Need Scope Advice

I have a 10" LX200 GPS UHTC

I find myself using it less and less, the main reason being that its a bit heavy and hard for me to set up solo.

I need advice...and am hoping someone out there can give me some pointers in the right direction.

Here are my options as I see them:

1) Build a perma mount observatory in the backyard so its almost always setup and ready to use.

2) Sell and get an 8" LX200GPS

3) Sell and get a Refractor (and if so what size??)

4) Deal with it.

My viewing preference is pretty open, i enjoy just about everything up there and i want to keep my viewing options open as much as possible. I also dabble in CCD photography a bit so that would have to be a consideration.

Any and all comments/advice welcome!

Thanks!

Hi, Dan.

A permanent setup is a huge convenience and I have to support that option. If you will still be moving the instrument around to other sites another option would be the Nexstar 11GPS. This is MUCH easier to transport and set up than the 10" Meade, and won't involve losing any aperture.

John