Seeking advice for 8" visual OTA. GSO RC or SCT?

[Astro_Bot]

I'm very happy with a 10" SCT as my single telescope. I've read the theory and I've looked through many mass-produced scopes, including refractors, Newtonians (whether Dob or EQ mounted), MCTs and SCTs. On the night, I've never been disappointed with the view through an SCT whereas I have been disappointed with the view through Newtonians and refractors (e.g. diffraction spikes on Jupiter? Yuk! And where was this alleged better Newt contrast? I've never once seen less detail in my SCT compared to a Newtonian, though I have seen more planetary detail in a refractor ... but then they suffer from insufficient light grasp for DSOs in a maneagable size/cost).

I'm sure there's a perfect telescope out there somewhere, and it may even be a Newtonian, or a refractor, but out of the mass-produced telescopes made that I can actually afford, transport, carry and setup, I'd choose an SCT.

Originally Posted by The Original Question

I'm interested in only visual (for now) viewing to set up in the back yard. I want an easy and quick setup that can plonk onto a permanent mounting post.

[Capricorn1(Tom)]

John I have previously viewed through a 200mm Newt, need to be a acrobat, as the tube orientation can put the eyepiece in uncomfortable viewing position (same with my Mak-Newt). Having said that my assessment is made on a range of scopes I have owned and viewed through.
Like I said if I was to have one scope it would be a SCT, end of story.

Cheers Tom

[Wavytone]

If you are after a superlative 8" scope for visual use, far better than an SCT or RC, there is this beauty http://www.astromart.com/classifieds...fied_id=810567

It will be snapped up quickly. If I had the spare cash I'd make an offer and replace my two 7" ones, but not at the moment.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

If you are after a superlative 8" scope for visual use, far better than an SCT or RC, there is this beauty http://www.astromart.com/classifieds...fied_id=810567

Mark,

As Nick mentioned if you are looking for a high quality compact scope for visual astronomy it doesn't get much better than this, in 8" aperture. These are a premium end scope and a quantum leap above any mass produced SCT or RC, as a visual instrument. This scope is possibly about 8 or 10 years old at a guess, as TEC haven't made these Maks in a while. It will sell very quickly as they are rare and highly sought after. The advertisement indicates it has never been used.

Because of the long focal length they are more ideally suited to high power work, as opposed to low power wide field views. Optically it doesn't get much better than these for lunar/planetary/double star viewing.

Cheers,
John B

[zathras (Mark)]

Thanks everyone.
Lots to think about and as usual with so many polarized views on scopes I'm slightly unsure which to choose!

I will have to do something with that 12" Newt. I was planning on converting to compact dob style but maybe I should just sell it.
An 8" or 10" should be about right and now I have to think about possibly giving imaging a go.
It's all about what I am willing to trade off.
Can live with some (fixable) diffraction spikes but Coma really annoys me for some Psychological reason. The Newts will need rotating rings for a GEM and mirror flop is another one I'm not sure I would like but then again....etc.. etc.
I have the feeling I will own multiple scopes in the near future.

Anyway, I'll keep an eye out for some nice bargains.
Thanks Wavytone and JohnB