New Telescope, budget 2000 euros. some advice please.

Im looking to buy a larger scope.

My Nexstar 4, is great for travelling about and fits nicely into the boot of the car. But I have the chance to buy a new one that will not come around again any time soon.

As with everything Im looking to get the most bang for my buck. And I have seen a few options on line and read as much as I can get my hands on.

It will be the scope I use the most and will live in shed in my garden ( Man Lab ! )

As I said I have approx 2000 euros to play around with.

Id be grateful for any help and advice on this and tanks to everyone at cosmos who I spoke to, Im terrible with names apologies.

Below are the scopes I have been looking at with what I see as the Pros and Cons. I anyone would like to add or subtract from what I have please feel free.


C9.25-S GT (XLT)

astronomy.ie/nexstar.html

Looks like a great scope 9.25’

Pros,

Computerised Go To
Celestron, so Im used to its software
Nice size for the shed.

Cons,

Top end of price range, would need a tank with it.
If I buy from the UK
www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/celestron-a...-free-dvd_d3705.html
could save a few quid.


CPC 800 GPS (XLT)
www.astronomy.ie/CPCrange.html

Smaller @ 8’’

Pros,

GPS
More stable for Astro Photography

Cons,

1.25’ smaller than the c9.25
Top end price range again. But from the uk
www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/celestron-c...telescope_d4672.html



Meade LX90 ACF 8inch

Seems very similar to the CPC 800.?? Anyone know the difference apart from the price


I then went a little left field for me and look at a Dob, after seeing that 20’’ @ Cosmos

Skyliner 300P Flex Tube SynScan GOTO Dobsonian
www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skyliner-30...dobsonian_d5139.html

Pros,

Well inside Budget
Has Go To function
12’ aperture

Cons,

Would I be able to get the most out of it.
Would I need to buy a whole lot of extras to use it, shields ect?


I suppose the real thing Im after is detail, I want to see Galaxies and deep space objects in better detail. I also like to be able to get some better views of the planets and Moon. Id like to do some astrophotography.

Hi there

Here's my tuppence worth.

If you have any notions about photography, well that's the dob out, unless you splash out some more money for a dob tracking mount. However, if you plan to remain as a visual observer the dob is a great choice, it will show so much details and so many objects, the goto option is great. The money you save can go towards some new eyepieces.

The difference between the other two scopes, apart from their size, if their mounts, one is a CG-5 and the other a fork mount, personally speaking I would opt for the fork mount, easier to set up and more stable.

I know nothing about astrophotography, so I'm sure some of the other guys can give you a better idea of which mount would be better.

One other thing of note is the size of the scopes, sometimes it's better to have a smaller scope, easier to transport, I had a solid tube 12" in the past and it was extremely heavy.

No matter what you choose I'm sure you'll get great enjoyment out of it.

Paul

Hey,
I wouldnt rule out the Dob.It has GOTO and it has tracking...how good it is?Honestly i have no idea but for short exposures it should do the trick.And when you buy a dob you will always get best bang for your buck regarding aperture.
Now for proper astofotography i will quote one of the members here :
"How to make a small fortune?Start with a big one and get into astophotography"
The closest would be Celestron C9.25 as like Paul mentioned it has an equatorial mount pritty much essential for astrophotography.
And there is one for sale here with EQ6 mount which is much superior than CGE 5.I actually own one and more than happy with it.The only draw back is that it weights a ton...
www.irishastronomy.org/index.php?option=...7&id=91686&Itemid=40
BUT for longer exposures you would need guide scope,guide rings etc. etc. The list is long....
in fairnes they all good scopes and which ever you buy you will not regret.

go to telescope service they will give up a good deal they will take 200 off the price.

I'm sure the Meades can be had here.

Incidentally, what's TS delivery cost on a big scope like that.

If it was my few bob I would go with the C9.25-S GT (XLT),

' www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_inf...-GoTo-Telescope.html '

If you hadn't of said that you would be living out of your shed I would have suggested going smaller (Lighter) to an 8inch so you can transport it to a dark site.

Personally I wouldn't go with a CPC because if you wanted to try a refractor or simply pop a camera on the mount you would have to get another mount but with the other one you could simply use the same mount.

as far as I know an equatorial mount is better for astrophotography because once you are aligned only one motor is working to track your object, with the CPC 2 motors would have to keep you on target which would increase vibration (I think..).

Graham