Need to buy a small quick set up scope

I own a 10"lx200. But I need another smaller scope. Something I can set up in 2 minutes, of good quality (possibly goto) in the $600 to $900 range.
Any suggestions? (Oh, I forgot, I have a GP mount with drives I's hope I could put the scope on.)

I'd go for a Borg 76mm ED, it's in the middle of your price range ($800 new) and is part of a very adaptable system. It is very lightweight, you could mount it on a nexstar 80 mount if you decide you want goto (there is an inexpensive adapter made by Borg for this purpose). The best part is that if decide that you need more aperture, you can upgrade to the 100ED optics without selling the whole scope. I would definitely stick with a shorter focal length instrument since you already have a long focus instrument. Another option would be an Intes MN56, which would definitely give you the best planetary views at this price point and be light enough to work with the GP (not exactly 2 minute setup though). Just thought I'd drop in these suggestions before the Stellarvue people chime in :-)

Clear Skies,

Joplin

IMHO, anything that rides on a GEM automatically takes it out of the "quick look" category, but YMMV. For your stated price range, I would go for something along the lines of a StellarView (SP?) AT1010 on the TV Panoramic or Telepod mount. The Telepod and Panoramic often come up on Astromart at very good prices. My good friend Owen (see above post) uses this set up and it is very nice indeed.

I currently use as my grab and go (in addition to a Starmaster 11" ELT) a Pronto on the Panoramic and it is about as fast a set up as you can get. I leave the Pronto/Panoramic setup in my living room, so all I have to do is grab a couple of eyepieces and a barlow and head out the door. I am out and observing in less then two minutes! The Pronto is also my solar scope, which is the main reason I bought it.

Also, I think it important to mention that one needs to realize the purpose of a "grab and go" outfit so that you are not disappointed. I went through several of these setups, selling each one as I was disappointed in what they were showing me. I finally came to the realization that the purpose of such a setup is to get my eyepiece fix in on a night of limited time. I could not expect to see the same things that I did through my 11" or my 18" scopes! I have also known others who dumped their small scopes because "it couldn't compete with the big scope". That is not the purpose of a small scope. These small scopes are great for their intended purpose though, and will show you nice views of brighter open clusters, the Moon and even some halfway decent planetary views. Just don't expect it to match that 10" LX200!

Sorry for the long ramble...

Doug
Midway, FL