Nexstar 8i vs Celestron C8S-GT - 8 SCT on CG-5GT Mount

Another alternative is:

- Meade 8" f/10 SC on LXD55 w/ GoTo

What is the best one?

-
"GoldfishPanda" wrote in message
...
Which 8 inch scope is better? The Nexstar 8i or the Celestron C8S-GT - 8"
SCT on CG-5GT Mount

It seems the Nextstar only has a red dot finder type scope. Its a tiny bit
more portable since it doesn't have the weights that an EQ mount has. But,
I
saw reference to "backlash." What is backlash?

The Celestron C8S-GT - 8" SCT on CG-5GT Mount seems like a good setup, but
I
couldn't find many comments on how well this set up works.

Both have GOTO, although I saw someone say something Negative about the
nexstar's interface.

"GoldfishPanda" wrote in message
...
Which 8 inch scope is better? The Nexstar 8i or the Celestron C8S-GT - 8"
SCT on CG-5GT Mount

The scopes are identical. ;-)


It seems the Nextstar only has a red dot finder type scope. Its a tiny bit
more portable since it doesn't have the weights that an EQ mount has.

The Nexstar 8i is more than just a bit more portable. By comparison, the
CG-5 is a large mount. I suggest you see these in person to judge (if you
haven't).

After using a wedge mounted SCT for quite some time, I lust after the CG-5
or better for imaging with my optically good C8 OTA. I also see no reason to
get GoTo for visual use, unless its to get tracking with an altazimuth
mount.

I'd go for the 8i, unless I expected to do long exposure astro-imaging.

-Stephen

What is a wedge? Sometimes I see these Meade and Celestron fork scopes
angled strangely on the tripod. Is that a wedge doing this to simulate an EQ
mount angle?

Do you need this for tracking, or can the base scope with normal tripod
suffice?

"Stephen Paul" wrote in message
...

"GoldfishPanda" wrote in message
...
Which 8 inch scope is better? The Nexstar 8i or the Celestron C8S-GT -
8"
SCT on CG-5GT Mount

The scopes are identical. ;-)


It seems the Nextstar only has a red dot finder type scope. Its a tiny
bit
more portable since it doesn't have the weights that an EQ mount has.

The Nexstar 8i is more than just a bit more portable. By comparison, the
CG-5 is a large mount. I suggest you see these in person to judge (if you
haven't).

After using a wedge mounted SCT for quite some time, I lust after the CG-5
or better for imaging with my optically good C8 OTA. I also see no reason
to
get GoTo for visual use, unless its to get tracking with an altazimuth
mount.

I'd go for the 8i, unless I expected to do long exposure astro-imaging.

-Stephen

GoldfishPanda wrote:
What is a wedge? Sometimes I see these Meade and Celestron fork scopes
angled strangely on the tripod. Is that a wedge doing this to simulate an EQ
mount angle?

Yes.


Do you need this for tracking, or can the base scope with normal tripod
suffice?

Equatorial mounting/tracking is only critical for long duration (a few
minutes or more) astrophotography. Alt-Az dual-axis tracking is fine
visually, but will result in field rotation in the situation above.

Phil

Equatorial mounting/tracking is only critical for long duration (a few
minutes or more) astrophotography. Alt-Az dual-axis tracking is fine
visually, but will result in field rotation in the situation above.


Ok, thanks...

GoldfishPanda wrote:
Which 8 inch scope is better? The Nexstar 8i or the Celestron C8S-GT - 8"
SCT on CG-5GT Mount

It seems the Nextstar only has a red dot finder type scope. Its a tiny bit
more portable since it doesn't have the weights that an EQ mount has. But, I
saw reference to "backlash." What is backlash?

The Celestron C8S-GT - 8" SCT on CG-5GT Mount seems like a good setup, but I
couldn't find many comments on how well this set up works.

Both have GOTO, although I saw someone say something Negative about the
nexstar's interface.

Ultimately either scope should be fine for visual work, but I wouldn't
consider either scope to be mounted adequately for photographic work. If
you ever plan on doing any imaging, I would either get the OTA by itself
and then get a Losmandy GM-8 or better mounting and put the OTA on that.

As a general rule, GEMS are far easier to use with heavy accessories like
cameras than fork mounted scopes since GEMS are easier to balance.

--
Bill

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