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rocco13
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/29/06
Posts: 1469
Loc: Phoenix, Arizona
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I've been contemplating one of these for a few weeks now. I'm still in the exploratory stage, and will probably try to find a used one rather than new.
My questions are basically what are the main differences between the Nexstar and the CPC versions?
I know the Nexstar has been around a while longer, but what are some things to watch out for? Any issues with older models, such as inability to upgrade software, accuracy issues, etc?
FWIW, there was a local craigslist ad for a 8 yr old Nexstar C11 going for $1,000. Evidently it went fast because the ad was gone the next day. There also was another C11 going for $1500 a few months back but, the person placing the ad didn't know enough about whether it was GoTo or not.
PS...Ill be doing visual observing only, and have no plans for AP.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
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Rocco
Obsession 15"
Super C8 (1984 vintage)
Celestron 102 f/5
and a cheap pair of binoculars
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 3957
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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The original NS11 GPS and the new CPC1100 are identicakl as far as the OTA is concerned..(coatings may be starbright in some older GPS models)....
The major difference is that the original used North & Level for alignment whereas the new one uses SkyAlign.. AND..the skyalign HC is upgradable via the web the original HC is NOT.... BUT you can purchase a new HC for 150... the skyalign is easier to use since you can pick any bright object that is not behind a darn tree...BUT it is no faster to align nor more accurate as far as I can tell from the original...
The other difference is that the material now used for the gears is not as robust as the original..BUT honestly the new material may only last 100 years not 200 like the original...basically a non issue...
I look high and low for a used one for about a year since I already had a upgradable HC ..BUT never found one
Ended up buying a new CPC 1100
Bob G
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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letimotif
no complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1003
Loc: Far Flung Isles of Langerhans
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For me, Bob--as usual--hit the high points. About all I could add would be:
1. The NexStar has a carbon fiber OTA giving it a little bit lighter weight and some marginal improvement in achieving ambient temperature. Thought there was it would be a little easier to maintain focus on long exposure images.
2. Many folks ended up buying a "landing pad" to help when mounting the NexStar on its tripod. Celestron fixed this with the CPC, making it much easier to center on point when mounting.
I honestly think you'd be happy with either. I know that I see few NexStars on A-Mart whereas I see a fair number of CPC 1100s. My opinion is that some folks who are new to the hobby start out with one and find they either don't use it that much, or its a little bigger than they can handle and flip it for something else.
My tuppence.
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Celestron CPC 1100
Celestron C6R-GT
Orion 120ST
B&L Banner Astro 80mm
Astro Telescopes 'tis a mystery 80mm ED
Sundry Oddments
Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?
Ad astra per aspera
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 3957
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Letimotif May be correct on the reason you see a fair number of theses scopes for sale...
I am in my mid 60's and have a backyard observatory and I would definitely not have purchased my 11" if I had to lug it outside every night... As it is I have only used it 4 times in the 4 months or so I have owned it...once to just check it out once to give it a good workout and twice when my son in law did the Deed and set it up...
Just so much easier to walk in the observatory and wake up my 8i from hibernation and be viewing in under 2 minutes IF I do not wait for the laptop to fully load,, takes much longer for the laptop to get to my desktop then it does to get the scope up and running ..and the only work I need to do is power on the scope and wait for the GPS to link then pick up the HC and press enter... and pull up my chair... In another 15 years when i'm 80 I think I'l still be able to handle that much "work"..(fingers crossed)
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 2354
Loc: Colorado
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The carbon fiber tube does not help the scope achieve ambient temperatures, it actually takes longer with CF than aluminum. What it does help with are the changes in focusing caused by temperature changes over an night of observing. CF is more stable and won't change size as much as aluminum as the temperature changes. This affects imaging more so than visual work. When it comes to tube material the CPC would be better for visual work, the NS better for imaging.
Rocco,
Before you buy you should find out what the firmware revision levels of the NS11 are, and then check with Mike Swanson's great site http://www.nexstarsite.com/ . What I think you'll want to stay away from are the very early version NS models, the ones where the motor controller board firmware can't be upgraded (a different issue from upgrading or replacing the hand controller that Bob mentioned) .
You might also consider a little background reading on Uncle Rod's site about the history of older SCTs ... it will give you some ideas as to what to look or look out for. link
Some of the other differences ...
Split rings for power in the base means less cord wrap issues with the older NS
Better gears in the NS (as Bob mentioned) - only serious imagers will likely be interested and those folks usually have gone to a gem mount anyway. One thing that hasn't been proven yet but is likely IMHO is that the non metallic bearings in the azimuth base won't last as long as those in the NS, especially if they are abused (left dirty and never cleaned).
Different alignment routines (also as Bob mentioned) - debatable benefits, generally due to personal preferences.
The coatings - Older NS scopes had only Starbright, later ones had the option of Starbright XLT, most CPCs are Starbright XLT. Differences, well a slight benefit with the XLT, most folks can't see it visually. The one definite difference is that XLTs command a slight price premium.
Different tube mounting - the NS uses a more robust side rail system to mount the tube, the CPCs use a simpler rear cell mounting system.
Fastar compatible secondary holders on the NS series - only an issue if you ever wanted to use the Starizona Hyperstar system for imaging, if so the Fastar setup means you'll save $250 (won't need the conversion kit).
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Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED
Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s, 8x56s, T-Mount Light, and Mark 1 eyeballs
Modded 350D, SPC900, Mallincam
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