Need help in midrange scope

starryNY · Guest

Hi, Im trying to choose between two midrange scopes. Ive already published an excellent 10" dob and a 90mm goto refractor in the past off of your site and now I need something in between that is very portable and yet has decent aperture for high magnification work on the planets, the moon as well as terrestrial. I was looking at your excellent deal for $349, which includes the C130 plus the Celestron Heavy Duty tripod (my work with this scope would be 50% terrestrial for digiscoping with a point and shoot digicam and 50% astronomical for visual use as well as for lunar and planetary astrophotography with the same camera). I also saw the etx125 uhtc pe on sale for $698 and I was wondering whether the etx125 was that much better to warrant twice the cost. I see that it comes with the autostar goto and it has better coatings (by the way would the celestron coatings "wear out" after time or not?) but how much difference does it make in terms of how much detail you can see? I like that the C130 has a carrying case that comes with it, that would be an extra $150 with the etx125. But right now, I dont know which one to go for. I live in a light polluted locale on Long Island, NY, about 20 miles east of NYC and I need a scope with portability for both daytime and night time use but if the etx-pe uhtc coatings last longer and give me another inch of aperture in terms of light throughput, maybe I should go for that? Im also concerned about the celestron heavy duty tripod, how high magnification can it take? I wouldnt use more than 200x-250x, and I would hope it could handle that much. Also, is the goto of the meade inconvenient when using it for daytime use? That is, can it be turned off when one is digiscoping or is it on all the time-- in which the C130 would be a better choice for me for all-around use?

Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

To add to the confusion, I also found this:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-omni-xlt-127-telescope-schmidt-cassegrain-11084.html

It doesnt have the goto, but perhaps the shorter f/ratio SCT design of the 5" sct is better than either the meade etx125 or c130? My only concern is can I use that both for daytime and night time use? Will I miss the goto or am is the trade off for a faster f/ratio worth it?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

Price is a good indicator of optical quality and, yes, the ETX-125 is an optically better scope than the the C130 in terms of sharpness. It is also a better built scope, mechanically. With the ETX, you are also getting a computerized, fork mount which is far more useful for astronomy than an inexpensive alt-axz like the Celestron tripod. You do get what you pay for, here.

200-250x on an inexpensive alt-az or even a photo tripod is going to be a joke. That magnification ALWAYS requires a serious astronomy mount. The ETX is up to it, but not the Celestron.

Either scope can be used for day work, but neither is going to be portable enough for field work. Throwing either over you shoulder and heading out on the trail is a mistake. if you are serious about digiscoping, both are overkill. Stick with an 80mm spotting scope if you are passionate about digiscoping. Leave the big stuff for astronomy.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

Sorry for all these posts, but I found a 6" sct on your site for only $639!

http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-c6-s-telescope.html

Do you have many of these in stock and will this product be around for awhile? I thought the nongoto celestron sct line had been phased out? But if theyll be available for awhile, it might be the best of the bunch!

Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:

Thanks for the reply Joanie. I have a 90mm refractor I use for daytime use, but Im really looking for a portable instrument for lunar/planetary photography. But that 6" sct really caught my eye, as Ive never seen one priced so low. I could probably use that for some deep sky work as well! Im wondering if theyll be around for awhile as I'd love to get a second one for my father on father's day.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

That will sure work, but you'll need the computerized and motorized GT version for astrophotoigraphy or at least add a motor drive. Also an issue of portability. That's why I would also look at the Nexstar 6SE, though you would need to add a wedge for serious astrophotgraphy.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your help. I was also wondering if the Celestron omni xlt 127 and the C6-s can be taken off their equatorial mounts and put on an alt-az tripod for daytime use? They would make for phenomenal spotting scopes during the day!

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

Unfrotunately, not without some modification. Not going to be a simple bolt-on operation. Going to have to fabricate something.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks. What is your best recommendation for dual daytime-night time use?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

Any Televue, but especially the TV-76 or TV-85. What they lack in size they make up for in absolute superb image quality and will do anything you ever need to do for planets. Just a matter of how much you want to spend.
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Guest · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

Joanie,

I've been trying to get my head around this same idea (cropped up a few times now) but am struggling Confused

A TV-76 is a 480mm scope. Is it reasonable to expect the normal planet / moon magnifications, as this seems to be really pushing the availability of eyepieces ( 3mm to get x150) and the normal maximum magnification 'rule' of 2per mm.

Is this the compromise to get sensible workable daytime use ? As my earlier post I'm feeling more to an 80-20 or 90-10 bias towards sky use and see terrestrial use as a bit of a bonus *after* getting the right astro scope for me.

regards
Bill

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

You can throw out a lot of the rules when it comes to APO refractors like the TV76. It will perform well beyond what you would expect for a 76mm scope. Have had one up to 200x on an excellent night for planets and double stars by using the appropriate barlows, but 150x on an average night hardly breaks a sweat.

Always choose your scope based on your primary need. A compromise typically leaves you short on both ends. I like small APO refractors for astronomy, since they fit my current observing site, style and so on better than a large scope.
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