"David Jones" wrote in message
om...
Hey Folks...

First let me start that I'm a beginner... so go easy on me. I would
like to start into astronomy for the kids (well, and myself). I've
picked up a couple of magazines and have started to look at what is
out there.

I think I'm down to two options...

#1 ETX-70AT ~$200 USD (eBay or J&R)
http://www.meade.com/catalog/etx/etx70.html

#2 Orbitor OR9000 6" motorised refractor. ~$200 CDN (local discount
warehouse)
http://www.citiwellint.com/manuals/O...RevSep1603.pdf

Here are my goals and guidlines...

A/. Something easy to use. I want something easy to use, so I like
the idea of the ETX70, calibrate and then enter the "GOTO" number and
boom you are in business. That kind of ease really apeals to me. Now
I should mention that I do have a nice PalmOS based skymap program
called "Planetarium" that has a library of all sorts of objects and
there position... if you know the position of an object is it just a
simple matter of moving your scope to that position? or is there more
involved... I don't want to be wasting all my time trying to find
things.

B/. Power. I'm not so interested in planetary viewing... I like the
idea of being able to "deep sky" objects like nebulae, stars,
galaxies, etc... but that being said... I would occasionly look at
planets... the upcomming commets and satellites

C/. Flexibility. I would eventually like to get a "Scopetronix"
adaptor for my Sony CD400 Mavica camera... and try some photography.
Now the Sony will only allow for a 8 sec exposure maximum (at f2.1-f8)
so It may be fruitless... although I took some great exposure shots
of the North Lights last year after the big solar flares. My concern
is the weight of the camera and the motor on the scope. Is the ETX70
motor strong enough to move with a digital camera attached? The 6"
Newtonian I'm thinking about has all sorts of counter balances... but
I don't know how strong its motor is...

So what are your thoughts everyone? I've heard tell of "apperature
fever"... so am I better off with the Orbitor 6" Newtonian? or Will I
be spending all me time trying to find things, so am I better off with
an ETX70?
Realistically, neither scope meets your needs. The mount on the ETX70, is
_light_, and is not really capable of photography. You are right in your
suspicions about the strength of the ETX70 in this regard. Though a lot can
be seen with small scopes, 'aperture is king' with regards to what can be
seen, especially for 'deep sky' objects. The 6" will see a lot more. However
there is a second 'adage', that says 'better a small scope that is used,
than a larger one that stays indoors'. However neither scope is really that
large.
Consider some careful second hand searching instead at present.
Unfortunately at this price bracket, you will be fighting a war to find
something that is reasonably useable. Look at the telescope buyers FAQ,
which explains a lot of the problems that exist. The Newtonian, buys you a
lot more scope for your dollar. The motors on this don't have to really
provide much drive (provided the balances are correctly set), but most EQ
mounted scopes in this sort of price range, have tripods that are
inadequate, relatively poor optics, and barely adequate drives.

Best Wishes