rwhillman
member
Reged: 05/27/07
Posts: 30
Loc: Northern California
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Am buying a first (and probably last) scope and would appreciate some thoughts on the difference between the two other than cost. Obviously what can be seen matters, but so does portability, ease of transport, and room required for storage.  I have spent some time perusing the forum and appreciate the good advice many have offered, but I have not seen the question put quite this way. Thanks.
Bob
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brooster
super member
Reged: 04/24/07
Posts: 130
Loc: East Tennessee
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As of today the 6SE has a $150.00 rebate and the 8SE has a $200.00 rebate.
To Quote Celestron:
"The largest of the NexStar SE family with 78% more light gathering than a 6" model, the NexStar 8 SE will enable you to see deep into the Universe. "
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Bruce
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
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rick rian
Seeker of Truth(s)
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 36060
Loc: Upper Mid West
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Hi Bob,
Welcome aboard CN ... glad you joined the group! Sounds like you're in the same boat I was a few years back ...
I opted for the N8i at the time, reason being I got the most aperture with the lightest weight GoTo mount. I love it ... the views are fantastic! The N8SE is essentially the same C8 SCT OTA that Celestron has producing for many years and it is a proven great performer. The newer GoTo mounts make life a lot easier in the night.
That being said, there is a saying that "the best telescope is the one you use most" and if you think it's too much scope for you, for what ever the reason, go with a smaller unit. That's a choice you will have to make for yourself ...
Good luck in your search and please let us know what you decide ...
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Rickster
Scopes: C8, TV85
Mounts: NexStar 8i mount (w/ Ray's Bracket) on HD tripod, Losmandy GM-8, Helix Hercules Single-Arm Alt/Azm Mount w/ Oberwerk wood tripod
EPs: UO, TMB, TV, Baader
He who knows best knows how little he knows.
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Tel
Postmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 7764
Loc: Wallingford England
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The basic difference just has to be aperture where obviously the 8" wins hands down.
As to portability, the tripod and mount is the same for both and weighs in at ca. 4.08Kgs. The 6SE OTA weighs 9.53Kgs and the 8SE 10.89kgs so adding them together there's about 1.5 kgs between them.
Thus in terms of room storage it's about equal. If your budget will stretch to the 8SE and this is the make and model series you want, I would say go for it !
Regards,
Tel
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Truth is the cubed root of Verbosity.
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rwhillman
member
Reged: 05/27/07
Posts: 30
Loc: Northern California
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Very helpful comments. Particularly interested in Tel's observation that storage about the same. Weight difference seems small. Leaning towards the 8.
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 17311
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Welcome to Cloudy Nights rwhillman! I can't do a comparison, but do have the Nexstar8i (older version without the rail). It's a nice scope, under dark skies I've been very happy with it's performance (however, even with an 8" scope, I do have aperture fever  )
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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Quote:
As of today the 6SE has a $150.00 rebate and the 8SE has a $200.00 rebate.
Thanks for the heads-up. Both are good deals, also $100 rebate on the 4SE and 5SE, through July 31, 2007.
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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GordonCopestake
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/02/06
Posts: 2715
Loc: Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK
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There isn't much difference physically between the 2 'scopes, storage is identical. Obviously the 8" OTA is bigger though and about 2.5kg heavier. I went with the 6SE for cost mainly but also because even though it's only 2.5kg lighter, if you are moving your 'scope around a lot then it does make a difference. If you can afford it, both finaincially and physically, then go for the 8SE. You wont be disapointed.
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mufoi
member
Reged: 04/19/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Victorville, CA
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I have an 8SE for about two month now. I love the scope. I was considering the 6SE but opted for the 8SE because of the extra apature. It's a good idea to invest in a good scope.
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Digital Engineer for the Deep Space Network
NexStar 8SE
Powertank 17
Various Celestron eyepieces and filters
Nikon D40x
Celestron 10x50 binoculars
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Hal Pollner
Reged: 08/30/05
Posts: 6567
Loc: Southern California Desert
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HEY BOB:
The 8 SE is three pounds (1.36KG) heavier than the 6 SE.
That's 33 lbs vs 30 lbs. (With tripod).
You won't notice that small difference...it's like a three pound box of chocolates, with that 78 percent greater light grasp being just as sweet!
I'll be orderting my Celestron NexStar 8 SE later this month, before the rebate offer expires on July 31.
HAL
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Edited by Hal Pollner (06/09/07 05:02 PM)
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Hal Pollner
Reged: 08/30/05
Posts: 6567
Loc: Southern California Desert
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HEY MUFOI:
You're in Victorville and I'm in Apple Valley, just a bit East of you!
Our Astronomy Club HiDAS (High Desert Astronomical Society) will be having its monthly meeting at our Observatory/Science Complex next Saturday the 16th at 7:30 PM.
You are cordially invited to attend! We will be discussing a new dark-sky site for our Summer star parties.
If interested, call me for directions: (760-247-4785)
HAL
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StarWars
Mr. Postmaster Man
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 22112
Loc: Frost Byte Falls <>
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Quote:
HEY BOB:
The 8 SE is three pounds (1.36KG) heavier than the 6 SE.
That's 33 lbs vs 30 lbs. (With tripod).
You won't notice that small difference...it's like a three pound box of chocolates, with that 78 percent greater light grasp being just as sweet!
I'll be orderting my Celestron NexStar 8 SE later this month, before the rebate offer expires on July 31.
HAL
But Hal, I remember you compared the nexstar 8 and the meade LX90 and you bought the LX90!
do you still have the LX90??
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Dell Axim X5 400Mhz
PPC pocket stars 5.12
7x35/10x50/15x70 Bino's
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Hal Pollner
Reged: 08/30/05
Posts: 6567
Loc: Southern California Desert
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HEY STAR WARS:
It was in the fall of 2005 when I visited OPT and compared both the Meade 8" LX90 LNT and the Celestron NexStar 8 SE, both of which were on the showroom floor.
I picked 'em up and walked around with 'em, and although the Meade was 20 pounds heavier (53 lbs vs 33 lbs) than the Celestron, I bought it because it had the more "macho" dual-arm fork.
What a jerk I was! (I recently sold the LX90).
Now I'm going to order the "wimpy" NexStar 8 SE, with its "wet-noodle" single-arm mount!
Go figure!
HAL
(Maybe someday I'll get to know myself, but first, someone must introduce me to me...)
HALSIE
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Edited by Hal Pollner (06/10/07 08:58 PM)
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mufoi
member
Reged: 04/19/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Victorville, CA
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Hi Hal,
I have a family function that day, but it might be over by 6. I will try to attend.
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Digital Engineer for the Deep Space Network
NexStar 8SE
Powertank 17
Various Celestron eyepieces and filters
Nikon D40x
Celestron 10x50 binoculars
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