Ordered a Nexstar 8SE

Crusader · #1 29-08-2009, 07:01 AM

After giving up hope and patience that the Skywatcher Auto-Tracking Dobs will get the Go-to sorted I've broken down and ordered a Nexstar 8SE. It's hellishly expensive here (as in Aus) but I'm hoping it's worth it. Since it ate my astro budget for the next 10 years it better well be!

andrew2008 · #2 29-08-2009, 08:08 AM

Congrats on purchase. Was looking at these myself and if i wasn't interested in getting into astrophotography i would be getting one myself. You get great optics, portability, go-to, tracking, abliitly to change OTA's with mount. You really shouldn't be disappointed.

Moon (James) · #3 29-08-2009, 09:40 AM

Good luck with your purchase

- it's a top scope for visual use. Very portable, reliable and easy to use.

I just sold mine

Just packed it up and I'm about to take it to the post office and send it off to a new home.
It was my first scope, and I'll miss it.

Moon (James) · #4 29-08-2009, 09:43 AM

Forgot to say there is an active yahoo group called 'nexstar' and a dedicated sub-forum over on CN you should keep and eye on as well.

Crusader · #5 30-08-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon

Forgot to say there is an active yahoo group called 'nexstar' and a dedicated sub-forum over on CN you should keep and eye on as well.

Already on the CN sub-forum. Will look into the Nexstar Yahoo group.

I think my main problem is getting over the price. Being a Dob guy I constantly think about the aperture the same amount would have bought. That being said I did get the SCT for the compact design, and I'll still have my 10" Dob to fall back on.

It was a very difficult decision to make. The fact that the OTA could easily be placed on another mount and should work decently for photography if I ever decide to go that route was the deciding factor, that and the fact that on occasion I have to stand in for a Astronomy Tour Group to show people planets and the like. For personal use a Dob is fine, not so much if you have a group of waiting eyes.

It's also a childhood wish fulfillment for me. When I was still at school the 8SE was THE scope I always wanted to own. Guess I can scratch that one off of my list now.

If I may ask, who did you sell your 8SE?

Moon (James) · #6 30-08-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

If I may ask, who did you sell your 8SE?

It was a new IceInSpace forum member who made contact through IceTrade.

stephenb (Stephen) · #7 30-08-2009, 08:53 AM

Congrats Crusader, A great telescope. You'll be happy with it, I'm sure.

There is a big following for the NexStar series, especially in the US on Cloudy Nights.

Also, check out http://www.nexstarsite.com/

I may buy an 8SE in the near future.

The only negitive as a visual scope is that you cannot disengaged the drive and move the OTA by freehand. i.e. no power, no manual observing. But not a big deal.

mickqueensland (Mick) · #8 30-08-2009, 12:04 PM

Hi guys,

I am looking at ordering a 8SE or a C8 SGT. Does anyone have an idea which is better? Easier to use, lighter to carry, better mount, power use etc etc?

Sorry, I dont mean to hijack the thread so congrats on ordering you 8SE Crusader. I am going to take the plunge I think, the financial controller has given tentative approval for a splurge on a scope and I have pushed and pushed the budget as far as I can

I ask this question here since I am so close to an 8SE but the C8 is $400 cheaper....

Cheers
Mick

Crusader · #9 30-08-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon

It was a new IceInSpace forum member who made contact through IceTrade.

Sorry, I meant "Why did you sell your 8SE?" Don't know why I type "who" - must have been a long day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickqueensland

Hi guys,

I am looking at ordering a 8SE or a C8 SGT. Does anyone have an idea which is better? Easier to use, lighter to carry, better mount, power use etc etc?

Sorry, I dont mean to hijack the thread so congrats on ordering you 8SE Crusader. I am going to take the plunge I think, the financial controller has given tentative approval for a splurge on a scope and I have pushed and pushed the budget as far as I can

I ask this question here since I am so close to an 8SE but the C8 is $400 cheaper....

Cheers
Mick

No problem Mick. I think it comes down to what you want to do with the scope. The 8SE should be much easier to setup and use for visual viewing since it's Alt-Az you won't need to worry about polar alignment and such.

For photography I think the edge will go to the C8 SGT since it has an EQ mount.

mickqueensland (Mick) · #10 30-08-2009, 11:05 PM

Thanks Crusader,

just the type of answer I was looking for. I am thinking ease of setup and weight are going to be my main issues. I will probably no be doing photos, but will probably end up with a CCD cam for the laptop.

and again, congrats on the scope.
Cheers
Mick

Moon (James) · #11 30-08-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusader

Sorry, I meant "Why did you sell your 8SE?" Don't know why I type "who" - must have been a long day.

Ok that makes more sense

I'm doing more imaging these days and it wasn't getting much use. The funds will go to some imaging gear of some description. I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with my Mak-newt first...

Crusader · #12 31-08-2009, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon

Ok that makes more sense

Yup, quite weird asking strangers who they sold stuff to.