Advice: the Celestron Edge HD or Bintel GSO RC 10"

[RugbyRene (Rene)]

Hi all,

Need some advice on a new purchase I'm considering.

I currently have a Meade 8" LX-90 (which I will be selling if anyone is interested). I am looking at purchasing a new long focal length OTA for deep sky imaging. I've narrowed down the choice to either the Celestron Edge HD (9.25 or 11) or the Bintel GSO RC 10".

I've read a bit on both and they each have their strengths. So I was hoping the astro community could help me with my decision. Has anyone had experience with these OTAs? Which would be the preferred choice?

Cheers,

Rene

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

I only have the Edge HD, so can't comment on the other

The Edge has the "clutches" for imaging and locking the mirror


.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

The SCT has the advantage of much simpler collimation.

I have a vanilla C925. Unfortunately the Edge would be a little trickier as the visible coma in mine makes collimation with a camera very easy, the Edge would not show the same sort of aberrations.

[glend (Glen)]

Preferred choice for what? Visually the SCT is probably a better choice but for imaging the RC has the speed advantage. SCTs are renown for mirror flop issues, even those that claim to lock. GSO RCs are notorious for collimation issues. The Edge reducer is expensive, if you need it. SCTs are dew magnets, RCs are easier to dew control, with heaters on the secondary.

BTW, I have owned both an Edge and a GSO RC, but I don't own them anymore, that should tell you something. Too many dramas.