Link to Imgur album

My mods:

• Prostar Flockboard flocking
• Upgraded to aftermarket metal focuser [link]
• Bobs Knobs collimation screws
• Velcro. So much Velcro!
• Nasa graphic! Made it myself with my vinyl cutter.
• Strap to hold eyepieces in shelf during transport. Thought about buying a dedicated case for my eyepieces, but storing them on the scope is more compact. The strap doubles as a dust cover!

My gear and accessories:

• Eyepieces: Explore Scientific 24mm 68°, ES 14mm 82°, ES 8.8mm 82°
• Celesteron X-Cel 3x Barlow
• Astromania Laser Collimator
• Olight O-Bulb (magnetic red light that can stick anywhere on the OTA)
• Upgraded laser finder. (Not gonna lie, kinda just wanted a red one. And I think Telerad’s are just too big.)

I live in a relatively small apartment and wanted a powerful and compact scope for visual astronomy. I looked at a few options before picking ultimately the Starblast 6i. I really liked its size and the push-to, analog style operation. I’m still a beginner and wanted a little help finding things, but not TOO much help. While a Schmidt-Cassegrain on a motorized mount (probably a Celestron) might rival this, they’re more expensive and might make it too easy for a beginner in my opinion.

I also like that the dob style base gives me lots of places to mount accessories. I have mixed feelings about the tabletop design, but it works well enough and allows the scope to be stored under a desk. However, the 6i’s plastic focuser is just not great and makes this telescope especially overpriced for what it is. I bought mine for $500 in October 2021. The price has since skyrocketed to $600+ and currently seems to be unavailable. Still, there isn’t much else like it on the market!