Cazzie..... telescopes

[luckydog]

My wimpy 4" Celestron ain't cuttin' it.
I'm REAL close to ordering the 8" Nexstar SE.
Reviews look good.........except for lack of accessories.

Any thoughts ??

LD

[Cazzie]

My wimpy 4" Celestron ain't cuttin' it.
I'm REAL close to ordering the 8" Nexstar SE.
Reviews look good.........except for lack of accessories.

Any thoughts ??

LD

Busier than a Catholic at Happy Hour right now LD, I'll get back with you.

8" is a definable edge over 4-in in deep sky observing. You need dark skies for any. Make sure it has clock drive and tracking. Get two good eyepieces, add more. Best to start with a wide-angle 25 or 40-mm and for high-power, go with a 12 to a 15-mm eyepiece, wide-view preferable.

Gotta get back to the homework table with the kid.

Caz

[jmig]

Busier than a Catholic at Happy Hour right now LD, I'll get back with you.

...

Caz

Now THAT is funny! Nothing like the monthly "men's" dinner.

[Cratermaker]

I love this book--->>> The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Astronomers-Guide-Terence-Dickinson/dp/155209507X)

I think anyone should read it before buying a telescope. Get it through inter-library lone if you have to. It's worth it.

[Cazzie]

I love this book--->>> The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Astronomers-Guide-Terence-Dickinson/dp/155209507X)

I think anyone should read it before buying a telescope. Get it through inter-library lone if you have to. It's worth it.

Anything published by Terance Dickerson is two thumbs up by me! :applause:

Another book by him I highly recommend after purchasing a telescope is NIGHTWATCH: An Practical Guide To Viewing The Universe:

http://www.amazon.com/Nightwatch-Practical-Viewing-Universe-NIGHTWATCH/dp/B001TLF0PO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264034153&sr=1-3

Caz

[luckydog]

Thanks for the PM, Caz.........

I've been lookin' upwards since I was about 10 yrs old, using binocs, spotting scopes, cheapo reflectors and refractors, etc. I'm familiar with optics / light gathering abilities.
I've enjoyed "Stellarium" and "The Sky" for years.

Basically, what I was asking was: would you spend $1200 on a Celestron NexStar 8" SE ??? (plus accessories)
Or go Meade or Orion ??

Money isn't a factor.........I'd go for a 12", but I want something reasonably portable and the damn things weigh too much!!

Thanks
LD

[Cazzie]

I am really not that familiar with Orion scopes LD, thought they only sold scopes.

I am just a Celestron man LD, meade scopes are fine, but for the extra $200. or so that you pay for a Celestron, I'd say you get your money's worth. Anorther thing to consider, Celestron is home-made in the USA.

Yeah, I'd like a 10" or 12" scope too, but my old body can just barely haul around the 8" scope. They are lifetime investments, well-taken care off, a good scope should be good for several generations.

Caz