Meade 12" SCT or Celestron 11" SCT OTA's

Striker (Tony) · #1 19-04-2005, 01:01 PM

Ok....I know responses will differ on opinion...

What I want is your recomendation for my permanant set up for my observatory.....

The OTA will be on a EQ6 mount with a Pier.

My sole use will be Astrophotgraphy.......both Planetry and DSO but within reason being in the middle of Brisbane's light poluted sky.....

All replies appreciated....

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 19-04-2005, 01:29 PM

How can you ask that question Tony......Meade of course, and that's my unbiased opinion

. Come up on a clear night and try out the Observatory's C11 again and compare with what you remember of your 10" Meade. Will the EQ6 be able to carry that with a guidescope and your collection of handgrenades.

Striker (Tony) · #3 19-04-2005, 02:58 PM

I should have also asked the question....do you think the Meade 10" is better value then the 12" OTA..is their that much of a difference.....could be spent on more valuable things.....just considering..

10" = $2100
12" = $3750

iceman (Mike) · #4 19-04-2005, 02:59 PM

You just sold the Meade 10" OTA!!

12" is significantly more resolving power, bigger is better!

Striker (Tony) · #5 19-04-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

12" is significantly more resolving power, bigger is better!

My wife said exactly the same thing.....hmmmmmmmm

rumples riot · #6 19-04-2005, 07:05 PM

Now the optics on the 11 are supposed to be very good but I would go for the extra inch. So my vote is for the Meade.

mick pinner · #7 19-04-2005, 07:37 PM

Having had the opportunity to view through both the 12" and 10" l would go for the 12 however the difference isn't that great, from people l have spoken to during my search for another scope seem to think the Celestron 11" is a better scope than the meade 12", personally l have never looked through a Celestron of any size, depending on finances l would go for the 14" Meade, according to the overseas forums l've read the optics on this scope are the best there is in that range, even better than the top of the range Meade 16". From Bintel as of last week $4850 l think, however the EQ6 might struggle, one solution creates another problem doesn't it.

trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson) · #8 19-04-2005, 07:43 PM

I really don't think there'd be much difference between the C11 and the Meade 12" in practice. However if I were buying the whole package and not just the OTA, I'd go the Meade. Simply because I prefer the Meade mount and Autostar II. Completely and utterly unbiased, of course!

I think it all comes down to price. What's the cost difference between the Meade 12 and C11?

Striker (Tony) · #9 19-04-2005, 08:23 PM

Cost difference between the meade 12" to the C11

Meade 12" $3750
C11 $3000

Dave47tuc (David) · #10 19-04-2005, 08:55 PM

I would go for a 14" ota.

If the EQ6 can handle it

If not go the 12"

Good luck.

h0ughy (David) · #11 19-04-2005, 10:01 PM

I have owned a celestron(8 and 4GT) and 4 meade's(etx 90,8, 10 and current 12). The more appature you get the more resolution. Get the biggest bang for bucks you can, you'll never regret it! Whether it is a meade or celestron it doesn't matter, the price does!

I myself would like to get rid of the LX one day to get a huge light bucket, say 18" or larger. But that is a dream for the day the kids have gone!

Robby · #12 20-04-2005, 07:04 AM

Celeston do seem to have a better reputation for optical quality when it comes to Astrophotography. At least that's what I've heard. I doubt the average Jow would notice the difference, but personally I'd go the C11.
Cheers

Striker (Tony) · #13 20-04-2005, 01:34 PM

I will be happy with either...I just think the Meade 12" plus guide scope and all other accessories will be a bit much for the EQ6 for Photography.

Meade 12" OTA = 18KG's
Celestron 11" OTA = I think around 14KG's
Celestron 11" Carbon Fibre OTA = 12.5KG's

ED80 Guide scope...not sure....maybe 5kg's

mick pinner · #14 20-04-2005, 01:50 PM

The rating on my EQ6 is 26 kg

Striker (Tony) · #15 20-04-2005, 02:38 PM

Mick....but what are you carrying on the EQ6.....

I think it will just stay under the 25kg rating...but how accurate is the weight rating.....it might be fine for Visual but how about astrophotgraphy.....

I am trying to find info about this ATM......all I have found is article's on EQ6's for 8,10,11" SCT's...maybe thats why....12" with accesories could be pushing the boundries...any info would be much appreciated.

Because I would love to put the Meade 12" on but only if it's practical.....

mick pinner · #16 20-04-2005, 04:00 PM

At the moment l've got a 10" skywatcher and my ed 80 hooked up, see 'send in a shot of your rig' l really can't comment on the photography side of it, l've only done some still short exposure moon stuff, as l've mentioned before l have an extra weight on my balance bar and to be honest l think it is a very stable set up when using the dual axis drive there is very very little backlash when driving has stopped, virtually none that l can see visually, given all this it is sitting on a very heavy rigid pier. One thing l will mention is that most of the periodic error is in the gear box so when you fit a go-to consider the astromeccanica set up which has the motors turned around and drives direct to the gears.
Hope it helps a little.

Striker (Tony) · #17 24-04-2005, 09:22 PM

OK.....I have decided whats going into my observatory and all has been ordered:....I'm going for the Celestron SCT C11" OTA with XLT coatings with the Orion 80ED guide scope on the EQ6 mount with the Astromeccanica upgrade....

Thanks for everyone's opinion....and I cant wait to get it all going after my observatory is built...

Concrete is getting laid this wednesday...I hope....weather pending.

I will keep you all posted with up to date pictures.

Thanks everyone.

mick pinner · #18 24-04-2005, 09:36 PM

Celestrons to the left of us, dobs to the right, look out fellow Meade owners we're becoming over-run, find a field and form a circle.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #19 24-04-2005, 09:52 PM

Let us know how the mount handles the weight Striker, I plan to do a similar setup for my observatory.

You going for the DA-1 or DA-2 option for the astromeccanica?

mch62 (Mark) · #20 25-04-2005, 07:43 AM

I think he is going with the DA-1 and relying on Auto guiding.

As far as the mount weight handling goes Sky watcher states 25kg but Orion quote 18kgs for the Atlas a re-badged EQ6.

You find that for visual the 25kgs is right but for CCd work you want to keep it under that with a reasonable margin.

When i temporarily had my 16Kg 12.5"
f6 Newtonian on the EQ6 the mount and motors handled the weight but the tube length was to much for the mount.

Not a problem with a SCT.

But in saying that his mount is going to be on a pier and have the stronger motors of the Astromeccanica kit fitted.

So he will have plenty in reserve .

You see to many commercial scopes with marginal mounts , done obviously for price.

The Meade 10"SN lxd55 & 75 and the Celestron11"SCT advance cg-5 mount plus others .

A quick search will find lots to be said about these mounts combos but mainly there fine for visual but aren't up to imaging or at least long exposure imaging.

I think Tony has done his home work and covered himself with plenty in reserve as far as mount handling capacity.

The EQ6 is not the best quality mount out there but a little work makes them pretty dam good .

Mark