Hello again,
I continue with my struggling research of the "perfect" buy in the multidimentional matrix of options/factors to consider when it comes to selecting the "right" telescope/mount/GOTO/imageing/autoguiding combination for me.
Please tell me what you think of this (yes you may assume I'll stick a camera on the system (hopefully in time a light weight cooled ccd, and we can assume i'm straying from fork mounts a bit as tempting as they are...they do look sooooo cool):
1) I am considering buying a Skywatcher 10" on EQ6 with skyscan GOTO SW252SKY (about $3k). In time i may put an Advanced Ritchey Chretien 10" (maybe 12") as prices fall (another $3300 ?). This will enable me to master the basics and yet have a good enough mount to "upgrade" later keeping the total somewhat reasonable.
1a) Alternatively I am considering the LXD75 SN 10" (aprox $2800)
but not sure if the mount would support later "upgrade" and how well it compares with an EQ6 GOTO. Not sure about future autoguiding limitations. But it just looks soo nice!
2) Or should I get the C11 SGT XLT with starbright coatings ($4500)
not sure how good the mount is. Not sure if all C11 OTAs are as good as each other. This would forfeit my option of eventually upgrading to a Ritchey Chretien (not enough in the coffers...). Not sure how the C11 of this SGT would compare with a RC 10".
I'm also unclear as to whether or not there is a difference between EQ6 and HEQ6 (Google search doesnt give much, only write up i find of HEQ6 describes EQ6-suggests terms are interchangeable). I'm assuming HEQ6=EQ6.
I'll leave the quagmire of camera/CCD/autoguiding options for another post (unless I get seriously flammed for the above questions, in which case i'll just go and buy equipement blindly!)
Any ideas/suggestions/coments (and offers of donations-kidding) will be most welcome.
Thanks
I really appreciate (and trust) all the input i read on this site.
Boy am I glad I discovered it BEFORE committing to anything!
Hurry! The astrobug has got me bad and I'd like to purchase something that could be delivered (and mastered) yesterday...
Spearo