[QUOTE='[1ponders]']
billche.
Do you mean by "view the open sky from my notebook" that you can drive the scope with a notebook, or see on your notebook screen, what comes through the eyepiece? what notebook are you using?
Yes, view the open sky from my notebook/pc as I don't them queuing to view form the eyepiece. By using a DSI is an example. I have 1 notebook with 2000, 1 notebook with xp and a desktop with xp and they should be able to do the job.
$4500 can get you an aweful lot of equipment even for a goto. Myself I fell in love with an 8" Meade LX200GPS-SMT (Currently around $3200) for your price you could get the 10" but that would leave you with next to nothing for other accessories like a few extra good eyepieces, or a wedge for equatorial mounting for astrophotography. If you want the same views with a bit less cost and automation (still with goto though) then consideration should be given for the LX90 range. Same optics as the LX200, just not as many gizmos.
Currently around $3200????? Are you sure?? AU$? Where can I find it??
Celestron have a similar sort of range but I'm not familiar with their pricing structure. From research I've done in the last few months (I'm currently re-outfitting) the Celestron 9.25 SCT is for its size the premium mid-range Sct available today at a reasonable price.
If your seriously considering going the Astrophotography way then straight to the EQ mounted scope would be the least frustrating way to go, IMHO. Minimum 8" SCT/MakNewt on a good quality EQ mount (Skywatcher, Losmandy G-8 etc) can be expensive when set up for goto but the minimum stability if considering photography.
Good, firm advise, thanks. The issue is can I get a 8-10" OTA and a good EQ mount(with goto function)?? Further advise please.
