[monoxide]

Hi guys,
i need some serious advice here as this will be my last big purchase for quite a while.
i've been looking for a scope that would be a good all rounder for visual and imaging (both deep sky and planetary) while still being lightweight and portable to ride on my HEQ5 and i've settled on an 8" SCT.
im already leaning towards the C8 as its a lot lighter than the LX200 and thats good news for my mount.

i really dont know a whole lot about SCT's but for some reason i've always wanted to get one so i guess ill put it this way....

say i was to get the C8, what would i need to deck it out for both imaging dso's with my QHY8 AND doing a bit of planetary work with either the QHY5 and a filter wheel or a SPC900NC, i wouldnt say money is no object but id rather spend a bit more and get accessories that dont need to be replaced. also what could be potential problems relating to an sct? i've seen people posting with problems regarding a bit of play in the primary mirror.

also how hard would it be to piggyback the ED80, i wouldnt really want to drill any holes if i can avoid it

if i work out the weights it goes something like this:
C8 + ED80 = ~8.2kg
LX200 + ED80 = ~11kg
add both cameras + other accessories and bits mabee another 2kg to be generous and thats cutting it pretty fine for the LX200 id say, mabee past the 'photographic' load whereas the C8 probably just scrapes in.

by now i guess you've worked out that i dont really want to hear that the LX200 is better but... lemme have it..

sure i could have researched a lot of this myself but i wanted to avoid marketing hype and people that cant see past a particular brand name. plus i wouldnt really be interested in hearing things like 'the C8/LX200 sux because ive got the other brand'
plus i like to hear from people that may have been using a similar setup for what i plan on using it for.