Quote:
Originally Posted by mac
Hmm, some compelling thoughts there, coldspace - thank you. I guess I'll have to mull it over some more. The SCT scope I'm looking at doesn't have GOTO, so I'd still have to hunt for objects myself. But the tracking on it would make a difference once an object is located...
In terms of astrophotography, I'd love to get into that - but just couldn't afford to buy all of the equipment involved.
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Finding something can be just as rewarding as actually looking at it and sometimes even more so. You don't need GOTO but if you should want it later then encoders for the Argo Navis could possibly be added to the SCT to give you Push To. Astrophotography is easier with the SCT since you already have the tracking and perhaps add a focal reducer or tele-extender depending on what you want to image (neither essential for good lunar shots).
I have been a 10" Newt Dob owner for many years and recently got a C9.25 SCT and it is now my primary observing telescope mainly for the tracking ability and seated viewing comfort. The Newt Dob wins on widefield low power performance and ease of moving from object to object but I can take more of the image in simply by having tracking. I was getting a fantastic Jupiter last night that stayed in the middle of my eyepiece in my SCT and I'm sure the Newt would have given perhaps better contrast but at 200x the image just moves too quickly and even a Nagler soon runs out of field.
For equal dollar I would go the SCT now. You can always add a Newt later since their new costs are relativey inexpensive compared to new SCT costs.