nexstart8i vs 8gps

Hi,
I'm a beginner...My son and I spent the whole summer doing visual and binocular observation and are ready to purchase a telescope.

I was thinking about the nexstar 8s. My questions are these:

I note that the 8i with upgrade handheld and GPS is several hundred dollars less than the 8gps (after rebate), but the fork arm on the 8gps seems like a much sturdier arrangement.
Is the single support arm as opposed to the fork arm a big deal and worth the difference in $s?

The 8gps also has built-in GPS and I am wondering if I will be sacrificing future upgrade ability with the 8gps.

My budget is around $2k (including the money I need to sneak past my wife) and would appreciate any comments/opinions/suggestions/feedback.

Thanks in advance,
bob k

I've got a Nexstar 8 ( while I wait for a scope on order to be built ), so can give you some feedback.

I decided AGAINST the GPS version. The $$$'s just didn't seem to be worth it. I can do a manual 2 star alignment in a couple of minutes...it's pretty easy.

I *might* have went for a GPS if I were to go globetrotting with the scope.. OK, in blunt, I think GPS is more of a marketing gimick than anything else.

I'm also getting skeptical of "40,000" object database. How long would it take one to get through 18,000 objects? Many of those objects are in the wrong hemisphere, or are objects only a specialist would enjoy. I'm finding about 300-400 objects are plenty to keep me busy and interested!

STURDY? At a star party, I brought the Nexstar 8 in under cover when there were some hefty winds about 3 AM. While we were asleep, the "shelter" got blown over! The Nexstar was on the ground. I had to open it up and snap in a "C" clip that had popped, and that was it... recollimated, works fine.

The Single arm hasn't been a problem. Heck, it's metal on the inside. And my critter has a lot more to move around... Ray's brackets, a hefty rich field/2" diagonal.. and I regularly use a Panoptic 35 and Nagler 17 on it ( big 2" eyepieces ).

Of course, if you intend on repeatedly bashing the scope into the ground OTA first, the double arm support may be prove useful. : )

I've determined that ALL scopes have their ideosyncrasies. Each scope has strengths and weaknesses.

Recommend you go to y a h o o and join the appropriate groups and read what real users have to say. I found that helpful. Also, take a peek through 'em at a local astronomy group's meeting, if possible. ( Use the same eyepiece... they're 50% (or more) of the image quality, imo ).

Personally, I found that the Nexstar 8 creates an image better than a base Meade 8...given the same collimation and sky... but that may be a scope by scope thing. I haven't had a peek through an 8 UHTC yet, so don't have an opinion.

And yeah... if you can spring for a 10", go for it. DON'T go down to a 5"... In the 8" I can see the Whirlpool faintly, M81/82 very nicely, the Ring big and pretty, the Veil with an OIII...but in a Nexstar 5 or ETX125 all nearly impossible except with averted vision and moving your head back and forth for an "I see a faint smudge!". Not saying you can't get 'em... but the bigger the aperture, the easier it is to see detail and get a pleasing image.

Your mileage will vary.

Finally, check out the weight of the various options, particularly if your son is getting old enough to set it up himself. A couple of pounds can make a big difference for some people.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob,

Since you're on a budget and if you don't plan any serious CCD or photographic imaging I'd suggest getting the LX-90 rather than the GPS200. Also, stick with the dual fork arms as the longevity of the single arm support is questionable since all the weight has to be born by one bearing.

Having tested both the Nextstar and the GPS200 I still prefer the Meade for design and ergonomics as well as accuracy in the field.

Might I ask why you're not considering a Dobsonian as a first scope? A good 10" would provide more light gathering capacity as well as fit a budget quite nicely. Plus you could then afford some nice extras like eyepieces, filters, and even digital setting circles.

Have you visited a local astronomy club yet? Before deciding on that first scope, go to a few star parties and do some viewing through several different telescopes.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to make the first telescope you buy one you can easily setup and use without hassle and time constraints.

Clear Skies!