Telescope comparison

Hi all,

I am trying to compare two telescopes, and your help would be much
appreciated. The scopes are the Meade LXD55-SC8 and the Celestron
C8S-GT. First, how do the OTA's compare, and then the mounts (and less
importantly, which is better for photography)? I have heard good and bad
about each mount and telescope, and it is a bit confusing. All the
reviews are making me think the quality depends on your luck. Can
someone please help me, thank you.

Sean

This is your lucky day! You had the good sense to ask this question on SAA
and for that you are rewarded with the truth...which will save you money and
much aggravation. The LXD55 is a very poorly designed and built mount and
buying one will almost assure you of problems. Of this I have first-hand
knowledge, as I've owned 3 of them under duress. I don't have first-hand
knowledge of the new Celestron GT mount but 2 people have already posted
about them here and both conclude that the mount is poor.

Al


"Sean" wrote in message
et...
Hi all,

I am trying to compare two telescopes, and your help would be much
appreciated. The scopes are the Meade LXD55-SC8 and the Celestron
C8S-GT. First, how do the OTA's compare, and then the mounts (and less
importantly, which is better for photography)? I have heard good and bad
about each mount and telescope, and it is a bit confusing. All the
reviews are making me think the quality depends on your luck. Can
someone please help me, thank you.

Sean

I would recommend you start with the mount, look for a Vixen GP or GP/DX
used on astromart. Both have great tracking and are reasonable in price.
You can start by putting an inexpensive refractor on it (Orion 120mm f8 for
a litle over $200), and you'll have a nice setup for visual and imaging. If
you want a reflector, you can pick up a used C8 or Intes 603 for around $500
to $700 and still have a very nice visual and/or imaging setup for
reasonable dollars ...

"Sean" wrote in message
et...
Hi all,

I am trying to compare two telescopes, and your help would be much
appreciated. The scopes are the Meade LXD55-SC8 and the Celestron
C8S-GT. First, how do the OTA's compare, and then the mounts (and less
importantly, which is better for photography)? I have heard good and bad
about each mount and telescope, and it is a bit confusing. All the
reviews are making me think the quality depends on your luck. Can
someone please help me, thank you.

Sean