Hello,
Here's one that is an exercise in your personal preference.
I've developed a condition (multiple myeloma) that has caused me to become much weaker and I find that my 62# Meade 10" CAT is getting too heavy for me to move comfortably. I have a Scopesaver on the tripod so putting the scope on the tripod isn't that bad right now.
I see a time in the not too distant future where moving this thing to a dark site won't be possible without help, so I am considering another scope.
I purchased an Orion Skyview Pro 127 Mak that I am very happy with. I believe the optics are at least as good as the Meade's but I would like more aperture.
Here is what I have come up with as possible solutions to my problem.Some of you can probably come up with better solutions than I have.
Trading my 10" Meade Cat for an 8" Meade Cat.
Trading my Meade for a 10" Celestron with a German mount (each component would weigh less and be more manageable).
Selling my scope and getting a portable Dob, like an Orion or similar 10" (might still be too heavy).
Going the Truss DOB route with a TScope 13 or 14" or similar--Really my first choice, a lot of bucks, but you only live once.
I've seen several truss dobs for sale in the classifieds, but most sellers want pickup only and here in Louisiana I would have a long drive to Arizona or California where most seem to be sold.
So, what would you guys do? Although I have been into astronomy for over 40 years, I am not an equipment expert by any means so this is a serious question.
One more thing is that I really like Newtonians, and the chance to go up in aperture, even if I give up tracking would be a plus in my book.
Any and all opinions are welcome. And if you have come up with some way to easily move a 10" Meade Cat, I would be interested in that too.
Thanks guys, I really enjoy following the threads here and occassionally responding when I feel I have something positive to add.
Good skies everyone,
Tom Bourg
Baton Rouge, La--where Ivan didn't hit.
Here's one that is an exercise in your personal preference.
I've developed a condition (multiple myeloma) that has caused me to become much weaker and I find that my 62# Meade 10" CAT is getting too heavy for me to move comfortably. I have a Scopesaver on the tripod so putting the scope on the tripod isn't that bad right now.
I see a time in the not too distant future where moving this thing to a dark site won't be possible without help, so I am considering another scope.
I purchased an Orion Skyview Pro 127 Mak that I am very happy with. I believe the optics are at least as good as the Meade's but I would like more aperture.
Here is what I have come up with as possible solutions to my problem.Some of you can probably come up with better solutions than I have.
Trading my 10" Meade Cat for an 8" Meade Cat.
Trading my Meade for a 10" Celestron with a German mount (each component would weigh less and be more manageable).
Selling my scope and getting a portable Dob, like an Orion or similar 10" (might still be too heavy).
Going the Truss DOB route with a TScope 13 or 14" or similar--Really my first choice, a lot of bucks, but you only live once.
I've seen several truss dobs for sale in the classifieds, but most sellers want pickup only and here in Louisiana I would have a long drive to Arizona or California where most seem to be sold.
So, what would you guys do? Although I have been into astronomy for over 40 years, I am not an equipment expert by any means so this is a serious question.
One more thing is that I really like Newtonians, and the chance to go up in aperture, even if I give up tracking would be a plus in my book.
Any and all opinions are welcome. And if you have come up with some way to easily move a 10" Meade Cat, I would be interested in that too.
Thanks guys, I really enjoy following the threads here and occassionally responding when I feel I have something positive to add.
Good skies everyone,
Tom Bourg
Baton Rouge, La--where Ivan didn't hit.