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 2 of 64 
Orion Telescopes
Beginner
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Kit
$499.99
If purchased separately $529.95
You Save $29.96
 
Accepted Payment
Expected Ship Date: 05/25/2024

  • Simple hands-on, point-and-view navigation without complicating counterweights, gears, clutches, polar alignment, or the need to balance the tube. Easy and fun
  • Big 6"-diameter parabolic mirror excels for Moon and planetary views, and has enough light grasp for deep-sky viewing of nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters
  • Features a precision 2" Crayford focuser with 1.25" adapter, allowing use of 1.25" eyepieces or optional 2" eyepieces
  • Stable Dobsonian base provides vibration-free images even when viewing at a high powers, and features smooth motions to make manual tracking of celestial objects a breeze
  • This kit includes some excellent value-added accessories to enhance your experience: Orion Shorty 2x Barlow (for double the magnification), Orion's MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and Telescope Observer's Guide, a RedBeam Mini flashlight, and a smartphone photo adapter for taking pictures through the telescope's eyepiece


Learn more
Item #  20563

The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Kit will open up the night sky for you and your entire family to discover. With excellent light grasp, point-and-view ease of use, and an array of super helpful included accessories, the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope is truly one of the best beginner telescope values on the market today. We've even included some extra accessories in this telescope kit to further enhance your viewing experience.

Built around a big 6" (152mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror, the XT6 telescope collects nearly 80% more light than a 4.5" reflector telescope, rendering brighter views of the cosmos with greater detail when viewing deep-sky objects such as open and globular star clusters, nebulas, and brighter galaxies. With a long focal length of 1178mm and focal ratio of f/7.7, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope performs especially well for planetary and lunar observation. Bright planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars show an impressive amount of detail. And the Moon's battered, crater-pocked surface will keep you captivated night after night.

This new version of the venerable SkyQuest XT6 telescope features a 2" Crayford focuser — an upgrade from the previous version's 1.25" focuser. The 2" Crayford allows use of optional 2" eyepieces, which often allow for a wider apparent field of view than corresponding 1.25" eyepieces. An included 2"-to-1.25" step-down adapter accommodates 1.25" eyepieces, such as the 25mm Plossl that comes with the telescope. It provides a significant 47x magnifying power.

Classic Dobsonian Comparison Chart

The XT6's 44"-long enameled steel optical tube glides with silky smoothness on the sturdy Dobsonian base. You just grasp the front of the tube and point it toward your target using simple up-down and left-right motions. The "red dot" (LED) finder scope makes it easy to find your target object and center it in the telescope's eyepiece. There are no complicating counterweights, gears, clutches, or polar alignment to fuss with.

To set up the SkyQuest XT6 Classic telescope, you just lift the optical tube and set it in the base's cradle (one-time base assembly required), then connect the CorrecTension springs. Done. To transport the telescope, just unhook the springs from the base, lift the tube off, and carry the base and tube separately. The base even has a convenient carry handle.

The extra accessories in this value-packed telescope kit will enhance your stargazing experiences.

Double the magnifying power of any 1.25" eyepiece with the Shorty 2x Barlow.

The included Orion Shorty 2x Barlow Lens doubles the magnifying power of any 1.25" eyepiece. Using the Orion Shorty 1.25" 2x Barlow Lens is easy. Simply insert the Shorty 2x Barlow into your telescope's focuser or diagonal, and then insert any 1.25" eyepiece into the Orion Shorty, gently securing it in place with the two thumbscrews. Then, adjust the telescope's focus wheels to enjoy double the magnification of the eyepiece used.

Explore the Moon's cratered surface with the help of the MoonMap 260.

The included Orion MoonMap 260 will help the whole family learn the names and locations of more than 260 craters, mountains, valleys, "seas" and other interesting lunar features you can explore with your telescope. Use the MoonMap 260 to identify craters you've observed, or use it before you go out with a telescope to plan a night full of Moon-watching family fun.

Deep Map

Begin your night sky explorations with the included DeepMap 600.

Full-color star map of the night sky with clearly indicated positions of 600 of the finest celestial objects to view. Star chart conveniently folds up just like a road map for easy storage and transport. Orion DeepMap 600 shows the night sky from declination +90-deg to -60-deg. Back of chart lists essential data for all 600 objects of interest, including a brief visual description of each object — an ideal reference for beginners and advanced observers alike! Printed on dew-proof plastic for durability in the field, even in damp conditions.

star target

Learn "What's Up" on any night with the Orion Star Target Planisphere.

This handy star wheel makes it easy to see "what's up" in the night sky any night of the year. Dial in your local date and time and it shows you the locations of the constellations and deep-sky objects in the night sky. Use it to plan a stargazing session, or see what time of year your favorite constellation will be visible. Designed for use in 30°-50° latitudes.

OTOG book

Read the included Orion Telescope Observer's Guide and start exploring

This 174-page guide for new telescope users will help you find, learn about, and view a variety of celestial objects. With a full page of information dedicated to each one, author Richard J. Bartlett leads you on a detailed tour of the night sky as he describes over 60 fascinating astronomical denizens that can easily be seen with a small telescope.

Easily read star charts, look inside your accessory case, or find your way around the telescope in the dark with the RedBeam Mini LED flashlight.

Very compact size — can easily fit in a pocket. Will not harm your night vision like a white flashlight can.

Cell Phone Adapter

Take smartphone pictures of the view through your telescope with this Smartphone Telescope adapter.

Adjustable smartphone holder clamps onto the telescope's eyepiece, allowing you to take shake-free, well-focused, high-power photos of celestial objects. Sure beats trying to steadily hand-hold your phone over the eyepiece — frustrating! You'll get lots of "keepers" with this smartphone photo adapter.

Powerful, easy to use, and affordable, the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope has the makings for a beautiful relationship between you, your family, and the wonders of the night sky.

Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).

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
    152mm
  • Focal length
    1178mm
  • Focal ratio
    f/7.8
  • Optics type
    Parabolic
  • Glass material
    Soda-lime plate
  • Eyepieces
    Plossl 25.0mm (1.25")
  • Magnification with included eyepieces
    47x
  • Resolving power
    0.76arc*sec
  • Lowest useful magnification
    22x
  • Highest useful magnification
    300x
  • Highest theoretical magnification
    300x
  • Limiting stellar magnitude
    13.4
  • Optical quality
    Diffraction limited
  • Finder scope
    Reflex sight
  • Focuser
    2" Crayford
  • Secondary mirror obstruction
    37mm
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
    25%
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by area
    6%
  • 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
    44.1 in.
  • Weight, optical tube
    11.9 lbs.
  • Weight, mount/tripod
    19.4 lbs.
  • Weight, fully assembled
    31.5 lbs.
  • Focuser height at zenith
    44 in.
  • Additional included accessories
    Shorty 2x Barlow, MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, RedBeam LED flashlight, Observer's Guide, Smartphone photo adapter
  • Other features
    CorrecTension tube balance system, Carry handle on base, Center mark on primary mirror for collimation
  • Warranty
    One year

Optical tube
25mm Plossl eyepiece, 1.25"
Base boards and assembly hardware
Base carry handle
Reflex sight
Dust cover
Wrenches (x3)
Allen keys (x2)
Smartphone photo adapter
MoonMap 260
DeepMap 600
Orion Shorty 2x Barlow Lens, 1.25"
Orion Star Target planisphere
Orion MoonMap 260
Orion Telescope Observer's Guide book
Orion RedBeam Mini LED keychain flashlight

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: $163.00
2 Day Delivery: $163.00
Next Day Delivery: $196.00

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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