NextStar Evolution vs Lightswitch

[Adrian Aitken]

Any thoughts about an 8 or 9.25 vs the Meade competitor lightswitch? Thought I'd go for the NextStar Evolution.

[jenchris]

Why are you going for a single arm mount?

[casstony]

I don't know what the Meade price is but if the Lightswitch was a lot cheaper I might choose it because the Meade ACF optics are better than the Celestron standard SCT, with stars in the outer field looking better in the ACF.
Otherwise I'd choose the Evolution since the tube is easily detached from the mount, making the setup more portable. The internal battery and ability to use an ipad, etc to control the mount are points in favour of the evolution too.

Another alternative is the Celestron Advanced VX; it's a little less portable, more flexible in what it can carry but still quick and easy to align for visual use. Nothing wrong with the single arm mount though, I have an Advanced VX and a CPC mount converted to single arm, both of which I like very much. If portability is a strong priority the Evolution is a good choice.

[Greenswale]

I have been using my 9.25 Evolution for about a year. My aim in buying it was to have reasonable aperture, known performance from the OTA, easy prortability, simple (quick!) set up, simple and effective usage.

Tick all those boxes. Quibbles are jitter when focusing at high mag (caused by touching the OTA), getting used to the slight backlash, and the need to gear the focuser down, achieved by adding a 'donut' to increase its diameter.

Use of a focal reducer didn't excite me, I have gone to a high quality 2" diagonal and low power 70 degree 2" eyepieces to achieve acceptable wide field views, which appear brighter than with the FR and 1.25 eyepieces. See my signature for eyepiece details. Add in a heated dew shield and a (light!) lithium ion battery mounted to the mount handle for the complete system. Only one lead to connect, and no leads dangling about!

This gives me a less than 5 minute set up, a few seconds to connect the wi-fi, a couple of minutes to align, and away. I am using Sky Safari 4 Pro on my iPad. Take down is similarly quick and easy.

Simply, I like it. Really enjoyed seeing seven stars in the trapesium at the Snake Valley camp a few days ago. This means the OTA is performing to specification, and my ageing eyes are still working well!