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Equipment Discussions >> Cats & Casses

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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1714
Loc: 30.8N 90.0W
Your Celestron SCT Pick
      #2565234 - 08/06/08 11:24 PM

Whether you have one or not, what model/size is the one you would want, and why.
Doug

--------------------
Truck Driving Astro-Fisherman
(I'm so confused!)

Meade 12" Lightbridge with Dob Driver II
Celestron C6S OTA
Celestron C6R OTA
Celestron Omni XLT150 OTA
Celestron Omni XLT127 OTA
Celestron CG5-ASGT mount
Celestron Omni CG-4 mount
Celestron (large) Nexstar SE2 mount
Celestron (small) Nexstar SE1 mount
Meade SWA 34mm
Televue Panoptic 24mm
Pentax XW 10mm, 7mm
Televue Plossl 32mm
BO/TMB Planetary 9mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3.2mm, 2.5mm
Astro-Tech diagonals


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Zebra24601
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 6144
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2565510 - 08/07/08 03:19 AM

I've got what I want. If I could have gotten one with Starbight XLT coatings, that would have been nice, too. But, for now, I'm quite satisfied with the C11.

I couldn't handle anything larger, and already have an 8" Meade. No point for me in going smaller than 8", since the 8" is already plenty portable.

--------------------
Zebra24601

Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Barska 15x70 binoculars
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount * Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector


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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 3782
Loc: Frederick Maryland
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Zebra24601]
      #2565666 - 08/07/08 07:55 AM

I own both a 8i and a CPC1100 ...

Doug...I traveled (like you do not know what that means as you drive an over the road tractor trailer) the last 2 years before I retired and I NEEDED..a light weight scope to keep n the trunk of my car...I ended up buying an 8i in 2001 ..for what I call its EXTREME PORTABILITY...that scope lived for 2 years in the trunk of my car 24/7 ..and today is on a pier inside my observatory but will be yanked as soon as my new pier comes in for the CPC1100 then it will revert back to my traveling scope for star parties...)

Top be honest IF I were buying today I would have to
really look at the 6Se to see how much smaller/lighter the entire package is then the 8Se after using the 8i mostly from motel parking lots for 2 years DSO's were not frequent targets so the 6 would have worked as well for me as the 8 did ..but there was no 6" scope when I bought mine..

Bob G.

--------------------
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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RAKing
professor emeritus


Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 650
Loc: Virginia
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Bob Griffiths]
      #2565845 - 08/07/08 09:50 AM

I have a C11, C925, and two C6s (long story).

Of these three, the best overall is the C925. It has the sharpest view and best contrast for me.

I also love my C11, but there are many nights where I am too tired to lug it outside. The 925 is a tick lighter (about 8 pounds) and this makes a lot of difference sometimes.

I bought the C6 as a traveling scope, then found all my trips cancelled. No biggie - I like staying at home.

Ron

--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.

TV-102 "HDTV"
C925-CF SCT "Time Machine II"
C11-A SCT "Time Machine"
Atlas EQ-G GEM / A-P Portable Pier


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David Pavlich
Postmaster
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Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 6136
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90....
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: RAKing]
      #2565933 - 08/07/08 10:47 AM

C14. I've owned one. Simply the best scope I've ever owned.

David

--------------------
A few scopes and mounts.
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,

Life expectancies would go WAY up if green vegetables smelled like bacon...




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Sirquack
super member


Reged: 05/03/08
Posts: 111
Loc: Iowa
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: David Pavlich]
      #2566172 - 08/07/08 12:43 PM

I love my 1100, so I own what I picked.

--------------------
CPC 1100 XLT
8" DIY DOB


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bob midiri
super member
*****

Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 133
Loc: pa 19320
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2566434 - 08/07/08 03:11 PM

I have an Ultima C9.25, and its the best SCT optically I ever owned, and that included a Meade 2120LX3, a meade 8,10, and 12"'LX200 Classic, also had an Ultima 8" (a close second on optics), and a classic orange C8. Bob Midiri

--------------------
Homemade 16"F6.5 dob
Celestron Ultima 9.25
Celestron/Vixen Flourite 102F8.8 w Moonlight focuser
Celestron C6RGT w DS moonlight focuser
Cave 10"F6 Super Chrome deluxe
C80ED F7.5
Skywatcher PRO ED 120 w W.O dual speed rotatable focuser


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RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
*****

Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 1988
Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: bob midiri]
      #2566440 - 08/07/08 03:17 PM

A C14 on an AP1200.

--------------------
-Roger Pitre-


1 X 7 binocular
Meade 2080 LX10
5" Celestron SCT
Skywatcher Equinox 66

EQ6 Pro mount (spiffed up with ADM stuff)

8X42 Bushnell binos (pretty decent for 25$)
Canon Rebel XT (AKA 350D)
Tolerant Spousal Unit (AKA The Lovely Mrs. RogerRZ)


----------AJP Observatory----------


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Al Canarelli
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 1344
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Sirquack]
      #2566453 - 08/07/08 03:21 PM

I've owned every Celestron SCT bigger than and including the C-6 except the C-9.25. The easy winner is...

The C-14...and I still own it! It seems to be getting heavier with time, but I'm far from ready to give it up yet. One hour under really dark skies with a C-14 will make you a believer.


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letimotif
no complaints
*****

Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 925
Loc: Far Flung Isles of Langerhans
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Al Canarelli]
      #2566539 - 08/07/08 04:05 PM

Used to have a C9.25 and enjoyed it.

Eyes got older, images got dimmer, hence the CPC 1100.

No regrets.

--------------------
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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Mark Costello
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 927
Loc: Matthews, NC, USA
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2566701 - 08/07/08 05:23 PM

I've considered this off and on for a couple of years while "window shopping" for a companion scope for my 4" achro. At this time, I'd pick the C8S-GT. I like the combination (or compromise) of aperture, portability, and ergonomics. I also like having my OTAs on a GEM. I've thought of the C9.25S-GT but my concern is that it might be a bit heavy. Also, I've even looked at the C6S-GT but there I'm afraid that there might be too much overlap between its performance and that of my 4" achro refractor.

I remember about 40 years ago drooling over the ads in Sky & Telescope for the old C8 from Celestron Pacific.

--------------------
Mark Costello
Matthews, NC

Wife, son, three daughters, two dogs, ... and

Souped up & Tuned Burgess 102mm refractor on a CG5 & Celestron 7X35's


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HendyPhoto
Sith Lord
*****

Reged: 08/09/06
Posts: 1396
Loc: Bountiful, Utah
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Al Canarelli]
      #2566737 - 08/07/08 05:40 PM

Quote:

One hour under really dark skies with a C-14 will make you a believer.




One hour under ANY sky with a C14 will make you a believer! lol

--------------------
~jon

SparkCast  Ustream

CGE1400XLT w/HyperStar
90FD 66SD C6-R SN-8
CPC1100XLT Hutech 20D
Mallincam MCHP
SPC900NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity;
and I'm not sure about the universe." --Albert Einstein


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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1714
Loc: 30.8N 90.0W
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: HendyPhoto]
      #2566876 - 08/07/08 06:50 PM

Yeah, I posted this, figuring one day, when I'm no longer driving, or driving as much, I would get myself down to 2-3 scopes, likely the 6" f/8 I already own (unless they finally achieve an Apo that size that's affordable), and an SCT, likely much larger. I have heard many great things about the C11, but since I will have my scopes permanently mounted in an observatory by then, a C14 looks mighty tasty. As for traveling constantly with an SCT, how did that work out for you, Mr. Bob Griffiths? I have considered taking my 5" SCT on the road with me. Would like your insight, and anyone else's who has traveled a lot with an SCT. Any problems?
Doug


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insinu8
super member
*****

Reged: 01/22/08
Posts: 191
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2566938 - 08/07/08 07:20 PM

I'm on the fence about this. I have a c9.25 and I love it. I got it because of my concern with mirror flop in the 11's and larger. Would I like to have a c11 or 14? Of course! But I like my 9.25 because it fits just right on my dual Alt-Az mount with my 120ST Anything larger wouldn't work.

--------------------
Christopher
-----------
ED80
120ST (Moonlit)
TMB 130SS (Thanks Bobby!)
MN55 (Moonlit)
150MCT
TEC160ED - ordered
MN86
C9.25 (Moonlit)
XT10 Dob
Obsession 18"UC


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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1714
Loc: 30.8N 90.0W
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: insinu8]
      #2566959 - 08/07/08 07:28 PM

Well, I will allow that if I was forced to have just one scope, and no more, the 9.25" would be on my short list, no doubt.
Doug


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RAKing
professor emeritus


Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 650
Loc: Virginia
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2567032 - 08/07/08 08:04 PM

My C925 thinks it's a Mak.

Sure, I wish it was a little bigger - okay a LOT bigger. I also wish I was a LOT younger, too.

Ron

--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.

TV-102 "HDTV"
C925-CF SCT "Time Machine II"
C11-A SCT "Time Machine"
Atlas EQ-G GEM / A-P Portable Pier


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Zoomster
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 01/30/05
Posts: 633
Loc: Tampa FL
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: RAKing]
      #2567110 - 08/07/08 08:41 PM

I bought my Celestron CPC 1100 because it is a chick magnet..

(ducking frying pan...)

Uh, because it is the biggest I could buy and sill carry around reasonably well and the goto is wicked.

--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100 aka "The Marino"
Moonlite Dual Rate Focuser
WO Dielecric Diagonal
Denkmeier "Big Easy" Binos and assorted eyepieces.
Coranado PST
SPC900NC...not modded...yet. (eh-eh)

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Epicurus


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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1714
Loc: 30.8N 90.0W
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Zoomster]
      #2567163 - 08/07/08 09:03 PM

The answer to your signature, not that I want to go off topic, and this is all I'll say, is he gave us free will, and evil stems from man, not God. His is not the blame.

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Psyire
sage
*****

Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 345
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: doug76]
      #2567230 - 08/07/08 09:45 PM

I've owned the 8SE and now own the CPC11.

I perfer the C11, as it definately shows more detail.

--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100 XLT, Sky-Watcher Equinox 80ED
TV 31T5-Nagler, 8&13mm-Ethos
EarthWin Binoviewers w/ 24mm Panoptics




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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 1830
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
Re: Your Celestron SCT Pick new [Re: Psyire]
      #2567675 - 08/08/08 01:41 AM


I would have say, the Celestron 6" SCT. Very portable, easy to use, the right price...

Fred

--------------------
Trinity College - Cambridge England


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