goto 8 inch telescope options

aussiepeter (Peter) · #1 24-09-2015, 07:43 PM

G'day folks

I've been thinking of picking up a telescope, key requirements are 8 inch, portable (compact) and has goto functionality. Don't care about photography. I've mostly looked at the Celestron 8SE which seems pretty ideal, but I'm not really sure what other options exist in other manufacturers (if any). Seems like they no longer make the Meade LT8SC which from what I've read is the equivalent model. Am I missing something, or are Celestron and Meade the main players that fit what I am looking for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, I know Celestrons are massively overpriced in Australia, I would most likely buy one from the US when I'm over there later this year...

Thanks
Peter

raymo · #2 24-09-2015, 09:37 PM

You are a lucky man; As you have no interest in astrophotography,
The Skywatcher 8" Go To collapsible Dob would suit you down to the
ground; easily transportable set up ready to go, easily storeable set up
ready to go, around half the price of an 8SE, leaving you some money for
decent eyepieces. In the final analysis it depends upon what type of
objects interest you most. The 8SEs greater focal length is good for
planets and smaller galaxies etc, whereas the Dob allows larger objects
such as many nebulae to fit into the field of view.
raymo

BeanerSA (Paul) · #3 24-09-2015, 10:27 PM

Meade make an 8" in each of their series. LS, LX90, LX200.
Celestron make a stack of 8" appliances, some come with their own Alt/Az mounts, like the CPC, and CPC HD models. Then there are a few OTA's that you would need to pick a mount for, but if you have no interest in AP, then makes the mount a little cheaper.
And as previously suggested, there are a few makers of 8" dobs. If you go to the states, they have a couple of models we don't get here.

8"? The world is your oyster!

aussiepeter (Peter) · #4 25-09-2015, 10:00 AM

Thanks guys for that feedback. Hadn't picked up on the Skywatcher option. From what I can dig out via google, the Celestron will pack a fair bit smaller (mostly because of the mount) and lighter, but the Skywatcher has some advantages in that the view will be slightly better, wider field of view and I could go bigger mirror for not a lot more $$. Plus from what I could find the SynScan on them works really well too.

I guess it somewhat seems to come down to portability as I'd like to drag it outback on my trips. I guess one could pull the mount apart to make it smaller, not sure if it is built to be able to pulled apart and put back together.

In the US the two are a fairly similar price.

Really appreciate the feedback!

Thanks
Peter

BeanerSA (Paul) · #5 25-09-2015, 10:48 AM

No 8" is going to pack well. If you are going to dark sky sites, you could get away with something a lot smaller. Have you considered a small 4" Mak?

raymo · #6 25-09-2015, 11:03 AM

The Skywatcher 8" collapsible dob will sit in the back of a hatchback
ready to lift out and start viewing. Alternatively, the tube will lay along the back seat secured by the seat belt.
raymo

aussiepeter (Peter) · #7 25-09-2015, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I agree that any 8 is going to take up a bit of space, but the dob mount is pretty bulky. Price in Australia is pretty reasonable though relative to USA.

I grew up with a 4 inch scope and an older fellow round the back street had an 8 inch that I used to look through a bit, the difference is pretty big. A four inch is massively more portable though.

Thanks for the extra feedback.

Cheers
Peter