New telescope

[Colin_Fraser]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Interesting dilema, for someone willing to spend proper money for a good result.

Actually it was Helen, my wife that suggested we get one. She is also fascinated by the heavens, so I really must consider her needs first when purchasing.
In February 2008 she said "Why don't you buy a motorcycle". So not one to argue with the good wife I went to Melbourne 3 days later by train and rode my new Harley home.
At the moment it's just too difficult to decide.

[Colin_Fraser]

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Hi Colin,

I've sent you a PM

DT

Hello David,
I thought I replied to the message but I just checked my 'Sent Mail' box and its empty. Sorry.
I really appreciate the advice. I've narrowed it down to a Meade LX90-ACF 8" or Celestron CPC925 XLT.
Both seem pretty good and we will not be disappointed with either.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I did receive a reply Colin - you have to tick a box asking it to save your sent message.

All the best,

DT

[DavidTrap (David)]

Have sent you another PM in reply.

DT

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Colin_Fraser

I've narrowed it down to a Meade LX90-ACF 8" or Celestron CPC925 XLT.
Both seem pretty good and we will not be disappointed with either.

Colin, have you looked through either one yet?

The old saying, 'try before you buy' is worth keeping in mind

I would hate to spend a few grand and not be happy with the views/set-up/operation/ease of my gear.

[Colin_Fraser]

Hello Ken,
No I haven't.
Eric said he may bring an 8" SCT to the next meeting and hopefully I might get a chance to look at other scopes then.
We are going to Melbourne soon and hope to look at what Bintel have to offer.
Pointless looking through one but at least we can test the 'ease of use' factor.

[Crusader]

You could consider the Celestron 8SE as well. I have one and it works beautifully. It's light, easy to set up and align (no north pointing and levelling not critical). For visual it's a joy to use and if you go for photography you can easily move the OTA onto a quality EQ mount.

[Colin_Fraser]

Yes Crusader, I did have a look at those. Pretty good but I thought I would go a bit bigger.
I am torn between the CPC925 XLT and the not yet arrived Skywatcher 14" Flextube full goto Synscan Dobsonian.
I was told they would be available late August so I'll wait till then.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Colin_Fraser

Yes Crusader, I did have a look at those. Pretty good but I thought I would go a bit bigger.
I am torn between the CPC925 XLT and the not yet arrived Skywatcher 14" Flextube full goto Synscan Dobsonian.
I was told they would be available late August so I'll wait till then.

Sounds good Colin. 14" will suck in the Galaxies, especially out here in the dark and when you move to the north-east

[Colin_Fraser]

Looks like a long wait for the 14" Skywatcher. Now talk of Christmas. Grrr.
Could not hang on any longer so I bought a 10" Skywatcher solid tube dob to get me going until the new one arrives.
It's fantastic. Those clouds look so beautiful.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Colin_Fraser

Looks like a long wait for the 14" Skywatcher. Now talk of Christmas. Grrr.
Could not hang on any longer so I bought a 10" Skywatcher solid tube dob to get me going until the new one arrives.
It's fantastic. Those clouds look so beautiful.

I think Orion have a very nice 14 inch computerised collapsible DOB too.
and if so, I would rate Orion higher than SW anyway.

Worth a look

http://www.astro-optical.com.au/view...name&x=44&y=26

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks Allan, I'll check them out.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Colin_Fraser

Could not hang on any longer so I bought a 10" Skywatcher solid tube dob to get me going until the new one arrives.

Hope you are going to bring it out (after I patch up the flood-damaged entry road)

[Colin_Fraser]

You bet. Hopefully it will not be too far away.