help me decide PLEASE!!!

I'll keep it short and sweet

Im new but extremely passionate and intuitive about astronomy and physics, this is more than a hobby.

I have around $1000 for my very first real scope.

Im going to be doing some astrophotography planetary and dso's using more than likely a dsII pro

so far i like these...

meade lxd sn 8"

meade lx90 gps

meade lx200

I need help in determining which would be the best for a begginer, i need the goto option, and i suppose it needs a gem for the imaging side. what do youguys suggest, and are ther any other options or brand models i should explore? please do help i feel as if this will get lost in the 10's of thousands of threads here. thanks very much.

Attached Image:

All those scopes are outside your budget. Even a used SN8 and the DSI Pro II are outside your budget.

If that is truly your budget, you may want to consider some other setups.

Clear skies,
Brock

Chris, is that $1000 for the telescope only? If so, look at the Meade SN6 with Autostar and UHTC coatings, for $999. It has the shortest focal length in the LXD75 series (760mm) giving you the widest field of view; it has fast F5 optics; it is smaller and lighter weight than the SN8 so the mount will tend to track easier (especially with additional weight of camera, guidescope etc.); thermal stabilization will be easier and quicker than the SN8. You WILL need dew control for the corrector plate, either a heater or dew shield. I made a dew shield for my SN8 out of 10" aluminum flashing and duct tape.

David E

Im sorry, didnt mean to confuse, though i really appreciate the response. I DO NOT intend to do everything off the bat, i will by the imaging stuff later down the line once im more fluid with my spotting, but i want to start off with a scope that i wont have to sell in three months to get a better one for imaging. as far as the price range ive found used items of all those scopes with mounts for $1000-$1300 here in the wonderful classifieds of astromart. telescopes.com has the Schmidt newtonian 8" lxd75 with autostar and equitorial mount for just over $1000. Im looking to see some good detail, i dont want a dob though, gem mount, goto would be nice but not required as i already know the skys really well. Im new to the telescope but astronomy is something ive grown up studying, ive lived in downtown atlanta for so long i just never had the oppertunity or luxury of a telescope. Thanks again everyone for any help, im checking in everyday to see what you guys think because you know more than me.

Chris:

Even a purist like me has moved over to the GOTO camp. Getting a GEM GOTO up front will also help you deal with that corrosive feeling called buyer's remorse. If you are anything like most of others in this hobby, you will constantly be wondering if you should have gotten a better telescope. If you can afford it, get a mount with GOTO software that can be upgraded via the internet. There are "bugs" in many of the programs that need to be dealt with over time.

Same goes for aperture. I think the general consensus around here is that an 8 in SCT is a good, versatile scope that will give you years of pride and pleasure. It certainly did the trick for me.

Then there is the decision to buy new or used. Having gone both ways, I can assure you that most amateur astronomers take good care of their equipment and buying used is not as risky as it may appear. 8 in SCT are so common you may be able to drive to a seller to test before buying it.

We are all eagerly awaiting your decision.

Rey

so it seems as far as money goes, and in conjunction with your imput thus far i think these are my choices...

Meade LX90, w/ UTHC and autostar, but it hasnt an equitorial

Meade LXD75 SN 8" w/ UTHC and autostar, but its not a SCT which seems to be a popular choice.

Celestron C8 SGT XLT w/ coatings, goto, and EQ mount, but im not sure how these compair quality wise with the meades.

Im still thinking about the LX200 for its industry standard type reputation and the images on the meade site look the most diverse and dynamic )though i know thats alot about the photographer), but it seems that i can get more options and bang for my buck with either of the others.

I still really want your imput, everything so far has been a great help. and please if im missing anything that you personally think would be a better choice Id love to here it, im very new to gear, my astronomical oberserving up untill this point has been naked eye, binoculars, and the fernbank observatory when i lived in atlanta (who were using LX200's as secondary scopes outside the actual observatory). Thanks again

Desperately seeking saturn