Best scope for $10,000

Hey guys,

I'm getting "aperture fever", really bad. I want to sell my Meade 10" LX200 Classic, and get something bigger. I keep it in my garage, as I have way too many trees around for an observatory. I will eventually mount my new scope to a trailer, and haul it to a remote spot in my area.

I also am using the Denk II Binoviewer, and want to continue using it.

In the mean time, I need your advice. What scope would you buy if you had roughly $10,000 to spend, and why. Remember, I have to be able to haul it on a permanant trailer. I prefer "goto" capabilities as well.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Starmaster 20" w/ Zambuto and full GOTO/tracking. Best combination of one-person portability and high performance. I personally would rather have a 20" over a 24" all things considered.

Doug

Well, if you like the LX200, there is a 16" one that's new for $15000, here on anacortes, but uh, that's nowhere near $10k now is it. However, I've seen it used for $10k on astrofieds, but now it seems that site is unreachable.
BUT, my own opinion though this is WAY out of my price range, would be for a Obsession 18. I have nearly wept at the eyepiece of my friends Obsession 20, and here's what I've come up with for your $10k:
Obsession 18: $5300
http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/18page.html

or Obsession 20: $6000
http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/20page.html

(breaks down into managable sizes for one person)
Plus they also offer to install Servo/Cat goto system for $2800 too:
http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/Servocat.html
That's $8100 for goto18 or $8800 for goto20 with $2000 (or 1200 if you're greedy) left over for shipping, Naglers, building your trailer, and taking your wife to a B&B and spa on the coast for a night to explain your purchases!
Tom.

My hat is off to you guys who'll scale the ladders. Since I can't bring myself to do that, and knowing Mr. Long likes binoviewing I'd....

Sell the Denk for $500, now I got 10,500.

I'd purchase 2 C11XLT OTAs and mount on a Losmandy Titan w/Gemini w/o tripod. I'd then have a custom built binoviewer rear made using high quality dialectric mirrors.

So

C11XLT OTA 2@ 2,095 = $4,190
Titan w/Gemini w/o tripod = $4,995
Twin mounting plate = $210
Custom binoviewer rear = $1,100

May have to scour used for the mount and ota's to get under the cap given shipping or binoviewer overruns.

I assumed permanent trailer included a pier, otherwise I'm going with 9.25in or used 11s. If $10,000 is more of a guideline than a rule, then I'd go for the 14s.

Regards,

Ron

Bigger is not always better. How about a 152mm Takahashi on a Losmandy 11 goto? That would be a great match for you binoviewer and would make a good platform for astrophotography.

Where are all of the refractor guys? Did they fall asleep?

How about a Takahashi TOA-130 Outfit with EM200 Temma 2 GoTo Mount?

With Tongue Firmly in Cheek,
Barry R. Fernelius

P.S. I'm with Michael C. and Doug W. on this one. Since Goto is desirable, get a 14.5" Starmaster with Goto and deluxe accessories. Keep the remainder of the funds in your pocket or make a peace offering to your wife.

I would get a 20" Starmaster with goto.