Replacement for Meade ETX-80

You are very welcome.

The [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/celestron-brand.html]Celestron[/link] astronomy [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link] will get you slow motion controls and is a better choice for objects high overhead than a photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link]. It, however, is no more stable or heavy duty than a good photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link]. It will certainly handle a C90, though and it is hard to beat for the price. Otherwise, a dedicated astronomy mount for a C90 will cost you more, and perhaps much more, than a C90 is worth.

One more question: What type of [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link] would be a good upgrade for the C90? I see several in many price ranges, so looking for something reasonable, but stronger than a photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link]. There is a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/celestron-brand.html]Celestron[/link] Alt/Az for approx $95 - is this a significant upgrade over the included photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link], or should I look for something a little higher in price/quality?

Thanks again!

Thanks for recommendation!!

Hi

The C90 definitely gets you an improvement in performance, both optically and mechanically (especially ease of focusing, compared to the ETX 80). The C90 is a very good choice in that price range for a dual purpose scope with its ability to use standard [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/telescopes.html]telescope[/link] eyepieces and take a conventional photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link] as a mount, though photo [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripods[/link] do have some limitations as astronomy mounts. Be my first choice for your application in your price range.

Need a replacement for our [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/meade-brand.html]Meade[/link] ETX-80; looking to go for better scope in place of the computerized operations, which we never used anyway. Like having the ability to do Daylight / land and sea viewing in addition to night time viewing (mostly interestedin moon and planets, some stars/celestial objects). Trying to stay in teh $250 range fo rinsurance purposes, but willing to pay that for a good scope and add myown $$$ for [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tripods.html]tripod[/link]/mount. Examples of [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link] that interest me are the Clestron 90 Mak or Sky Scout, and the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/vixen-brand.html]Vixen[/link] 80mm refractor on the sale pages.

Looking for a recommendation based on my needs and for your opinion on upgrading to the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/vixen-brand.html]Vixen[/link].