Got an itch...should I scratch it??

Ok, I'm pretty proud of myself... I got rid of all but 3 eyepieces that I use often, I'm down to my 8" SCT for scopes, and sold off all my other accy's that I didn't use for everything. Bare essentials really. It has been over a year with only 1 scope!!!

BUT (you knew there was a BUT), now I have an itch for a refractor (only had 1, and it was a Pronto). I'm looking at the Meade 5" or 6" LXD55 models (non Autostar). I've read some reviews...thanks Tom Pico. Can anyone else suggest something that I'd really enjoy in the price range of these scopes?? I've seen them pretty darn cheap, and new they are less than $700. I don't mind a 4" refractor either, but nothing in the apo price range.

Also, I'd like to hear from you LX55 AR5/6 owners.

Got an itch and it's really bad... someone help me out here

Hmmmmm. Refractor rig for under 700 . . . that is tough. C102HD is all I can think of, or a C102 tube on a CG-5 mount with homebuilt wood legs. I had an awesome C102 that could take 100x per inch in good seeing and had sub arc second resolution on double stars. It was a really good little refractor. I let it go when I got my 152ED (meade). $$$ is your friend when you get the refractor itch.

Hello there Anthony,

I'd say you've got a refractive itch to scratch your 8" SCT back ;-).

If you haven't seen a 5"/6" achromat in person, I'd recommend you do so; they're not small scopes. I'd say think about why you've got the itch (prognosis says something missing under the 8" miniscus which is causing a dermatitis ;-). Think about what you wanna use this 2nd scope for? Quick look? Wide view? On a moment's notice?

Everyone needs a least two scopes: one large and one small.

Ron B[ee]