Just getting back into this wonderful hobby after a few decades and would like to buy a newer 'scope. Here are some criteria so my choices can be narrowed down.
1. My main interests are DSO and just browsing star fields such as in Cygnus - Milky Way stuff. Occasionally some planet shots.
2. Budget ~ $4,000, would have to include a couple eyepieces
3. Astrophotography is something I'd like to at least dabble in
4. I live in a light-polluted suburb of Seattle where mag 3.5 - 4.0 is about what I can see with the naked eye.
5. For now it has to be somewhat portable. Maybe when the kids all leave I can move to AZ or NM and build something permanent. Any given section of the equipment should top out at 30-40 pounds for me to comfortably handle.
Eyepiece advice also welcome. I was thinking a 10-12" Meade/Celestron on an EQ, but don't really know everything that is available.
1. My main interests are DSO and just browsing star fields such as in Cygnus - Milky Way stuff. Occasionally some planet shots.
2. Budget ~ $4,000, would have to include a couple eyepieces
3. Astrophotography is something I'd like to at least dabble in
4. I live in a light-polluted suburb of Seattle where mag 3.5 - 4.0 is about what I can see with the naked eye.
5. For now it has to be somewhat portable. Maybe when the kids all leave I can move to AZ or NM and build something permanent. Any given section of the equipment should top out at 30-40 pounds for me to comfortably handle.
Eyepiece advice also welcome. I was thinking a 10-12" Meade/Celestron on an EQ, but don't really know everything that is available.