Stu,



I own a LX90 8" with UHTC coatings. All of what has already been said is
correct. You have asked the right questions but some of the answers are
unique to your circumstances i.e. How portable are they! The LX90 is easy
for an able bodied adult to lift and carry over short distances. Remember
though when transporting it, you may also require some form of padding or
box to store the scope. I have had a metal case made to carry mine although
this adds weight it also doubles as a seat whilst waiting for my exposures
(requires cushion or you get a numb bum!!)it is well worth the weight for
the protection of your investment.



How portable are they would they go in my car? Yes the scope would go
in the boot, I lay my tripod in a bag across the back seat. It's the extras
you have to think about (unless they all go in your box) i.e. camera,
eyepieces, diagonal, hand box, cables, laptop, power packs, focal reducer,
counter balance kit and wedge if required.



It all depends how much you want to do with the scope, if you just want
to set up for a quick visual session then this is quick easy and doesn't
require much kit to carry, and if you have difficulty getting time out then
it is a bonus to have an easy to set up scope with the go to working to
allow maximum viewing in the smallest time. In this case the LX 90 is a
tough scope to beat.



If you want to get in to photography the LX90 in alt az mode is very
good with a web camera for planets and moon shots. You can connect your 300d
at prime focus but even with the 6.3 focal reducer you would be limited to
around 30 second images. This is not a problem if you stack a number of
these although again you need software (some is free). There have been some
very good images taken the LX90 as short exposures. Take a look on the yahoo
lx90 user group (Good helpful bunch on there).



If you want to do longer exposures you will have to buy a good wedge
,again more money and space along with counter balance kit.



If you want to do piggyback with small lens then you can get some
good results again by stacking the pictures.



Re is it worth the extra for the 10" that is something that you will
have to judge for yourself by looking through a 8 and 10" SCT and decide,
perhaps local club or star party or if near Derbyshire drop me a line.



All in all Stu I hope that this has not put you off but make sure
it's what you want before you buy it!!



If you want to take wide field shots with little time setting up or
weight what about a second hand GPDX with sky sensor and a 80mm ed or
similar mounted on the top.(scour the astro adds for a good mount) the above
should cost less than the LX90 and will be more portable.



My imaging set up that is almost ready to go is a GPDX with canon 20D
intending to mount the LX90 optics on this with a TMB 80 at the side. I sue
a Mintron camera for the auto guiding with guidedog software running on the
lap top. This is a lot of kit to move around and it can get frustrating once
set up and the clouds roll in!!!!



Hope this helps,



Paul