My new scope

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:16 am Post subject: My new scope

Hey everybody I am getting down to it now on deciding on which scope to get. I am having a little trouble now that I am so close lol. I am down to the Celestron CPC 11" and an apochromatic refractor to be named later. Things I want this scope to excell at are deep space mainly and stunning views of the moon and planets wouldn't hurt my feelings lol. SO if you good folks could give me a little insight on which scope I should go for and if I should go with the apo, which size should I get to see similar if not better images. Thanks for the reply's when and if I get them lol.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

You are playing two different games at once, here. Planets are one and deep-space is the other.

If you are passionate about planets and are passionate about image quality (definitely me), then you want the APO refractor and the bigger, the better. However, in larger sizes, this also requires a truly good mount and that may be as expensive as the OTA, so don't budget strictly with the OTA in mind.

A 4" refractor or larger is no slouch for deep-sky work, but the best 6" refractor will not keep up with an 11" SCT if you are playing the deep sky game and that's coming from someone who loves refractors. If seeing the faint fuzzies is your thing, go with the big scope. Then, too, an 11" SCT will also do a wonderful job on planets. As much as this refractor gal hates to say it, if you want to do both planets and deep-sky, the 11" is the better choice.
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Navalastronomy · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

I was leaning toward the 11" CPC as it was but after seeing your comments and being a self-proclaimed refractor nut it kinda seals the deal in my mind. Thankyou very much for your prompt feedback. Very Happy

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

One refractor nut to another - go for it. They are just too addicting for me to pass up.
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Carl · Guest

Whenever someone wants to buy the "all purpose" telescope, they enevitably come away with something that lets them down in special areas of interest. The solution? Well, you end up owning several telescopes.

Here is an example of what one often ends up with:

* 14" to 16" (or larger) Dob for deep space viewing.

* 10" or 11" multi-purpose SCT. Some photos.

* 5" to 6" refractor for planets and quality. Some photos.

* A couple of smaller scopes for grab-and-go, often quality refractors in the 60mm to 90mm range.

* A shockingly large collection of eyepieces and barlows and filters, etc. However, you will likely find two or three eyepieces become your favorites, while the rest become nifty conversation pieces.

* 10x50 binoculars (and maybe some giant binoculars with expensive mountings as well.)

This collection of optics won't come overnight. It will likely take several years to get everything unless you're rich. The insturments themselves become addictive and are often equally interesting to your interest astronomy itself.

Meanwhile, that 11" SCT is one heckuva general purpose telescope! Later, you might add a mid-quality binoviewer, which will likely blow your mind. I suspect you will always love this scope, for a good modern 10" or 11" SCT is such a wonderous gadget that rivals JPL space probes in its complexity. Also, it really looks cool! (Wink.)

Carl · Guest

BTW -- I own several such instruments, but my favorite is still my 10" SCT, which I bought in 1989. It uses manual setting circles, not a computer.

I'm due for a new SCT, and I'm still wavering between a new 10" Meade, or the 11" Celestron. I have many factors to consider, including weight and bulk. I'm leaning toward the Meade mostly because I'm familiar with the Meade AutoStar, as I use my old LXD55 mount with a 5" refractor. (It's a good combination for my needs.) I find myself wondering how awkward it might be to use a Celestron computer system now that my brain is wired to the Autostar.

I will caution you -- those larger SCTs are a hefty load to lift during setup. A good back is essential, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise if you have a bad back. Ergonomic designs for lifting can only do so much for you.

A young (but tiny) female in our astronomy club bought an 11" Celestron SCT. She's strong, she's healthy, but she could not handle the load. Thus, she sent it back and bought an 8" SCT from them. It does everything she wants, and she is happy.

Most of the SCTs in our club are 8", either from Celestron or Meade, for males or females. One guy owns a 14" Meade. But he's bigger than the telescope, so he can handle that 125 pound lift without a problem. Make sure you have the physical size and power to handle the SCT that you must lift. Otherwise, you won't use it much.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

The old maxim that "the best telescope is the one you use the most" still applies. I know of too many examples of owners who bought more scope than they could handle with the scope ending up stowed in the basement.
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Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject:

Hi, I just wanted to say i own a CPC1100 xlt and the scope is magnificent for deep sky and planets. I been doing astrophotography for only a year now and i have some really nice photos. The scope is easy to use, easy to setup ( requires a little strentgh) and collimation is pretty easy after you do it the 1st time.
The only negative thing about the scope is sometimes i will tell it to go to an object and the scope will keep slewing past the object and doesnt stop unless i hit a button or turn it off-on again, not to big of a deal cause alignmeant is pretty easy and fast. When alignmeant is done correctly the scope is always on target with the objects right in the center of the eyepiece.....other than that 1 problem my cpc1100 is an excellant scope for the money. Fortunantly i purchased mine when Cellestron had the $200 rebate. Nice buy!

Dave · Guest

Carl,

I have to say that the list you gave of the end state of an avid telescoper (?astronomer) is one of the best things i have read. I am a big picture thinker and seeing that end state really lays out the landscape for me.

First, I am interested if Joanie has a different landscape.

Second, I have one specific question. I understand the refractor has better quality than the SCT, but would a 5 or 6 incher really compete with the 10 or 11 SCT for planets and such? Is the quality that much better (in general?).

Thanks

Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

Thanks for the nice comments. We appreciate it.

It really is a matter of quality, so you can't make blanket statements about refractors, here. Not all refractors are created equal and it would take a truly good refractor - a high end APO - to keep up with an 11" SCT for planetary work. Even then, by the laws of physics, an 11" scope will still resolve finer detail, but there is more to image quality than sheer resolution. You also have to consider contrast, color rendition, light transmission and so on. In this respect, a premium 5" or 6" APO refractor is in a class of its own. Such a refactor, a la a Takahashi, Televue, Astrophysics and so on will actually cost more than an 11" SCT, however, and will still not match up to the larger scope for finding the faint stuff. On the other hand, to look through one of these fabulous refractors (and I have many times - even a 6" Astrophysics) is dangerous for an optics addict, especially one like me on a limited budget. Ouch.
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Guest

Thank you!

What do I give up other than an inch in going with this 10" SN (versus a 10 inch SC above)?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/meade-lxd75-sn-10at-schmidt-newtonian-telescope-with-uhtc.html

Thanks

Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

You give up quite a bit on portability - a 10" SN is definitely longer and heavier than a 10" SCT. You also get a different focal length on an SN vs an SCT. This is neither good nor bad. Just depends on your application. However, it much easier to alter the focal length on an SCT than it is on an SN. Also more accessories available for an SCT.
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sjw · Guest

Best point ever!!! The best scope is the one you use!!!!! I can't say this enough- My little 5 inch reflector logs so much more time than my BIL's 11 SC!!! He needs 2 people to get set up (and his wife is an absolute daytime person)- I can setup my 5 inch in under an hour (alignment an all). He takes his son with him to star parties and setup takes him over an hour (take out tripod- setup, go back to car get tube, setup- go back to car get lenses, handcontroller, counterweights- setup- go back to car get seats, coffee- well you ge the picture) Don't get me wrong- the views in his eyepiece are amazing- but they are few and far between! ME- well I can cary the tripod and scope in one trip- the lenses,seats, and other goodies in one trip- plus I'm blessed with dark skies right in my own yard- so anytime I get the urge (and the skies) I can walk out the backdoor and start gazing!

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

Thanks sjw - a point I can't make enough. Look at it this way - you've been at work all day, you're tired, you have maybe an hour or two at best before you head for bed, but the sky is clear and you just spent a lot of money on a new telescope. Be honest. Which scope is most likely to get used? A 4 or 5" which requires short setup time and little cool down time or a big scope which requires disassembly, several trips and a long cool down time? I can't tell you how many times I've wrestled with this demon of a decision, myself, and I personally know many, many big scopes that are currently collecting dust because their owners just can't deal with the time and effort it takes to get setup when time is short or they are tired.

If you are going to invest in a truly large scope, plan ahead. Either think in terms of a permanent observatory, even if nothing more than a shed or putting the scope on wheels so you can roll it out of the garage as needed. If you have to take it apart every time you use it, there is a good chance it will spend more time indoors than out under the stars.
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3 bean chilli · Guest

I agree with Joan K, 100% I just got home from work and I am to tired to setup my 11'' CPC. So i take out my 5'' Mak during the week, and i save the big one for the weekends, Since I only have a few hours to setup, gaze, and pack it up before i call it a night and go to work in the AM. Its good to have a smaller scope and larger one for situation such as mine.

Nice topic!!