Celestron vs. Meade

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

"Pippen" wrote in message
...
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.



screw off with this. You're never going to get a definitive answer.

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.



Hi:

Frankly, these are two very similar scopes. I've consistently bought
Celestron and been very pleased with their products, but I _also_
purchased 8 Meade SCTs for use with my university astronomy students 8
years ago and have just been very happy with them. Oh, and I regularly
use a 14-inch LX200GPS.

One thing? After all these years, I am pretty much _over_ fork mounts.
But that is just me.

If you'd like to discuss this in detail, feel free to email me at
,
but, again, these are two very similar beasts.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland

Thomas Mickleman wrote:

screw off with this. You're never going to get a definitive answer.

Ah...the joys of s.a.a. in the 21st century.

Refresh my mind, guys. Has it _always_ been like this?

;-)

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland

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

1st off, re you set on a fork mounted scope? If you are, then you are
looking at pretty much a wash. IMO the Meade has a slight advantage on
the hand controller side over the Celestron version, and if you are
familiar with the autostar (as it appears from your EXT exp.) then the
LX-200r is pretty much the same usability with a few extras thrown in.

But this is offset by the slight advantage the C 9.25 has optically.
Many consider it the finest SCT available. I do know those I've looked
through have been superb.

I've owned a Meade LX200 10". I took the scope off the forks and mounted
them on a Losmandy G-11.

If you are looking for a GEM system (has some advantages an some
disadvantages) then I'd get a C9.25 with Starbright XLT coatings and put
it on a Losmandy G-11.

Before you say nything about the weight not being an issue, go to your
local telescope store and set one up. Now imagine doing that everytime
you want to observe. The 10" LX200 is approx 65lbs.

If you do go fork mount and decide to get into imaging then you would
have to buy a wedge.

In article ,
says...
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

The OTAs are very similar. Any of the 3 shouldn't be a big problem to haul
around for a fit, 30-something male. The Meade 10" will be the heaviest of
the 3. I think you'd probably be quite happy with any of them.

With that in mind it comes down to price and ease of use. I've never used
the Celestron GOTO controller but I've used a Meade Autostar for years
(LX90). Since you're already familiar with the Autostar from your ETX, I
would give a slight edge to the Meade models. If you are going with the
Meade and the extra weight and expense isn't a big issue, get the 10" model.
More aperture is almost always best until you reach the point where the
scope is too much trouble to use.

Clear skies,
Ray Porter

"Pippen" wrote in message
...
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

Vis-a-vis the Celestron HC versus the Meade.

The Celestron is more user friendly, while the Meade tends to have more
features (Celestron is narrowing the gap here with the new
programmable HCs included with current scopes...which, among other
things, include sync (and unsync), much requested features).

One thing I prefer about the Autostar and Autostar II? The red on black
display. It's much easier for my uhhh..."middle aged" eyes to read than
Celestron black on red.

SkyAlign, the new Celestron alignment mode is amazing. Point the scope
at any three bright objects (even the Moon or a planet) in the sky,
push a button, and you are aligned. I've tested this on my Nexstar 11
and it works...amazingly well.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland


Ray Porter wrote:
The OTAs are very similar. Any of the 3 shouldn't be a big problem to haul
around for a fit, 30-something male. The Meade 10" will be the heaviest of
the 3. I think you'd probably be quite happy with any of them.

With that in mind it comes down to price and ease of use. I've never used
the Celestron GOTO controller but I've used a Meade Autostar for years
(LX90). Since you're already familiar with the Autostar from your ETX, I
would give a slight edge to the Meade models. If you are going with the
Meade and the extra weight and expense isn't a big issue, get the 10" model.
More aperture is almost always best until you reach the point where the
scope is too much trouble to use.

Clear skies,
Ray Porter

"Pippen" wrote in message
...
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

"RMOLLISE" wrote:


Thomas Mickleman wrote:

screw off with this. You're never going to get a definitive answer.

Ah...the joys of s.a.a. in the 21st century.

Refresh my mind, guys. Has it _always_ been like this?

;-)

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland

Actually, it has, Rod. Usenet has been a cesspit for years.

You going to the Peachstate this year? I have the application sitting
in front of me and still kicking the idea around.

Eric

Hi Eric:

I was thinking about it, but the way the schedule looks...I dunno. Wish
they'd stayed in Jackon. I will make it up there again one of these
years...but it looks like this time it's DSRSG (Louisiana) and
Chiefland (FL). I'll be coming off a destroyer sea trial, so it looks
like just a few days at Chiefland (Friday - Sunday, maybe).

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland


Eric Greene wrote:


Actually, it has, Rod. Usenet has been a cesspit for years.

You going to the Peachstate this year? I have the application sitting
in front of me and still kicking the idea around.

Eric