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The Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope is a 6-inch (150mm) Newtonian reflector on a tabletop alt-azimuth mount, with a push-to locator that tells you where to move the telescope. It does not track objects or slew to them on its own. A recent independent review identifies the model as permanently discontinued, so any purchase today means buying used. It is a reasonable first telescope for star clusters and bright nebulae if you have a sturdy table, accept manual aiming, and want the locator as a navigation aid. If you want motorized GoTo or a larger mirror, compare the alternatives listed below before you buy.
Key specifications
The figures below come from the Orion StarBlast 6/6i instruction manual (revision B, 2010), which covers both the non-locator StarBlast 6 and the StarBlast 6i with IntelliScope.
| Feature | StarBlast 6i value |
|---|---|
| Optical design | Newtonian reflector with a 150mm parabolic primary mirror |
| Focal length and focal ratio | 750mm, f/5 |
| Included eyepieces | Two Sirius Plössl eyepieces: 25mm (30x) and 10mm (75x) |
| Focuser | Accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces |
| Finder | EZ Finder II reflex sight |
| Assembled weight | 23 lb 8 oz |
| Tube length | 28 inches |
| Locator power | One 9V battery |
The 30x and 75x magnifications are the manual’s figures for the included eyepieces. A 750mm focal length with a 6-inch aperture gives a bright, wide view at low power, which is why the 25mm eyepiece is the one most owners use for finding targets.
How the IntelliScope locator works
The IntelliScope is an encoder-based push-to aid. Two altitude and azimuth encoders read the tube’s position, and the hand control gives directional prompts while you move the telescope by hand. Nothing is motorized, so the scope never moves unless you push it.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Compatibility】Compatible with Orion StarBlast 6i. Before purchase, please measure your device dimensions and select the appropriate size to ensure a proper fit and stable placement during daily storage.
- 【Durable Oxford Fabric Material】Made from durable Oxford fabric, this cover features a strong woven structure with a lightweight feel for easy handling. The fabric construction helps reduce daily dust accumulation and keeps the surface cleaner during storage. The material is designed for repeated use, offering a practical solution for protecting equipment while maintaining a simple and functional design.
- 【Adjustable Drawstring Closure】Equipped with an adjustable drawstring closure, this cover allows users to tighten or loosen the opening according to different storage needs. The drawstring design helps improve the fit around the equipment and makes installation and removal more convenient. It provides a simple way to secure the cover in place without complicated steps.
- 【Wide Storage Applications】Suitable for various storage areas, including patios, gardens, garages, terraces, and other outdoor or indoor spaces. This cover helps create a cleaner and more organized storage environment when equipment is stored for daily use or seasonal periods. Its practical design makes it suitable for home storage, workshops, and other equipment areas.
- 【Practical Design & Classic Black Color】Featuring a classic black appearance, this cover matches different storage environments and provides a simple, professional look. The lightweight design makes it easy to fold, store, and carry when not in use. Combining practical features with a clean appearance, it is a useful accessory for everyday equipment storage and organization.
- Install the battery. The locator runs on one 9V battery.
- Align the system. The reviewer describes a two-star alignment. You center two known stars in the eyepiece and confirm each one on the hand control.
- Select an object. The database holds 110 Messier objects, 7,840 NGC objects, 5,386 IC objects, the eight major planets and 99 user-defined objects. Individually these add up to 13,443 entries.
- Follow the arrows. SPACE.com’s May 15, 2012 review describes illuminated arrows that show which way to move the tube. Push the scope in that direction until the display indicates the target is centered.
- Check the display. If the display shows errors when you move the tube, realign before trusting the readout.
Three limitations follow from this design:
- The telescope does not track. Earth’s rotation makes objects drift out of the eyepiece, so you nudge the tube again.
- You must still recognize the alignment stars yourself. The locator does not identify what you are looking at.
- Accuracy depends on a clean alignment and a level, stable table. A bumped table can throw off the next object.
What you can see
The reviewer from TelescopicWatch, John Haynes, reports that the 750mm focal length and 25mm Plössl give a wide field that is useful for locating and framing deep-sky objects. Observing clusters and nebulae is the strength the review describes. Galaxies are faint and need darker skies to show well. The 10mm eyepiece gives 75x for closer looks at brighter targets, but higher power also magnifies blur from poor seeing and alignment.
Results depend on your sky, the target’s altitude above the horizon, your experience, and how well the optics are collimated. No specific view should be expected from the figures above.
Rank #2
- 【Compatible Models】: For Orion StarBlast 6i
- 【Performance】: High quality oxford cloth,made with coating,The plated outer layer provides extra protection from prevents internal heating,and keeps the temperature of the equipment stable
- 【Function】: The adjustable bottom drawstring securely fastens the closure to shield your optical instrument from everyday environmental elements while standing on the tripod apparatus
- 【Easy Installation】: The lightweight design slips over the viewing apparatus quickly and fastens securely at the base without requiring any additional tools or complex steps for daily setup
- 【After-Sales Service】: If you encounter any problems,please feel free to contact us.We will reply as soon as possible and provide assistance
Strengths and drawbacks
- Optics and field of view. The 150mm mirror and wide low-power view are the review’s main strengths.
- Mount stability. The reviewer praises the stability of the tabletop mount.
- Locator convenience. Once aligned, the arrows make finding objects in the database faster than star-hopping for a beginner.
- Tabletop setup. The scope must sit on a stable, raised surface. The reviewer calls this inconvenient, and SPACE.com stresses that the table must be stable.
- Value of the locator. The reviewer questions whether the IntelliScope feature justifies the price over a regular Dobsonian.
- Price history. SPACE.com listed the telescope at $483 in 2012. That figure is historical and should not be read as a current price.
Discontinued status and availability
TelescopicWatch identifies the StarBlast 6i as permanently discontinued. That status comes from an independent review, not a manufacturer discontinuation notice. This article did not establish current retail stock, used-market price ranges, warranty coverage, or seller return terms. Check live listings before you assume a unit is available or fairly priced.
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Because the model is no longer sold new, inspect the unit in person or get clear photos and a return option before you pay. Use this checklist:
Rank #3
- ★【Modelos compatibles】：This product is designed specifically for the brand and model specified in the title Please confirm your product information before ordering
- ★【OXFORD FABRIC】：Made from durable Oxford material with a water resistant coating to help protect your telescope during outdoor storage
- ★【UV RESISTANT PROTECTION】：Helps reduce sun exposure that may cause fading cracking or premature aging of telescope components
- ★【DUST DEBRIS SHIELD】：Keeps dust pollen leaves and away from the telescope and mount
- ★【EASY TO INSTALL】：The lightweight design allows quick installation and removal without the need for tools
- Mount. Confirm the mount is undamaged and the alt-azimuth joints move smoothly without play.
- Mirrors. Check that the primary and secondary mirrors are clean and reflective. Surface haze or spots reduce contrast.
- Locator. Power the IntelliScope and confirm the display registers movement without errors.
- Completeness. Look for the hand control, cables, encoder assemblies, the 9V battery compartment, both eyepieces, the EZ Finder II, and the manual. The manual includes sections on collimating and cleaning the optics and on troubleshooting the IntelliScope. Replacement parts are not established as currently available, so a missing component can be hard to replace.
Alternatives to consider
TelescopicWatch names several alternatives. Verify current availability and specifications before you buy, since this article did not confirm them.
- Apertura AD8 and Zhumell Z8. Full-size Dobsonian reflectors, which use a ground-standing mount instead of a tabletop one.
- Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P and Celestron Astro-Fi 130. Compare their aperture, mount type, and navigation method against the 6i’s manual push-to system.
When comparing any telescope, check six things: aperture, tabletop or ground-standing mount, manual star-hopping or push-to versus motorized GoTo, portability and setup time, included eyepieces, and the current price and stock.
Rank #4
- 【Applicable Model】for Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope 2011–2026
- 【Premium Protective Cover for Telescopes】High quality oxford cloth,made with coating,The plated outer layer provides extra protection from prevents internal heating,and keeps the temperature of the equipment stable
- 【Multi-use】suitable for outdoor and indoor use,such as terraces,courtyards,basements,garages and other humid environment,suitable for professional astronomy enthusiasts,amateur stargazers,outdoor equipment maintenance needs
- 【Moistureproof and Washable】The cover is moisture-repellent the telescope stays dry even in the rain
- 【Fixing Strap for Firm Closure and to Prevent It Flying Away】Fixing strap at bottom ensures a clean closing and prevents wind entering from bottom; secure against damage from extreme winds and extremely tear-resistant under correct and moderate use
Who should buy the StarBlast 6i
The StarBlast 6i suits a beginner who has a steady table, wants a bright, wide view of clusters and nebulae, and is comfortable with manual aiming and an occasional realignment. Buy one used only if the mount, mirrors, and locator pass the checks above at a price you have verified against recent sales. Buyers who want motorized tracking, a larger aperture, or a ground-standing mount should look at the alternatives instead.
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The model also suits a buyer who values the IntelliScope as a learning aid. If you would rather find objects by star-hopping, the non-locator StarBlast 6 covered in the same manual avoids the battery and alignment steps, though the 6i’s push-to guidance is its distinguishing feature.
Best Value
- 【Applicable Model】for Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope 2011–2026
- 【Premium Protective Cover for Telescopes】High quality oxford cloth,made with coating,The plated outer layer provides extra protection from prevents internal heating,and keeps the temperature of the equipment stable
- 【Multi-use】suitable for outdoor and indoor use,such as terraces,courtyards,basements,garages and other humid environment,suitable for professional astronomy enthusiasts,amateur stargazers,outdoor equipment maintenance needs
- 【Moistureproof and Washable】The cover is moisture-repellent the telescope stays dry even in the rain
- 【Fixing Strap for Firm Closure and to Prevent It Flying Away】Fixing strap at bottom ensures a clean closing and prevents wind entering from bottom; secure against damage from extreme winds and extremely tear-resistant under correct and moderate use
Compatible 1.25-inch eyepieces are an optional accessory category worth considering if you want magnifications beyond 75x. The included 25mm and 10mm eyepieces are sufficient to start.
Keep your expectations realistic: the StarBlast 6i shows deep-sky objects as they look through a 6-inch telescope, not as long-exposure photographs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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