Help a newbie out....

I'm looking to make my first scope purchase and will likely be spending around $1400.00 - $2000.00. I think I want a SC. Things that are important to me:

1. Size. Littler package, biggest results that can fit into the Jetta.
2. Accurate tracking/Goto function.
3. Good/Great resolving power.
4. Good condition.

Things that aren't as important:

1. New
2. GPS
3. Cooling down time (I'm in Florida)
4. Astrophotography (yet)

I'm thinking an 8" or 10" LX 200. (BTW How important is the UHTC?) Thoughts or suggestions would be quite helpful.

8-10" SCT, maybe a Nexstar 8i since you are not interested in GPS. Any bigger and they get heavy and take a lot of room.
New the 8i is about $1,300-1,400 and it has all you are asking for as well.
Many more are about the same price. Meade has one too.
If you did not want go-to I would say buy a DOB and get good images for less.
Floyd

Some random thoughts:

1. If you haven't seen a variety of scopes in action, do so. A first hand look at the types of scopes can be quite an eye opener. Finding out that it takes 1 minute to set a 10 inch DOB and 15 minutes to set up and align a 10 inch SCT can make a difference. The need for dew shields, dew heaters, motorized focusers...... Star party or club viewing session, local astronomer...

2. Cooldown is less important in warm climates but it is still an issue to contend with. That mirror distorts if it is not thermally equilibrate and it takes only small difference to cause problems.

3. The LX-90 would probably be a good choice if you are firm on an SCT.

Jon Isaacs

Hi:

I've used all types of scopes and have owned everything from a Pronto to a Meade 16" equatorial. Currently, I have a truss-tube 12.5" and think I've finally hit the mark (between portability and resolution). I have owned both 8" and 10" SCTs and feel confident in telling you that the 10" is SIGNIFICANTLY more of a pain to cart and set up. The images are better, but not that much better. Personally, if I had $2000 to spend (and wanted the same things you want), I'd buy a decent used 10" Dob AND a used Pronto (or equivalent). You'd be amazed at the images the little refractors give on most "stuff" and the wide fields are incredible. BTW, I would recommend staying at f/5 on the Dob - I think it'll still fit in a Jetta. If you were to get a truss-tube 10", I'd go to f/6...

Good luck and keep us posted!

Pat

That's a lot to spend on a first scope. Keep in mind some people buy equipment and only then find out they're not quite as interested as they first thought. I started with a 5" SCT (Celestron C5+) and it did a great job; the newest model is the NexStar 5/5i which with the goto is a great starter, IMO.

If at all possible, take the previous advice to go to a star party. Nothing compares to being able to look through a few scopes before deciding.