Suggestions? $1000-$1500 ish

Looking for a good all around scope that travels well (airplane, camping, etc...)

Something in the $1000-$1500 range.

Would prefer something that has at least tracking capabilities, goto would be nice too, would also like something that works decent for pictures using my digi cam (i have the connector).

Suggestions? (I would like a refractor of some type personally but dont have much experience with them so im not sure which are good)

Dan, you might have a tall order. If you are looking for a goto refractor in the $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 range the one that come to mind is the Orion ED80. As for a mount something like the new Celestron CG5 goto may be a good choice. You are probably looking at 35 to 40 pounds.

Another alternative would be a used 8" SCT, and the Celestron mount.

Good Luck,
Richard

Do you really need goto? If so, a Celestron Nexstar may be a good fit for you. My first serious scope was a Celestron Super C8+ on a Byers Drive fork mount. I got spoiled by that scope and when I bought a Nexstar, I was disappointed. I sold it and got an Orion 120mm short tube on a Meade LXD-55, I liked the scope, the mount sucked rocks and I sold both. I bought a Celestron Ultima C9.25 and love it. I can carry the scope in one hand (nice handles) and the tripod in the other (other gear in a back pack if I don't want to make two trips) and it's OK for a couple hundred yards. A friend of mine has a Meade 10" SCT and his scope is much heavier. I always found the EQ mounts to be a big pain to transport due to the weights and all the pieces. Did I mention that I really like the C9.25? A C9.25 on a goto CG-5 with the roller bearings and 2" steel tripod legs may be a good setup, I just prefer fork mounts (a decent EQ mount will eat up your budget and leave you with nothing left for a scope).
Good luck,
John

Dan,

My vote is for a small refractor attached to a Kenko motorized Alt-Az mount. Borg sells a number of small refractors and the said mount in a variety of combinations. Their 4" Achro refractor is recommended - it provides very good images, is easily disassembled, and the price is very reasonable. They also have a plethora of photographic adaptors for your digicam. Check it out at www.hutech.com.

Simon

I second Gordon's idea. Also, the Vixen NA120 is bigger, still light at about 13 to 15lbs and will fit perfectly on a LXD55. You can find one for sale on an auction site for under $1500 w/ GP mount. Sell the GP, buy the LXD55 and you are set w/ enought to buy an ep or two. You don't have an airline portable scope but you can take great photos and have enough aperature for some deep sky and short focal length for widefield views. I had a VIxen NA140 w/ GM8 I took camping throughout WI and MI's UP. It weighed only 14 lbs and setup was five minutes. You can always add a little Orion 80mm short tube in a month or two for flight. 2cents.