|
Hmmm, consider choices
8" Meade LX90 LNT $2,999 (Astro Optical Supplies)
8" Meade LX90 GPS $3,599
8" Celestron CPC $3,900
or
8" Celestron SGT $2,699 (GE not fork mount) (Andrews)
9.25" Celestron SGT $3,699 (GE mount).
I know which one I go for (the last). I'd drop the fork mount and GPS and go for a 9.25" GE scope in a heartbeat. Whilst agreeing with all that is said above, I'd really ask does your friend travel alot? Cause if this scope is not moving far, or if it's only moving to places with known lattitudes and longitudes or if his car has GPS - then I'd easily sacrifice GPS as a gimmick for aperature as an essential.
Fork mounts somehow look lovely to an amateur, far more stable and sexy! When I first started planning my third and fourth scopes I was really set on a fork mount - mainly cause of the advertising budget they get. But alot of reading and discussions here and over the web absolutely changed that point of view. Consider, what is Meade's top mount - a GE. What do serious astro-photographers mostly use - GE mounts. What are Celestrons lower and upper range of mounts - GE mounts. GE mounts just have alot of advantages over Forks.
If your mate is viewing mostly from his backyard - strongly suggest a pier and a GE mount.
That "must be a fork" assertion should be challenged as a bit of flexibility there might generate a whole lot of more satisfactory outcome for him! He should really question why a fork is better and do a basic amount of research into that condition, it's costing him value.
|