Posts Made By: chris price

Im sorry, didnt mean to confuse, though i really appreciate the response. I DO NOT intend to do everything off the bat, i will by the imaging stuff later down the line once im more fluid with my spotting, but i want to start off with a scope that i wont have to sell in three months to get a better one for imaging. as far as the price range ive found used items of all those scopes with mounts for $1000-$1300 here in the wonderful classifieds of astromart. telescopes.com has the Schmidt newtonian 8" lxd75 with autostar and equitorial mount for just over $1000. Im looking to see some good detail, i dont want a dob though, gem mount, goto would be nice but not required as i already know the skys really well. Im new to the telescope but astronomy is something ive grown up studying, ive lived in downtown atlanta for so long i just never had the oppertunity or luxury of a telescope. Thanks again everyone for any help, im checking in everyday to see what you guys think because you know more than me.

so it seems as far as money goes, and in conjunction with your imput thus far i think these are my choices...

Meade LX90, w/ UTHC and autostar, but it hasnt an equitorial

Meade LXD75 SN 8" w/ UTHC and autostar, but its not a SCT which seems to be a popular choice.

Celestron C8 SGT XLT w/ coatings, goto, and EQ mount, but im not sure how these compair quality wise with the meades.

Im still thinking about the LX200 for its industry standard type reputation and the images on the meade site look the most diverse and dynamic )though i know thats alot about the photographer), but it seems that i can get more options and bang for my buck with either of the others.

I still really want your imput, everything so far has been a great help. and please if im missing anything that you personally think would be a better choice Id love to here it, im very new to gear, my astronomical oberserving up untill this point has been naked eye, binoculars, and the fernbank observatory when i lived in atlanta (who were using LX200's as secondary scopes outside the actual observatory). Thanks again

Desperately seeking saturn

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

I dont know the specific capacity but i think the lx90 itself weights about 60lbs. so i doubt it. For any astrophotography your gonna need a wedge if you dont have it yet. Most would recomend a german equitorial mount for any kind of long exposier tracking photography. I have a ASCG-5 and im pushin it to its limit with a C8 with a 80ED ridin' up top. As far as the fork mount goes though Id think that an extra 15lbs. or so might be a bit much., but just my pinion.

well it seems as though the poor little guy doesnt cut it for any price so far. I appreciate the suggestions, a newt has not come into consideration quite yet for me so I'll be checking them out. Basically in my range are...

90+ maks
10" dob
up to a 120mm refractor
66 doublet Apo
150mm newt
possibly a used c5???
80 ed refractors
or any of the new celestron omni xlt series if anyone knows anything about these.

portability is the key so im aware of the comprimise, and the only reason i bought the etx 125 was price and possible resale value. can it really be that bad of a scope that all astromarters cant stand it. Im not a fan of the cge5 mount, it is bulky and cuts down on portability but i know i want a good stand, so in turn the more portable the ota the better. Dobs are pretty much out of the question for my situation. Appreciate all the insight fellas.