6 inch CATs, satisfied?

For over a year now, I've been debating on selling my 10 inch dob. I know it's not HUGE, like a big 20 inch truss, but I'm finding that since I got it, I hardly ever observe. I also have a 6 inch richfield newt, but since the dob shows so much more, I kinda feel it's either that or nothing. So, I usually opt for nothing. At night I just never have the energy to drag the big scope out from the back bedroom. (It's a Discovery F5.6 10 inch so one of the bigger 10 inch dobs).

I mostly like the planets and moon + a few of the showy deep sky objects. Never find myself galaxy hunting in the back yard light pollution anyway. My only problem, is the 10 has good optics, I've seen incredible detail on Jupiter with it. I hate to lose that, but also hate not using it much.

So, to make a long story short (I know too late LOL), anyone have a 6 inch Celestron SCT or 6 inch Mak (Orion?) and are satisfied with the planetary and lunar views?

Thanks!
Ron

wow no one? :S

Hi Ron,

I had a C6 for a little while and thought it was very good optically. It gave very good planetary images and I really liked it.

I sold it, however, because it wasn't as good on planets as my 8" SCT which isn't as good as (but very close to) my 8" certified dob.

To me the 8" vs. 6" are so close in size that unless there is something really driving towards the 6" I would go 8".

That said, I think the C6 did everything a 6" scope should do on the planets and moon (and anything else), I really liked it but couldn't justify keeping it in addition to an 8" SCT.

matt

Hi Ron,

Have you checked out the new Celestron 8 SE? This has to be the most portable 8" cat ever. That and it has enough features to keep you busy even on cloudy nights

Personally, if it were me, I'd sell the 10" Discovery and get the 8". It is about half the weight and still big enough to get great views. Mainly, you just need to drop the 10" and get a scope that will get you out there more often.

I owned a Meade Mak 7". Although the views were breathtaking, they were few and far between due to the closed tube design. Managing the temp inside the tube meant runing the fan an at least an hour before viewing and most of the time during viewing. If the tube does not come with a fan, good luck, as I doubt the tube temp would ever catch up with the outside temp. One night I noticed tube currents and started the fans. When I did that, the tube fogged up inside. I sold it after that and am now using refractors.

Ron Sowers said:

For over a year now, I've been debating on selling my 10 inch dob. I know it's not HUGE, like a big 20 inch truss, but I'm finding that since I got it, I hardly ever observe. I also have a 6 inch richfield newt, but since the dob shows so much more, I kinda feel it's either that or nothing. So, I usually opt for nothing. At night I just never have the energy to drag the big scope out from the back bedroom. (It's a Discovery F5.6 10 inch so one of the bigger 10 inch dobs).

I mostly like the planets and moon + a few of the showy deep sky objects. Never find myself galaxy hunting in the back yard light pollution anyway. My only problem, is the 10 has good optics, I've seen incredible detail on Jupiter with it. I hate to lose that, but also hate not using it much.

So, to make a long story short (I know too late LOL), anyone have a 6 inch Celestron SCT or 6 inch Mak (Orion?) and are satisfied with the planetary and lunar views?

Thanks!
Ron

Ron if you want a portable setup think about an 8" SCT with a Vixen GP mount. This is if you can keep the scope at ground level.

You can also look into a 6" Mak. I would suggest trying to find a TEC on Astromart if you have the $$.

Clear skies,
Richard

>>At night I just never have the energy to drag the big scope out from the back bedroom.<<

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There's the rub. I've experienced it too. The best solution I found was to keep the scope outta the back room(s) completely. Park it by the door. Or better yet, in a breezeway, garage or shed. We don't keep the fridge in the bathroom. Nor the stove in the attic. Scopes are for outdoors. Observing the heavens is an invaluable recharge and countermeasure for the typical rat-race day, so make it easy.

Yep, when I first moved a scope to just inside the outside door, there was some squawking. Had to relocate a bookcase to make room for it too. Bummer. But it was one of the best moves I made toward observing. It greatly increased ep time.

Hi,

I used to have a 8" LX200, which is now sold and still working perfectly for the owner.

I kept it outside for three years covered by a tarp which was then covered by a desert storm cover lashed by bungee cords.

I kept a 7 watt bulb under the covers when not in use to avoid condensation. It was out during rain, sleet and snow. I experience no problems and had a 30 sec set up time.

I also did this with a Mountain Instruments MI 250 goto mount which was outside for 2 years and my Mewlon 250 which was kept out for weeks at a time.


Larry

No one really likes 6 inch CATs then? (either SCT or MCT)?

I have seen a lot of replies on how to change my setup, where to store my scope and things like that, which are great, but I guess no one really has had or enjoyed a mid sized CAT like that?

That surprises me as so many people own 6-8 inch SCT/MCT's. I figured a lot would rave about their planetary views!

Cheers!
Ron