From a C9.25 to a . . .??

Hello,

I am looking for opinions.
I have a c9.25, on a GM8/Astrosky Dominator. Great setup for my original intention of imaging, but I have decided to skip that for now.
What I'd like is a smaller, more portable, visual setup. Also, my skies seems to be worse than I thought (clouds, under the jetstream, etc). Can you help me with some pointers to a more appropriate setup?

-lighter and more portable, more consolidated.
-greater ability to cut through marginal seeing (refractor?)
-I'd like GoTo on this one
-I love planets, lunar, and DSO
-Something sharper and more contrast? Mak-Cass or refractor?
-Probably in the 1500 or less range. used is no problem, and I can sell some of what I have to reach the goal.

I guess in my head i was looking at something like the ETX-125? Maybe plopping that on my current pod?
Any help is appreciated, I don't know much about the current GoTo scopes.

All help is appreciated!
Jeff

Jeff, I don't own one but from what i've heard the 9.25 is about as sharp and contrasty as you are going to get on any compound scope of this size. Cloudy nights has a review between the 9.25 and th 7" meade Mak and the 9.25 won hands down so an etx isn't going to beat what you have. a 4" APO refractor may and you might be able to get a used one for the price, but a goto mount will be extra. I had a Nexstar 5 and sold it, bought a Stellarvue 4" APO and a celestron CG5 goto mount. The views are great but i'll tell you what - I miss the portability of the nexstar compared with the APO on the cg mount. I could literally set the nexstar up in 5 minutes and the convenience of an alt-azimuth mount over an EQ mount makes a big difference if you just want a quick look. Just my 2 cents.

Jason.

I would definitely consider a Nexstar 8GPS or an LX90. They are much more portable than your setup and offer the convenience of Goto. I think they are both great general purpose scopes for visual use and neither would take over a few minutes to haul out and setup.

Randy

Jeff, I too think you will be hard pressed to find something better yet smaller than what you already have. If it were me, I would try to find an older Meade 8" LK-90 as your quick look scope. Sell the G-8 to buy it, and then find a G-11 or a CI-700 for the 9.25 for future imaging and when you need absolute stability.

Walt

I'd suggest holding onto the C9.25 AND purchasing a smaller, portable scope. I think you'll regret not having the larger scope for those occasions when you have the time to set it up, while having a more portable scope (5" mak or 3"-4" apo) will let you do the casual observing you want to do.

Jeff, I have a suggestion for you to consider. Buy a 6" F/8 refractor from Meade or Celestron including their GO TO mount. Either one will set you back a little more than a grand. To reduce chromatic aberation, buy a Baader filter. Upgrade the diagonal to 2 inches. Buy as good a binoviewer as you can afford. Double up your favorite eyepiece. Darn! It's hard to live within a budget!

Anyway, my portable scope is a Meade LXD75 6" F/8 and I am very pleased with it. Still in the process of upgrading.

Give it some thought.

Russ Schnitzer