Dear All,

I've just picked up a 2nd hand Nexstar 8i and want to compare the
optics/image quality with that of my ETX90 as quick as possible. With the
cloudy weather I've resorted to terrestrial viewing but immediately noticed
that the ETX90 produced a sharper picture. I'm not sure I approached the
test correctly however as both scopes where indoors and both used a 26mm
Plossel and as such perhaps I had unfairly hampered the larger Nexstar?
Although the Nexstar 8i was obviously producing a higher magnified image I
had expected it to be able to produce one just as sharp image? With the
object not being more that 150+ metres perhaps it was simply too close? In
short, yes it appeared clear but not razour sharp? Is this due to the
additional magnification x78 comapred with x48? Perhaps the larger scope
doesn't work well indoors compared to the littel ETX? Can any one explain to
me a simple method of testing the optics? I have a limited amount of time to
confirm I'm happy with the scope and will need to test ASAP probably as
noted under terrestrial conditions due to the weather.

Many thanks,

Mike