Long term durability/longevity?

Then get the 10" dob. That way you'll have DSCs, simplicity and aperture
on your side .... I have an N11 and love it, but those 14.5" Starmasters
are whispering to me ...

"GoldfishPanda" wrote in message
...
I was thinking of getting a Nexstar 8i soon, because I want an 8 inch
scope
with some sort of GOTO (I don't want to argue the merits of GOTO vs star
hopping). But, I started to think - A computerized telescope like that
probably won't last 10-15 years or more.

I have a StarMax 127mm on an EQ3 mount. That scope, barring me dropping
it,
should be around 15-20 years or more (easy). It is something I can use to
show my kids things that are in the sky, and I can have it when I am an
old
man. I don't see having one of these computerized scope for that long. I
read so many problems to begin with that some people have, and they are at
least in warranty.

I originally wanted an 8 inch Orion Dob with the PushTo. Then, up until 5
minutes ago, I had decided to sell my StarMax 127, and use some extra
money
I have, and get a Nexstar 8i (or something comperable, like a Meade). But
now, I am wondering about the longevity of such a purchase.

I think maybe I will get that Orion dob with the new PushTo. There are no
motors to break, and the DSC should work well over time. Theoritically,
the
hand controller could fail, but I think that chance is much smaller than
some of the more computerized scopes. And, 10 years from now, if the
handheld controller broke and I couldn't get another, at least I would
have
a working scope still.

Thoughts? Opinions? Ideas?

I can get one of those computerized ones when I retire maybe

I'm worried about trying to move the 10 inch, though

It is certainly a bit more a handful than the 8 inch but I think for someone of
average size and strength it should be relatively easy. If in doubt, find a
way to get a first hand look at one and then decide.

Regarding your original question. My personally guess is that in 20 years,
most of these GOTO scope will be obsolete, the optics will still be good but
the electronics and mechanical components will probably be worn out and parts
will not be available.

I think the high end stuff like the AP, Mountain Instruments will probably
still be supported because they will not have changed quite so much in 20
years.

jon

(Jon Isaacs) wrote in message ...
I'm worried about trying to move the 10 inch, though

It is certainly a bit more a handful than the 8 inch but I think for someone of
average size and strength it should be relatively easy. If in doubt, find a
way to get a first hand look at one and then decide.

They're really not that heavy. One could always separate the OTA from the
base and carry/transport each separately. I have to lug a 10" a fair distance
and finally hit upon the idea of using a golf cart (for the OTA) in case I
should sneeze, stumble, or get hit by a golf ball; see URL:

http://www.thadlabs.com/ASTRO/Projec...TA_on_cart.jpg

That 10" OTA only weighs 30 pounds and it's 48" (or so) long.

Regarding your original question. My personally guess is that in 20 years,
most of these GOTO scope will be obsolete, the optics will still be good but
the electronics and mechanical components will probably be worn out and parts
will not be available.

I think the high end stuff like the AP, Mountain Instruments will probably
still be supported because they will not have changed quite so much in 20
years.

I wonder. I foresee adaptive optics becoming more affordable for the amateur
over time, and even optical interferometry [over the next 20 years] which will
require new/different mounts and inter-communication interfaces/protocols.

20 years is a l-o-n-g time. Look what's appeared on the scene since 1983 and
consider the rapid changes in computer technology over a lesser interval, and
it's difficult to speculate what will be available in 2023 for the amateur.

They're really not that heavy. One could always separate the OTA from the
base and carry/transport each separately. I have to lug a 10" a fair
distance and finally hit upon the idea of using a golf cart (for the OTA) in
case I
should sneeze, stumble,

It really depends on who you are and what you have to do, for some a 10 inch
Scope is a chore, whether it is the 35lb OTA of a DOB or the Forks and OTA of a
LX-200.

20 years is a l-o-n-g time. Look what's appeared on the scene since 1983 and
consider the rapid changes in computer technology over a lesser interval, and
it's difficult to speculate what will be available in 2023 for the amateur.



A great deal has happened but the reality is that a top notch scope in 1983
with a solid well made mount and great optics is still a great scope today.

I think there is going be a lot happening in the field but a good scope on a
good mount will still the most important thing.

jon

A great deal has happened but the reality is that a top notch scope in
1983
with a solid well made mount and great optics is still a great scope
today.


Well, I had looked at the Celestron 8i. That has a strange mount - 1/2 of a
fork. If the mount breaks, you are pretty much stuck. You can't do anything
with it, and the scope itself is made to only be attached on 1 side....

GoldfishPanda wrote:
A great deal has happened but the reality is that a top notch scope in

1983

with a solid well made mount and great optics is still a great scope

today.


Well, I had looked at the Celestron 8i. That has a strange mount - 1/2 of a
fork. If the mount breaks, you are pretty much stuck. You can't do anything
with it, and the scope itself is made to only be attached on 1 side....



My C5+ has a half-fork mount and it works great. But I would recommend
a NextStar 8 GPS over the 8i (though substantially more pricy).

Phil

Phil