[adaregazer (Graham)]

I retired about four years ago to the country. I have been interested in astronomy since Halley's comet passed this way in 1986. I remember being on night shift in the police patrol car at Cleveland Point in the early hours with my binoculars watching the beautiful sight over the seven night shifts (it wasn't so busy in those days!). Anyway I digress! I have just sold my Skywatcher 135EQ2 reflector with motor drive and I have researched the net for my next scope. I did have trouble with the Skywatcher trying to locate objects and its bulky weight/size. I am interested in planets, nebulae, galaxies and general astronomy. I initially selected the Celestron Nexstar 130SLT at $749 but for $150 more I can get the Celestron Nexstar 4SE $899 at Telescopes Direct. Mostly I will be using the scope on my acreage property where there is mostly dark skies (apart from the street light outside the front!) I have considered a Dobsonian (bigger bang for buck) but size/weight/storing is an issue and I really like the GOTO facility on the Nexstar scopes. The way I see it is the less time I have to fiddle with a telescope in the dark with a red torch and have more time viewing objects is better for me. I wear reading glasses and it is annoying sometimes! I did have moderate success taking shots of the moon and running it through registax but I am still learning! Does anyone have the Nexstar 4SE and what do they think of it?

I have the following equipment: Canon 1000D, T Adapter and ring, Celestron 1.25" eyepiece and filter kit, Laptop with backyard EOS and Registax6 installed, 10 x 50 binos.