80ed vs. 100ed

Is there enough difference in the two as far as planetary, DSO, and imaging capabilities to merit the price difference.

Ive decided that one of these best fits my needs for a new scope but i just cant decide between them.

I can get the Orion 100ed on there SVP mount for the same price as the celestron 80ed with goto. I intend to have goto at least down the line for astrophoto tracking and quick spots with the kids.

so what is the popular opinion, do i get the celestron on a CG5 goto mount and upgrade the scope later, or do i go for the scope and try to upgrade to a goto later...or do i find some used deal with a good goto eq mount and buy the 80 mm to throw on top of the mix? thoughts opinions, am i retarded or would this work?

thanks

Chris, you could always look for a used CG5-ASGT mount (GOTO) and a Celestron C8 SCT to mount on top, which would give you a larger aperture scope, while staying light & compact for the mount to handle. (you could later on throw a f/6.3 reducer/corrector in the mix, to turn the f/10 scope into an f/6.3, which would be like having two scopes in one...)
This combination "should" cost you around $1000-$1100... for what I've seen here.

Just my humble opinion... as I had a C8 previously, and loved the scope...

Of course, if you are sure that a refractor is what you want, then I would say go for the 100ed, as this is going to be your only scope, and you'll want to get as big as you can... 8)

Clear skies! 8)

Yes.

>>>Is there enough difference in the two as far as planetary, DSO, and imaging capabilities to merit the price difference.

Ive decided that one of these best fits my needs for a new scope but i just cant decide between them.
----

I think it really depends on what you want to as well as what other scopes you have in your collection. For a single general purpose scope, the added aperture and resolution of the ED-100 would be a real advantage.

On the other hand, if you already have a larger scope, say at least 6 inches, certainly 8 inches, it should handle the planetary/DSO tasks, leaving "grab and go" and widefield observing to the refractor. In this case the ED-80 makes good sense.

With the potential for a 4 degree TFoV, I wonder about how useful the GOTO mount would be for the ED-80, I have the CG-5 ASGT and an ED-80 but my ED-80 lives on an alt-az mount.

Jon

well i think ive finally worked out my first scope purchase...tell me what you think.

I've tried desperately to get a c8 but everyone i try was sold months ago but not listed as sold, anyone else have this problem, its massively frustrating. instead of pressing my luck to get a complete set up pieced together with astromart ive decided to get a online order new set up, but ive found a nice way to work it out within my budget.

I am buying a Celestron ASGT 80 ED Refractor seeing as it has the goto mount that ive wanted.

to this im buying the C8 XLT coated OTA and ride the 80 ED on top for DSO and as a kick arse finder. Though im a little worried about weight.

Eyepieces, focusers, Barlows, Filters, and imaging stuff will come as we go but i figured this would give me a great little observing setup to cover my basis.

Any words of advise, criticisms, objections, kudos.

I think this rig will give me the most bang for my buck and allow for a longer lifetime as i continue to amass more of a collection down the line. Im a total gear whore and i think astronomy will break my back before it is all said and done (im a musician with 14 guitars, just absurd)

thanks for everyones input, ive been able to pick up sooo much just in the last week alone.

Chris