Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope is a 150 mm (6-inch) Newtonian reflector on a tabletop alt-azimuth mount. Its IntelliScope locator helps you find objects, but it does not drive the telescope. After you align it, the display gives directional prompts and you move the tube by hand. The optics and light weight are its strengths. The tabletop format, the manual setup and alignment, and the fact that the model is reported discontinued are the points that should shape a buying decision.
What the StarBlast 6i is, and what it is not
The StarBlast 6i combines a small reflector with a digital object-location aid. Two points matter most before you read anything else about it:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- It is a push-to instrument. The locator uses altitude and azimuth encoders to know where the tube points, then guides you toward a selected object. You do the pointing.
- It is not a GoTo telescope. The scope does not motorize tracking and does not slew to an object on its own. Once a target is centered, the sky keeps moving and you re-center by hand.
If you want a telescope that finds and tracks objects automatically, this model is the wrong category, whatever its database size suggests.
Key specifications
The figures below come from the Orion StarBlast 6/6i instruction manual (revision B, 2010), which covers this telescope and its IntelliScope locator.
#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.
| Specification | Value | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Newtonian reflector, 150 mm parabolic primary mirror | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Focal length and focal ratio | 750 mm, f/5 | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Included eyepieces | 25 mm Sirius Plössl (30x) and 10 mm Sirius Plössl (75x) | Manual lists magnifications with these eyepieces only |
| Focuser | Accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Finder | EZ Finder II reflex sight | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Assembled weight | 23 lb 8 oz | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Tube length | 28 inches | Manual, revision B (2010) |
| Locator power | One 9V battery | Manual, revision B (2010) |
A 150 mm aperture at f/5 is a fast, compact design. It gathers far more light than a 4- or 5-inch scope, but it is still a modest instrument compared with larger Dobsonians. Expect a scope that shows brighter deep-sky objects well, rather than one that reveals faint detail under poor skies.
How the IntelliScope locator works
What is in the object database
The manual describes an internal database of 110 Messier objects, 7,840 NGC objects, 5,386 IC objects, eight major planets, and 99 user-defined objects. Those categories add up to roughly 13,400 entries. Database size tells you what the locator can point toward, not what you will see. Many NGC and IC entries are faint and need dark skies and experience to find.
Step-by-step use
- Set the telescope on a stable, raised surface and insert the 9V battery into the locator’s battery compartment.
- Run the alignment routine. The TelescopicWatch review describes a two-star alignment, with the hand control giving directional cues during the process. Center each alignment star in the eyepiece and confirm it on the display.
- Select an object from the database on the hand control.
- Follow the prompts. SPACE.com’s 2012 review describes illuminated arrows that show which way to move the tube.
- Push the telescope in the indicated direction, stopping when the locator reports the target is centered. Confirm the object in the eyepiece, because the locator’s accuracy depends on how well you aligned it.
Alignment is the step most likely to determine whether the locator is pleasant or frustrating. If a target is consistently off-center, realign before blaming the database or the optics.
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
Setup, stability and the tabletop format
The tabletop design is what makes this scope portable. The 23 lb 8 oz assembled weight and 28-inch tube let you move it from a closet to a patio, and carry-to-site use is simpler than with a full-size Dobsonian. The trade-off is that you must have a sturdy table at the right height. A wobbly table transmits vibration to the eyepiece every time you push the tube or focus. SPACE.com’s review calls out the need for a stable table, and the TelescopicWatch review lists tabletop inconvenience as a drawback.
Plan your observing position before you buy. Check that the table is level, that it sits on firm flooring, and that you can reach the eyepiece comfortably while seated or standing. Expect the locator and optics to work best when the mount is not disturbed during a session.
What you can see with it
The 750 mm focal length with the included 25 mm eyepiece gives a wide field that helps you locate and frame deep-sky objects. The TelescopicWatch review says observers can see star clusters and nebulae with it, and that galaxies need darker skies to show well. Those are reasonable expectations, not guarantees. Light pollution, target altitude, the observer’s experience, and the optics’ alignment all change what appears in the eyepiece. The 10 mm eyepiece gives 75x, which can help with smaller targets on steady nights. Other 1.25-inch eyepieces can be added because the focuser accepts them.
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
How to weigh the published reviews
TelescopicWatch (John Haynes)
This review identifies the model as permanently discontinued. Its listed strengths are optics, field of view, mount stability, and ease of optional IntelliScope use. Its listed drawbacks are tabletop inconvenience, a higher price than a regular Dobsonian, and questionable value for the IntelliScope feature. Its scores and subjective observations are the publisher’s assessment, not independent laboratory measurements.
SPACE.com (published May 15, 2012)
This review is historical context. It describes the arrow-based locator and the need for a stable table. Its listed price of $483 was a 2012 figure and is not a current price.
Instruction manual (revision B, 2010)
The manual is the most technical source. It includes sections on collimating and cleaning the optics and on troubleshooting the IntelliScope. Whether a particular tool or replacement part is included with a used unit, or still available, is not established by these sources.
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
Buying a discontinued model used
The discontinued status comes from an independent review, not from a manufacturer discontinuation notice. Current retail stock, used-price ranges, warranty coverage, and seller return terms were not established. Confirm all of these on the specific listing before you commit.
When you inspect a used unit, check the following:
- The mount is undamaged and the tube assembly is secure.
- The primary and secondary mirrors are clean and reflective, with no visible damage or heavy residue.
- The IntelliScope registers movement without errors on its display during an alignment test.
- The hand control, cables, encoder assemblies, and battery compartment are present, if the seller claims a complete set.
- The EZ Finder II, both included eyepieces, and the manual are present.
If the locator shows errors, begin with the battery and a fresh alignment, then consult the troubleshooting section of the manual. If the problem persists after that, treat it as a defect rather than user error and factor the repair risk into the price.
Alternatives to compare
Before buying, compare the StarBlast 6i against these criteria: aperture, mount format, navigation type (manual star-hopping, push-to, or motorized GoTo), portability and setup, included eyepieces and accessories, and current price and stock.
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
The TelescopicWatch review names four alternatives: the Apertura AD8 and Zhumell Z8, both described as full-size Dobsonians, and the Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P and Celestron Astro-Fi 130. The review does not establish their current availability or prices, so check those directly before comparing.
A Dobsonian gives more aperture for the money but needs more space and more physical effort to move. A motorized GoTo mount tracks objects automatically but adds setup complexity and cost. The StarBlast 6i sits between these two approaches: more portable than a full-size Dobsonian, with computer-assisted finding but no tracking.
The Bottom Line
Buy the StarBlast 6i used only if you find a verified, complete unit at a price you can justify for a discontinued instrument, and only if you have a sturdy table to observe from. Its 150 mm optics and light, portable tube make it a capable first telescope for nearby, bright deep-sky targets. If you want automatic tracking, or a larger aperture for faint galaxies, choose one of the alternatives above.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →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.
