Another newbie question,....

Hi,

I've been looking around for an entry level telescope and after
reading the messages here, have moved away from the Mead models but
was wondering about the Celestron Nexstar series. I am considering the
80GT model with the go to functionality, (don't laugh, I said I was a
newbie!), is there any consensus , pro or con, regarding this brand
and/or model and additionally is there any way of buying a better
telescope with the possibility of adding on some sort of "go to"
feature?

I am also considering the Orion XT6 and/or 8 but I am also unsure if I
would have to upgrade to the XT8 strictly because of the amount of
light pollution in my area, central NJ, or can I get away with the XT6
and still be able to pick up
some of the fainter objects, such as Jupiter's moons?

I understand that given the purchase of better eye pieces I would get
better results,.. I am trying to line up the low end products pretty
much as they come out of the box. I also understand the amount of
setup with the Orion models will be significantly different than the
Celestron, I hope I'm not comparing apples and oranges here.

Any and all info would be appreciated, thanks for your assistance.

Scott

Greetings,

I generally advise people with limited budgets not to spend any of it on
computerization. Start thinking about computerization when your budget
significantly exceeds $500. Think seriously about it when your budget
exceeds $1500. At the low end of the price range, though, optical quality,
eyepieces, and a good solid mount are what you need.

Perhaps I'm reducing the market for my own book but...

If you decide you really need a computerized telescope, the NexStar 80 and
the ETX-70 are in your price range. The NexStar appears to have a slight
edge, optically, whereas the ETX-70 probably has the better computer.

Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

Hi Scott,

I also live in Central New Jersey, so I know all about our brand of light
pollution...and lousy weather.

I think the Orion XT6 is a good idea, but the XT8 is twice as good. Owning
an 8" telescope is certainly one of respectable aperture. This would be a
fantastic entry level scope...many of us started with much smaller scopes.
With an 8" scope, you will certainly be able to see the moons of Jupiter and
much more. The real kick is when you turn your scope to a DSO (deep space
object), and the 8" will show you many of these objects as you probably have
not seen them before.

If you would like to ask some questions or just talk for a bit, feel free to
telephone...if I'm not in, leave a message and I'll get back to you. You
can find my number on my web site www.alsastro.com

Al


"dabuddha" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I've been looking around for an entry level telescope and after
reading the messages here, have moved away from the Mead models but
was wondering about the Celestron Nexstar series. I am considering the
80GT model with the go to functionality, (don't laugh, I said I was a
newbie!), is there any consensus , pro or con, regarding this brand
and/or model and additionally is there any way of buying a better
telescope with the possibility of adding on some sort of "go to"
feature?

I am also considering the Orion XT6 and/or 8 but I am also unsure if I
would have to upgrade to the XT8 strictly because of the amount of
light pollution in my area, central NJ, or can I get away with the XT6
and still be able to pick up
some of the fainter objects, such as Jupiter's moons?

I understand that given the purchase of better eye pieces I would get
better results,.. I am trying to line up the low end products pretty
much as they come out of the box. I also understand the amount of
setup with the Orion models will be significantly different than the
Celestron, I hope I'm not comparing apples and oranges here.

Any and all info would be appreciated, thanks for your assistance.

Scott

"dabuddha" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I've been looking around for an entry level telescope and after
reading the messages here, have moved away from the Mead models but
was wondering about the Celestron Nexstar series. I am considering the
80GT model with the go to functionality, (don't laugh, I said I was a
newbie!), is there any consensus , pro or con, regarding this brand
and/or model and additionally is there any way of buying a better
telescope with the possibility of adding on some sort of "go to"
feature?

I am also considering the Orion XT6 and/or 8 but I am also unsure if I
would have to upgrade to the XT8 strictly because of the amount of
light pollution in my area, central NJ, or can I get away with the XT6
and still be able to pick up
some of the fainter objects, such as Jupiter's moons?

I understand that given the purchase of better eye pieces I would get
better results,.. I am trying to line up the low end products pretty
much as they come out of the box. I also understand the amount of
setup with the Orion models will be significantly different than the
Celestron, I hope I'm not comparing apples and oranges here.

Any and all info would be appreciated, thanks for your assistance.

Scott

The Nexstar 80 is (I believe) an 80mm short focus refractor.
While I personally like these and similar scopes, you should be
aware of both the merits and limitations of owning one.

The scope is great for low-power, wide field views of star-rich regions
of the sky. However, if you live in an area with significant light
pollution,
and don't regularly travel to dark sky locations, then you'd be wasting
your money and emotional investments.

The Orion XT6, offers significant improvements in resolution, for not
much more money. But it is significantly larger - more bulky to carry,
set up and store. It will, however, provide clearer, brighter views of
the Moon and planets, at higher powers. Unfortunately, it won't track
for you, nor Goto anything automatically. For best results, you'll need to
learn how to collimate it a few times a year. But if you are on a budget,
this scope gives you the most viewing bang for the buck.

If you are content to restrict your viewing to the Moon, planets and
brighter stars, then you might consider either a 3" - 4" long focus (f/8+)
refractor, or a compact catadioptric (Maksutov-Cassegrain) such as
Meade's ETX-90 (or ETX-105/125) or Celestron's Nexstar 4".
All offer GoTo capability, though beyond the Moon and planets, there
won't be much to see in light polluted skies, other than double stars and
bright nebulae.

If there is one available, check with your local astronomy club to
see what other local amateurs use and recommend.

Cheers,
Larry G.

The 80GT has an aperture of 7.79 sq. inches
The XT8 has an aperture of 50.27 sq. inches

Guess which one collects more photons?

Jupiter's (Galilean) moons are not among the "fainter" objects... they are
among the brighter objects, and will present no problem even from light
polluted skies. Dim galaxies, globular clusters and planetary nebulae will
be among the fainter objects, but with an 8" scope you can do a lot... even
with light pollution.

Go with the XT8. You can always add GOTO functionality to the new Oroion XTs
later on... but I suggest you learn the sky first. Believe it or not many of
us find the hunting/finding to be equally as (if not more so) satisfying as
the observing.



"dabuddha" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I've been looking around for an entry level telescope and after
reading the messages here, have moved away from the Mead models but
was wondering about the Celestron Nexstar series. I am considering the
80GT model with the go to functionality, (don't laugh, I said I was a
newbie!), is there any consensus , pro or con, regarding this brand
and/or model and additionally is there any way of buying a better
telescope with the possibility of adding on some sort of "go to"
feature?

I am also considering the Orion XT6 and/or 8 but I am also unsure if I
would have to upgrade to the XT8 strictly because of the amount of
light pollution in my area, central NJ, or can I get away with the XT6
and still be able to pick up
some of the fainter objects, such as Jupiter's moons?

I understand that given the purchase of better eye pieces I would get
better results,.. I am trying to line up the low end products pretty
much as they come out of the box. I also understand the amount of
setup with the Orion models will be significantly different than the
Celestron, I hope I'm not comparing apples and oranges here.

Any and all info would be appreciated, thanks for your assistance.

Scott

I'd like to thank all of you for your helpful replies,.. been very
accomodating and respones have been enlightening. I hope to be
stargazing soon and have something to share with all of you in the
near future.