Just wondering

Interesting links there Jeyjey, thanks. It seems the 8" weighs in at under 6Kg............and is only a couple hundred euro more then a 6"SCT. The stand is also for next to nothing and i hear they are very good stands. Very sturdy. So by going down this path...i could have a 8" + Portamount stand for about €1500

Does indeed sound like a better deal.

p.s.~~~is the reason the 8" is so light is cuz there is no glass at the front?

Wouldnt having no glass leed to fogging and dew?

Paul --

Most of the weight difference is the lack of full-aperture glass in the front (there is a separate element in front of the corrector, but it's of course much smaller).

Actually, the lack of a full-aperture corrector reduces the chances of dewing. What causes dewing is that the correcor radiates heat to the sky; since it gets nothing back from the sky it drops a few degrees below ambient, which if the dew point is high enough will cause condensation. The primary mirror is deeper in the tube and receives radiated heat back from the tube walls. This usually keeps it much closer to ambient.

-- Jeff.

Actually, the lack of a full-aperture corrector reduces the chances of dewing. What causes dewing is that the correcor radiates heat to the sky; since it gets nothing back from the sky it drops a few degrees below ambient, which if the dew point is high enough will cause condensation. The primary mirror is deeper in the tube and receives radiated heat back from the tube walls. This usually keeps it much closer to ambient.

Thanks Jeff. I was reading pretty much the same thing after i posted.

I think this could be the one for me.....mainly because of the weight (not to mention a whole 2" extra). Even with a mount the whole setup is less then the weight of what i have now. Two completely different observing experiences also. So that will be nice.

Better start saving.

Thanks for all you help guys.

Nice looking scope there paul.....

It's the weight of it that sold it for me. I was checking out other 8" scopes and they can weight upto 60lbs (mount included). This one with a mount will be somewhere closer to 20lbs.

Shur im shure theres no diff in a heavy 8" or a light in an observing terms looks the part do very nice