8" SCT or 6" SCT and 80mm ED ???

[DJ N]

Hi all,

I think I am at the point where I have the mount sorted. Now for the OTA……..

Up to now I have been pretty sure an 8 inch SCT is what I want, but I had a thought. Instead of one scope, what about two? What if for visual use a 6 inch SCT (eg Celestron 6XLT) and for dabbling in photography the Skywatcher Pro Series 80mm.

Any thoughts ??? I realise the light gathering advantage of 8 inch over the 6 inch is 183%, and the difference in weight is quite minimal, only 1.2kg (when comparing C6 to C8). But, then again, the 6 inch would be a bit more compact, then again not sure how it would perform on DSO’s.

So many choices!

Cheers,

Daniel

[ving (David)]

well yeah, more compact... but then one could argue that a 90mm mak would be even more compact. you are sacrificing power tho.

bigger is better. if you dont have room or $$$ for a 8" THEN get something smaller

[Dennis]

I personally would go for the greater light grasp of the 8" SCT and save my pennies for the purchase an 80mm refractor later.

If you did purchase the 6", and you got really keen on DSO's, then you would be upgrading to an 8" or bigger before you know it. Also, it might be wise to master all the characteristics of a single ‘scope and it’s interaction with your mount, tracking, etc so you can get the best out of it. Having 2 ‘scopes may find you flitting between the 2, and perhaps never quite mastering each one individually?

If you already have e.g. a DSLR with a 200mm lens, then piggybacking it on the 8" would be a great introduction to astrophotography.

Cheers

Dennis

[g__day (Matthew)]

I'd ponder someone sell a 8" SCT PTA for under a grand in the buy and sell pages, and a 80mm scope for around $450 would be a killer combination...

[sheeny (Al)]

I agree... go the 8".

Al.

[matt]

Yep. An 8" will give you more of a shot at those DSOs (visually) than the 6.

And when you consider there's hardly any diff in tube size/weight... it's a reasonably easy choice

Dennis is right about conquering the one scope before adding another to your set-up.

I've had a 9.25 for 12 months and am only now considering the possibility of joining it with a refractor

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

There is an 8"SCT for sale in the buy and sell forum for $650 which may be a good purchase.

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

There is an 8"SCT for sale in the buy and sell forum for $650 which may be a good purchase.

i was considering that ota to replace my 8" f6 newt... except i dont think he'd swap and i dont have any money left

[matt]

There's no harm in putting the offer to him, Ving.

The worst you could get is a "no thanks".

See if there's anything else you could throw in to sweeten the deal.

Who knows?

[ving (David)]

what you mean like something he doesnt have, like a finder

no, i am getting a heq5 in about a month so i cant afford to spend anything at all.

[matt]

Hope you enjoy the new mount

[ving (David)]

will do. replied to his advert anyhow... he is pretty close to where i live