginner
  • Optical design
    Reflector
  • Optical diameter
    150mm
  • Focal length
    1200mm
  • Focal ratio
    f/8.0
  • Optics type
    Parabolic
  • Glass material
    Low thermal expansion borosilicate glass
  • Eyepieces
    Sirius Plossl 25.0mm,10.0mm (1.25")
  • Magnification with included eyepieces
    48x, 120x
  • Resolving power
    0.77arc*sec
  • Lowest useful magnification
    21x
  • Highest useful magnification
    300x
  • Highest theoretical magnification
    300x
  • Limiting stellar magnitude
    13.5
  • Optical quality
    Diffraction limited
  • Finder scope
    EZ Finder II
  • Focuser
    1.25" Rack-and-pinion
  • Secondary mirror obstruction
    34mm
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
    23%
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by area
    5%
  • Mirror coatings/over-coatings
    Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
  • Mount type
    Dobsonian
  • Astro-imaging capability
    Simple moon shots
  • Computerized compatibility
    Not compatible
  • Bearing material
    PTFE and UHMW bearings
  • Tube material
    Steel
  • Tripod material
    Wood
  • Length of optical tube
    46.0 in.
  • Weight, optical tube
    11.5 lbs.
  • Weight, mount/tripod
    21.9 lbs.
  • Weight, fully assembled
    34.2 lbs.
  • Additional included accessories
    Eyepiece rack, 2x Barlow 1.25", Collimation cap, Safety film solar filter, DeepMap 600 folding star chart
  • Other features
    Adjustable altitude axis tension knobs, Secondary mirror collimation thumbscrews, Enhanced 94% reflectivity
  • Warranty
    One year

Orion SkyQuest XT6 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Optical Tube Assembly
Dobsonian base
Altitude tension knobs
Eyepiece rack
Orion 1.25" 25mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece
Orion 1.25" 10mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece
Orion 1.25" Shorty 2x Barlow  
Orion Safety Film Solar Filter for 6" Reflector Telescopes
Orion EZ Finder II Reflex Sight
Collimation cap
Dust cover for optical tube
DeepMap 600 folding star chart

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

Standard Delivery: $0.00
Standard Delivery to Canada: $25.00
3 Day Delivery: $175.00
2 Day Delivery: $175.00
Next Day Delivery: $220.00

SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states and US territories/protectorates address. Delivery is not available to APO/DPO/FPO addresses . Delivery is available to Canada.

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