Celestron vs Meade Showdown!

[Simon]

Looking for a first telescope, have been coping with binoculars for years.  With a budget of around £1500 I'm down to two telescopes - Celestron C8-SGT (Goto 8") and Meade LX90 (also Goto 8"). Would like a telescope useable for both planetary and deep sky observing, but which is also portable and easily adapted for possible future astro-photography.  Am I on the right track with these scopes, how do they match up to one another?  
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Rocket Pooch]

Hi,

I have an LX90 and its ok for nearly everything I want, I got a package of the LX90 including the LPI; but, if your going to do serious photography I'd get a wedge (£200 extra).

also, portable? if you can pickup about 50lb and cart it around, you will need a reasonabel sized boot, but I'm ok with mine.

Go have a look at some of the images I've taken on http://www.jumpers4goalposts.org.uk there's a few LX90 one's there.

Paul, your turn


[ This Message was edited by: csuddell on 2004-06-20 20:46 ]

[Mike]

Why do you say OK and not 'great or 'crap' ?

[Ian]

also, what does telescope ownership have to do with the size of your feet?

On an aside, I have a friend selling a 10" LX200GPS and stuff. Anyone interested?

[Mike]

Price? And WHY is he selling (honest answers on a postcard please).

[Simon]

I take size 12s so my boot size isn't a problem.  Has anyone used both the Meade and the Celestron, how does the quality of the optics differ.  I've heard that the celestron tubes are carbon fibre, a fair bit lighter than Meade but would this compromise on stability.

[Mike]

The carbon fibre should be just as strong as the metal ones. I guess it would be prone to distortion by heat as much, but would maybe take a bit longer to cool down?!

[Rocket Pooch]

CAR BOOT children, and its OK, not the best, you all know you need more than one telescope

[Whitters]

The word on the street re: Meade vs Celestron is that Meade usually have more toys but the Celestron optics have the edge, though I must add that I haven't seen any recent reviews. All the UK Supernova boys use Celestron scopes, but on $10,000 Paramount ME mounts.
Have you considered UK telescope makers Orion Optics? you could get more mirror for your bucks.

[ This Message was edited by: whitters on 2004-06-22 11:38 ]

[ This Message was edited by: whitters on 2004-06-22 12:49 ]

[Simon]

Hmmm, thanks for the info.  Like the look of the celestron scope at the mo even though I discovered the tube is aluminium not carbon fibre.  I'll take a look at the Orion scopes though.  Anyone that has used the celestron scope or similar, interested to hear what you think.

[Rick]

A tube that conducts heat well makes a scope that'll reach equilibrium quicker....

Unless the weight is an important factor, an aluminium tube is better than a carbon-fibre one.

[ This Message was edited by: Rick on 2004-06-23 21:37 ]