EdgeHD 11 or C11

[icytailmark (Mark)]

what would be better for imaging EdgeHD 11 or C11?

[Moon (James)]

EdgeHD 11 would be better than a C11.
The new GSO 12" RC would be even better if you have a big enough mount.
James

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by icytailmark

what would be better for imaging EdgeHD 11 or C11?

I have both an EdgeHD 1400 and a C14. I see no reason why my observations with these would not also apply to the 11" versions.
The correcting optics in the rear of the baffle tube of the HD range certainly do give pretty good edge-to-edge flat fields. But from an imaging perspective this doesn't mean much unless you're a real hero and plan to image at the native ratio of these scopes - F11 or so. And that is serious voodoo - not be undertaken lightly. The problem simply is that Celestron have yet to release a reducer to suit the HD optics. Yes, there is a product by Optec Corp called the Lepus .63 reducer that is said to be suitable for HD optics. I have one but have yet to give it a tryout. There is a good reducer made by AstroPhysics at .67 but it is a bit of an unknown quantity with SCTs and even more so with HDs.
The C14/11 on the other hand suffers no such problem. There is a well established Celestron .63 reducer available at reasonable cost leaving you with the choice of focal ratios.
I am not sure about HypeStar compatibility with the C11 scopes though and would defer to anyone else who knows about that.
Peter

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by pmrid

I am not sure about HypeStar compatibility with the C11 scopes though and would defer to anyone else who knows about that.

Celestron made/make two versions of their scopes, one hyperstar compatible and the other not. All it is, is a difference in the secondary mirror/lens housing...one can be removed and the other is fixed. However, Starizona (the makers of the Hyperstar lens system) have a conversion kit for non compatible scopes that they will add to a newly purchased scope, but also give you the instructions for retrofitting to an older scope. Apparently it's not all that hard to retrofit. Great news is the retrofit to a C11 makes your scope a F1.8 scope, which means you'll be churning out images like cheese

Oh, and also....they've now made a hyperstar lens that's compatible with the EdgeHD optical system.

[icytailmark (Mark)]

getting the EdgeHD scope worth the extra $1000?

[renormalised (Carl)]

Look at it this way, by the time you've bought all the bits and pieces like the field corrector/reducer and such, for the C11, you've spent nearly the equivalent of the cost of the EdgeHD version. However, the C11 is a little more versatile with the ability to change the F ratios more readily (via the correctors etc).

[Brundah1 (David)]

Mark,

Pays to look carefully into all options/intended uses for the C11 / C11 Edge.

C11 Edge Hyperstar upgrade is USD50 more expensive although this OTA is already Hyperstar compatible.

I have a C11 on the way via Price USA and Highpoint Scientific which had the best price during a recent discount at USD 1690 (Now USD 1890).

C11 Hyperstar conversion USD 300.

The C11 Edge is currently USD 3400.

So purchase cost difference between C11 + HS conversion kit at USD 1990 and

purchase cost C11 Edge USD 3400 = USD 1410 extra.

Importing the Hyperstar kits seperately will also save a few more dollars.

BTW taking the Price USA insurance and one-off warranty insurance is excellent value and Carolina is always a STD phone call away!

I already have a G11, Celestron (Japan) f6.3 reducer, QHY8 and many other accessories; the choice was easy.

You may note I have a CPC8 which is excellent for visual work (very stable for for grandkids
too where a Feathertouch, TV EPs and Powermates give great views).

Form experience, weight difference, ease of setup will see the CPC8 get used many more times visually - than either a CPC11, or the C11/G11 combo. Also I doubt a C11 Edge will provide much visual benefit over a well collimated C11.

As Peter said the proven C11 with f10, f6.3 and f2 options is hard to beat for APSC astrophotography - provided you have good GEM accuracy. Peter also says swaping the Hyperstar in/out is a pain due touchy Hyperstar collimation.

Proven C11 Edge specific accessories may change the landscape just a bit.

Cheers,

David

[renormalised (Carl)]

The CPC800 is also hyperstar compatible....I've seen some amazing piccies done with one of these scopes and a hyperstar.