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I currently have the Meade LX90 with GPS and a Skywatcher Equinox ED120 [same as Orion EON] on a HEQ5 mount. I prefer the ED120 for planetary observations and the Meade for DSO's. As I am more into visual planetary observing the ED120 gets used more.
The CO on the Meade does affect low contrast details on planetary observations.
Coma is a mild concern – the AFC version should reduce that.
I sold a Celestron SE8i recently to help finance the ED120. I had issues with getting exact collimation with the Celestron. Images tended to be soft with noted coma. It may have been a faulty version.
Refractors and SCTs are different scopes and have different compromises and strengths.
The SCT does need a long cool down time and exact collimation. They are easy to view with and do give a bright image.
The APO does give ‘snap to focus’ sharp images. The images are contrasty.
Aesthetically I prefer this. Also as I get older I prefer fewer hassles with my equipment and have become a bit of a perfectionist with the images I am viewing.
Even at being ‘almost’ 5 in. it does give sharp DSO images with excellent contrast. The Meade does slightly ‘see’ a bit deeper.
APOs require less cool down time and they require less ‘maintenance’ to give perfect images. Of course cost is a concern esp. for the ‘top end’ versions.
Personally - and this is my opinion - get a 5 in ‘APO’ - like the ED120 or the new 127 Triplet on a HEQ5 / EQ6 type mount. These give excellent sharp CA free images without the cost of the ‘top end’ APOs and then later on get a 12 in DOB for DSO work.
Anyway if you could view thru various scopes this will give you more of an idea as it is a personal issue.
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