I Don't Know What To Buy

[KISSMAD (Bruce)]

I know nothing about telescopes. I have a Tasco 6T telescope that I was giving to me for Xmas back in the seventies. I use it a couple of times a year at the most.

I have no idea what sort of telescope I should buy. I would like to view the planets and deep space. I may want to do some astrophotography later down the track.

As a starting point, I've been looking at these two telescopes. I'm not sure if I want to spend that much but I have to starting looking somewhere. I guess this is the reason for the post. To see how they compare to other models.
Celestron CPC 800 Telescope With GPS
Celestron 8SE NexStar Telescope

I'm not planning on buying another telescope after this purchase so I'm willing to spend a little more than I normally would spend on something.

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

I'm not planning on buying another telescope after this purchase

Famous last words!

There's a lot to consider Bruce, but for an allrounder that does everything well (planetary, deep space, astrophotography) and nothing best, an 8" SCT like the 8SE is a pretty darned good choice. After being 'telescopeless' for about a decade, it was my first re-entry point, and if I'd been restricted to only one scope, it would have done just fine.

Others will recommend Dobsonians (great for DSOs, cheap), triplet refractors (great for planets if a long focal length, or for wide-field or rich-field if you get a fast 'frac), so it comes down to what you most want to view, and what your personal bent is (there is no ONE answer). But as I said, the 8SE is a very good 'jack of all trades, master of none'.

[KISSMAD (Bruce)]

Thanks for the reply Barry

I've looked at Dobsonians but they don't look like they are easy to move around. I should of pointed out in my original post that I need it to be portable.

What sort of lenses would I need for the 8SE? A moon and sun filter is a must, that's all I know!

[raymo]

Barry has covered pretty much everything, but I would like to add that if you decide later to get into imaging, the 8SE would suffer from field
rotation, which would limit your exposure times. An 8" SCT either
equatorially mounted, or fork mounted with a wedge would be an ideal
all round scope.
raymo
P.S. whatever you buy will come with 2 or 3 eyepieces. I suggest that you use them for a while, and decide
on other eyepieces when you have some viewing time under your belt.

[KISSMAD (Bruce)]

Thanks Raymo

So the Celestron CPC 800 Telescope With GPS is the better choice. I wasn't sure if the telescope come with lenses or not.

Whats the best way to supply power to the telescope? Do they work without power?

[raymo]

The CPC would be the way to go, but before doing any longer exposure
imaging you would have to buy the optional wedge.
Computerised scopes have inbuilt power sources, but almost nobody
uses them because they run down pretty quickly. I have been using
car batteries for the last 40years, but some people use purpose built
Celestron power tanks. If viewing at home, you can plug into the mains
and step down to 12volts.
raymo

[astro_nutt]

Hi Bruce.
Alternatively, you could visit a star party and have a good look at what's on offer. Or, search for owner reports for both the scopes you mention. I hope this helps.
Cheers1