First purchase and I can't decide, please help...

EricV · Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

Hello all,

First let me state that when it comes to telescopes I'm a complete newb. Which is why I must turn to all of you. Despite my frantic rush to learn as much as I can over the past couple weeks to make sure I'm spending my money wisely I'm still at a complete loss. Here's my situation. My son (12y.o) and I are both wanting to upgrade from our current POC department scope that mom got him and get something that will do the following.

1) Last a long time
2) Allow us to view many types of objects ranging from the Moon to the ever so beautiful DSO's.
3) Allow him to get started with Astrophotography after he's advanced further into his photography classes.
4) Not have to worry about being able to find accessories (filters, eyepieces, etc) 2 to 3 yrs down the road when I've resaved the $1k+ that our purchase will set me back.
5) And most importantly allow us to enjoy a peacful evening in the country for hours on end looking at all the heavens have to offer.

And after a couple of weeks of reading articles, learning about the different types of scopes, terminology, etc. I've narrowed my choices down to the following.

Celestron C10-N GT Reflector
Optical Design: Reflector
Aperture: 254mm
Focal Length: 1200mm
Focal Ratio: f/4.72
Mount Design: CG-5 Equatorial
Highest Useful Magnification: 600x
Limiting Magnitude: 14.5
Resolution: .54 Arc Seconds
Resolving Power: .46 Arc Seconds
Star Diagonal: 1.25 inch
Price: $1199

Celestron NexStar 8 SE
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 203mm
Focal Length: 2032mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Mount Design: Single Fork Arm-Altazimuth
Highest Useful Magnification: 480x
Limiting Magnitude: 14
Resolution: .68 Arc Seconds
Resolving Power: .57 Arc Seconds
Star Diagonal: 1.25 Inch
Price: $1399 ($1199 with $200 mail in rebate)

Meade ETX-125PE Astro Telescope Premier Edition - UHTC Coatings
Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
Aperture: 127mm
Focal Length: 1900mm
Focal Ratio: f/15
Mount Design: Dual Fork Arm
Highest Useful Magnification: 250X
Limiting Magnitude: 13
Resolution: 0.9
Resolving Power: 0.9
Star Diagonal: 1.25 Inches
Price: $999

Celestron C6-R GT Refractor
Optical Design: Refractor
Aperture: 150mm
Focal Length: 1200mm
Focal Ratio: f/8
Mount Design: CG-5 Equatorial
Highest Useful Magnification: 354x
Limiting Magnitude: 13.4
Resolution: .92 Arc Seconds
Resolving Power: .77 Arc Seconds
Star Diagonal: 1.25 inch
Price: $1069

Meade LXD75 SN-10 AT - w/AutoStar - UHTC Coatings
Optical Design: Schmidt-Newtonian
Aperture: 254mm
Focal Length: 1016mm
Focal Ratio: f/4
Mount Design: Equatorial
Highest Useful Magnification: 500X
Limiting Magnitude: 14.5
Resolution: 0.46
Resolving Power: 0.46
Price: $1399

Celestron C8-S GT Schmidt-Cassegrain w/XLT Coatings
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 203mm
Focal Length: 2032mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Mount Design: CG-5 Equatorial
Highest Useful Magnification: 480x
Limiting Magnitude: 14
Resolution: .68 Arc Seconds
Resolving Power: .57 Arc Seconds
Star Diagonal: 1.25 inch
Price: $1514
*** Is this the same scope as the Nexstar 8 just with a different mount?

Meade LXD75 AR6-AT w/AutoStar - Achromatic Refractor
Optical Design: Refractor
Aperture: 152mm
Focal Length: 1219mm
Focal Ratio: f/8
Mount Design: Equatorial
Highest Useful Magnification: 300X
Limiting Magnitude: 13.4
Resolution: 0.76
Resolving Power: 0.76
Star Diagonal: 1.25 Inch
Price: $1199

I hope I detailed all my selections enough to help you help me with this growing headache. A side note. $1199 is pushing the budget but if I have to push it further to the $1514 mark I'll find a way if it means the best for my son and his future wants and needs. Thank you all in advance for any advice you can offer.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5173

Hi

For astrophotography, any of the computerized equatorials are ready to go, but equatorials come in dead last for portability and ease of use in my book. On the fork or arm mounted mounted SCTs, you will need to add a wedge for astrophotography, but I still lean toward an 8" SCT on a fork or arm mount for the most versatile scope you can by - more accessories for this scope than any design - and also for portability and ease of use. In the long run, it's the scope you use the most that is the best.
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