Well I think it's about time to upgrade to a bigger telescope. I like my little ETX and will keep it because it is a good portable size but it is limited in its capabilities.
As for the new scope, I'm thinking of doing something like what Striker's done and get a Celestron 11" OTA and putting it on an EQ6 mount with Skyscan. This looks to be a very cost effective setup for astrophotography. I am also considering a Meade LX 200 10". Is there anything else I should consider?
Any suggestions, thoughts or comments are most welcome.
For sure, would make both a fantastic planetary and DSO astrophotography scope.
For serious AP, you might want a heavier mount.. but if striker has done his research and reckons it'll be ok (with the astromechaniccahalahjshal mods), then it may well be.
Tony's not the only person with this set up (11"EQ6)as I think West Sky has a similar set up but a different controller to Tony's Astromeccanica controller.
The EQ6 will handle the 12" SCT as standard but with the AM more powerful and accurate motor set up it will be just cruising with a C11 and the 80ED he has piggy backed.
For the price of the separate components it becomes a very cost effective powerful Astro Imaging platform with out a lot of hassles .
If your up to the challenge , a light weight short tube 10"F5-6 or12" F4.5-5 Newtonian would also be feasible and a little cheaper than the C11 OTA.
This would have to be custom made to keep weights down and over all lengths down as well.
Some thing to consider .
The pic is a 10"f6 on the EQ6 just to show you what can be done.
I think the EQ6 will be fine with the weight of a C11. If not, there are various upgrades out there that improve strength and accuracy that I could look at later on.
I don't think there will be any cheap SCT's as a result of the Synta and Celestron merger any time soon - Not worth hanging out for.
Mark - I'm not up for the challenge of building a custom Newt just yet. One day I'd like to build one though.
Ving - Thanks, but no thanks.
Thanks for the comments so far. I think the C11 & EQ6 are the go. I'm just waiting on some prices then I'll make my final decision and order.
Best price 11"OTA with XLT Coatings and accessories I could get in on this Earth was from Andrews for $3000...even cheaper then I you can get it from Overseas....I then got the EQ6 from Bintel....Price may have changed for the EQ6 now at Bintel...so just check.
I am on the same quest (but moving from an ETX90). To help make my selection I have tried to rank my selection criteria as follows:
1. Portability (as I do not have a dedicated observatory)
2. Mount Tracking Accuracy / Clearance for Canaon 20D
3. Cost
4. Appature >= 8" but accuracy before size.
For me the system must be easily moveable by a single person, this implies a compact SCT is best.
The most accurate tracking for the money seems to be a fork based set up with an ability to autoguide - the same precision in a GE mount costs more $$$ but I am open to suggestions.
Cost I want a setup approx $3000 total.
Options I am looking into are Meade LX90 and LXD75, Celstron C8 S-GT combined with a ToUCam and 80mm refractor for guiding. Any other suggestions out there?
Andrews has some excellent prices on C8's with GoTo. Just a thought.
Celestron Advanced Series Computerised Go-To Schmidt-Cassagrain Telescopes
Model Price $(AUD)
C8-SGT 8" (200mm x 2000mm) Go-To Schmidt-Cassegrain with Starbright XLT UHT coatings $2999.00
C9.25-SGT 9.25" (235mm x 2350mm) Go-To Schmidt-Cassegrain with Starbright XLT UHT coatings $3999.00
C11-SGT 11" (279mm x 2790mm) Go-To Schmidt-Cassegrain with Starbright XLT UHT coatings $4799.00
John H, I just went back into Andrews site and found these too!
Celestron Advanced Series Computerised Go-To Reflecting Telescopes
Model Price $(AUD)
C8-NGT 8" (200mm x 1000mm) Newtonian Go-To Reflector $1999.00
C10-NGT 10" (250mm x 1250mm) Newtonian Go-To Reflector $2499.00
Last edited by ballaratdragons; 05-05-2005 at 02:39 PM.
There's a few LX 90 owners here that will be able to help you out with info about them. I haven't heard much about the LXD 75 or the Celestron GE mounts.
Definatly use Andrews for the OTA and between Andrews and Bintel for the EQ6 .
Don't look at the official Celestron importer and dealers for prices or you might croak Sorry had throw that one in.
The Cg-5 mount appears to be better stability wise to the LXD75 mounts from reports but both are smaller than an EQ6 .
There about a EQ5 size.
Celestron put the C11 on the CG-5 mount but advise they have limited imaging capability and user reports confirm this as being great for web cam but not for long exposure ccd.
The 9.25"on the CG-5 mount would be the sweet spot for this mount scope combo.
For the C11 no smaller than a HEQ5 or EQ6 mount would be advisable.
Sorry had throw that one in.
