I have a Meade 10 inch LX200 GPS (sort of) and I am able to just make
it up the stairs with it.

I am certain that in another ten years I will have to go down to 8
inches.

I am totally satisfied with the telescope.

As for Celestron, I cannot give an opinion as I have never owned or
operated a NextStar.


Matthew Ota


Pippen wrote:
First off this is not an attempt to start a flame war... I'm looking at the
Celestron 9.25 CPC and also the Meade LX200R 8 or 10 inch. All would include
optical coating upgrade.

I live in an area where viewing is not that great so I will be transporting
the scope maybe 25 - 50 percent of the time.

Not currently doing astrophotography but would not want my choice now to
hinder the ability later... this would include motors, gears and optics etc.

Durability, I want this scope to last possibly a lifetime...

As far a weight of the scope, not too concerned about that I'm healthy 30
something male who works out on a regular basis. I would want to be able to
assemble by myself (sometimes that is not a function of weight). Is the
LX200R manageable for one person?

Software for each scope, pro's and con's...

Ease of use, I like goto functionality of my ETX and would expect something
better on the next scope.

Please include any other options that you think my fit my situation. I'm
pretty certain I want to go with an SCM or a close variant. I currently have
a ETX - 125 (Mak) that I'm very happy with.

Thanks in advance for your input.

-p