Telescope Reviews: XT8 Classic can it be made into Intelliscope?

1) I don't believe Orion sells the necessary encoder parts separately from purchasing an entire intelliscope-equipped telescope. NOR DO I believe they sell the bases separate from the scopes. However, I DO believe they sell the COL (computer object locator) itself separately, or at least they used to until recently (you used to purchase it as an optional additional accessory to an intelliscope encoder-equipped system). But that wouldn't do you any good without the matching encoders that the COL is programmed to work with.

2) Some people HAVE salvaged the alt and az intelliscope encoders from a disused Orion intelliscope and mounted them on a different scope. Getting the azimuth encoders to function properly would be a matter of proper placement and a minor bit of woodworking aka particle-board working. However, various aspects of the differing designs of the altitude bearings in the non-intelliscope versions vs the intelliscope versions of Orion dobs might pose some difficult problems. Notice that in the intelliscope versions, the altitude bearing is seated *inside* the base walls (as is the altitude encoder mounted on the bearing shaft), held on by two threaded bolts with large outside handle-equipped heads, whereas in the non-intelliscope version, the altitude bearings sit *atop* a cutout in the base walls (where would you mount the encoder to make it function properly as designed, and how?).

3) Also, the design of the intelliscope base/altitude bearings provide for an adjustable altitude brake (via a small bearing mounted inside the base wall of tha altitude bearing shaft), whereas this feature simply isn't possible to implement the same way in the non-intelliscope version.

Perhaps it would be simpler to either:
a) sell your XT8 classic and buy the intelliscope version (what I did, and got an XT12i);
OR
b) instead use a third-party DSC kit/system that might permit more compatible installation options. I don't know whether e.g. SkyCommander DSCs would work with an XT8 classic or not. You might need to custom-build your own base and bearing system to make it work, salvaging just the OTA from your XT8 ???

IMHO a) is the most reliable, least risky option to get yourself an intelliscope-equipped Orion dob. You'd have to buy a complete intelliscope version anyway just to get the necessary base part.

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Chris M., aka "First Sight"
Orion XT12i Dob with Moonlite CR-2 focuser
WO Megrez 90 refractor on UniStar Light mount
Nikon 10x50 Binoculars

Edited by FirstSight (11/18/09 04:01 PM)