Meade LDX75-SC8 vs Celestron C8SGT vs ?

jedancer · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

I am looking for a new scope - here are the parameters

1. Total cost must be less than $2000.00

2. Portability - the scope will not have a permanant fixed location and so must be relatively easy to move, store and setup.

3. Good Views - I want to be able to see good detail of both planetary and deep sky objects.

4. CCD Imigary - I want to be able to capture, track and stack images and share with others.

I currently have an Orion 127 Mak which has scored very well on items 1-3 but is lacking for use with a CCD setup. It has no built in drive and the add-on drive does not track very well, is difficult to slew and is not capable of auto guiding.

The information on the Meade scope indicates that it does all the above incuding autoguiding - the Celestron scope seems to have more optional equipment like GPS but I found nothing on autoguiding - lack of autoguiding might outweigh the f/2 capability of the scope.

Any comments would be welcome - is their another scope which might fit the bill better than either of these?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:41 pm Post subject:

Hi

Both the Meade and Celestron are great scopes, but currently the most popular is the LXD75 mount. For astrophotography, it would be my first choice.
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jedancer · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Well I took the plunge and purchased the LDX75-SC8 and so far have been very happy with the performance that I have achieved :D

I am a little confused about the options that are available for remote control of the focus and micro focus options. I found the following options:

1. Meade 1209 Zero Image Shift Micro Focuser
2. Meade Electric Focuser for LX Scopes

What I would really like is to be able to have this device plug into the AUX port of the mount and be able to control the focus remotely thru either the Autostar or the computer or both. I don't really want to have another remote in addition to the Autostar.

Are either of these capable of working in this way :?:

Thanks for all your help