18 replies to this topic

[Buck_killer]

Hi all! I'm new here and totally new to astronomy, but I'm hooked.  I've been playing with a telescope I bought for my daughter a few years ago, an Orion 130ST EQ, and have found it underpowered/underwhelming. So I'm looking to get the most bang for my buck on an upgrade. I found a celestron GP-C8 but I don't know if it's worth what they're asking...wasn't that combo produced like 30 years ago?

 

Also can get an Orion Skyview 8" with a ton of accessories for like 600 bucks barely used with a camera, but I've heard some horror stories about that scope/mount set up, and don't know if that's a good deal either. I want a minimum of 8" aperture based on the research I've done. Thoughts??? 

[ShaulaB]

What's the price for the C8? Can't tell if it's too high without knowing that.

 

Here is an 8 inch Dob new from our CN host Astronomics. As a CN member, you get a discount. I have seen this scope in action and can recommend it to a beginner looking to upgrade. https://astronomics....onian-telescope

[Buck_killer]

What's the price for the C8? Can't tell if it's too high without knowing that.

 

Here is an 8 inch Dob new from our CN host Astronomics. As a CN member, you get a discount. I have seen this scope in action and can recommend it to a beginner looking to upgrade. https://astronomics....onian-telescope

The GP-C8 is 790 plus 150 shipping and the skyview 8 is 599 with every upgrade imaginable and an old Canon 35mm camera

[dnrmilspec]

I think the price for the GP-C8 with shipping is way too high unless it comes with some really nice eyepieces.  Nearly $1K for a scope that old is no bargain.  You have much better choices new for that kind of money.  Also I think the Orion will be a pain though depending on the accessories it may be a reasonable value.

 

With no further information about the Orion I am going to agree with ShaulaB that you would be far better off with the new Dob.  If you want a GOTO scope a very good beginner scope with room to grow is the Celestron 6SE which is on sale now at Astronomics for $899.00.  That is cheaper than the 30 year old C8 and, depending on the condition of the C8, may well perform as well.

 

When you say "every upgrade imaginable" please be specific.  For example.  A scope may come with 10 eyepieces, none of which will rock your world.  OTOH, if the previous owner knew what she/he was doing you may find some treasures in the box.

[moarsua7]

Hi there, and welcome to the hobby!

 

It’s great to see you diving into astronomy! Both the Celestron GP-C8 and the Orion Skyview 8” can be decent options, but there are a few things to consider.

 

Regarding the Celestron GP-C8, you’re right that it’s an older setup—produced a few decades ago—but it’s still a solid, reliable telescope if it’s in good condition. The optics (the 8” SCT) can deliver great views of planets, deep sky objects, and the Moon, but make sure to check the condition of the optics and mount before buying. If it's priced reasonably, it could still offer good value, especially if the mount and tripod are still functioning well.

 

The Orion Skyview 8”, on the other hand, has a bit of a mixed reputation depending on the specific mount and setup. Some people report issues with the mount’s stability and tracking, so you’ll want to carefully check the condition of the mount, particularly if it's a few years old. That said, $600 for the telescope and accessories does sound like a pretty good deal if everything is in working order. It might just be a bit more of a challenge to get it set up and performing well if the mount is not as solid as you'd like.

If you’re set on getting an 8” aperture, I think either of these could work for you, but you might also want to consider newer scopes or mounts, which could offer better stability and ease of use—especially if you plan to do astrophotography or want something that’s easier to set up.

 

Good luck with your decision, and enjoy your journey into the stars!

[Buck_killer]

I think the price for the GP-C8 with shipping is way too high unless it comes with some really nice eyepieces.  Nearly $1K for a scope that old is no bargain.  You have much better choices new for that kind of money.  Also I think the Orion will be a pain though depending on the accessories it may be a reasonable value.

 

With no further information about the Orion I am going to agree with ShaulaB that you would be far better off with the new Dob.  If you want a GOTO scope a very good beginner scope with room to grow is the Celestron 6SE which is on sale now at Astronomics for $899.00.  That is cheaper than the 30 year old C8 and, depending on the condition of the C8, may well perform as well.

 

When you say "every upgrade imaginable" please be specific.  For example.  A scope may come with 10 eyepieces, none of which will rock your world.  OTOH, if the previous owner knew what she/he was doing you may find some treasures in the box.

 

 

I would love to go to a celestron 8se but the price...I have found a ton of ridiculously good deals on the go to 6's, but the 8 aperture from what I hear gathers a ton more light, and my 130mm orion is just underwhelming. So how good is the celestron 6 vs the celestron 8? Will I be depressed later on that I didn't get the 8 to start?

 

Also from what I see the orion skyview 8 comes with stock eyepieces, a collimator, an old 35mm Canon camera, a Lazer pointer of some kind that is taped to the tube, and that's pretty much it. Everything else is stock. It's on ebay and easy to find 

[maniack]

I would love to go to a celestron 8se but the price...I have found a ton of ridiculously good deals on the go to 6's, but the 8 aperture from what I hear gathers a ton more light, and my 130mm orion is just underwhelming. So how good is the celestron 6 vs the celestron 8? Will I be depressed later on that I didn't get the 8 to start?

 

Also from what I see the orion skyview 8 comes with stock eyepieces, a collimator, an old 35mm Canon camera, a Lazer pointer of some kind that is taped to the tube, and that's pretty much it. Everything else is stock. It's on ebay and easy to find 

At $940 shipped the GP-C8 seems way overpriced. An 8SE should be possible for under $1000 used, at least if you're in the US. There's one in stock at this major retailer.

 

The one warning about the 8SE is that the mount/tripod are a bit undersized for the aperture, so some shakiness is to be expected. Vibration suppression pads can help a bit.

 

I would avoid the Skyview. A dobsonian would be much easier to use, and the price is too high on the Skyview to even consider since you can get a new dob for less. Here is one that includes a nice reflex sight for $460.

[vtornado]

I had the 8 inch f/5 newt on a CG5 class EQ mount.  It was quite a heavy setup (65 lbs)  and at the edge of the  mounts performance.  It will need home-brew rotating rings.  If you live in a wind regime it will never settle down.  Really needs a bigger mount.

 

Orion 130ST EQ, and have found it underpowered/underwhelming.  ... hmm that is troubling.  maybe you should consider a see-star.  Yeah an 8 will produce better images but maybe still less than you expect.

 

The biggest bug-a-boo is light pollution.  Have you taken the scope out of town?

[ShaulaB]

Is this the scope? Orion Skyview 8"

 

https://telescopes.n...-telescope.html

 

If so, here are my thoughts. Yuk--a feeble equatorial mount that will be frustrating to use.

Yuk--an equally feeble tripod that will produce shakes. Yuk--Orion has gone out of business. No chance of parts or any customer service to answer questions.

Yuk--a short focal ratio (4.9) means collimation every time it is brought out. The shorter the focal length, the more precise the collimation has to be to form a good sharp image. An 8 inch f6 is considered standard and better.

If you are handy with carpentry, you could build a Dobsonian mount for the optical tube.

 

There is probably good reason why this scope is "Discontinued" at the vendor's site. I would stay away, even with all the accessories. And the Canon DSLR thrown in to the mix makes me even more suspect that this is not a good deal.

 

 

And yes, the price for the C8 is WAY too high. Half of that would be appropriate.

[Daveatvt01]

Is this the Orion scope?
https://www.ebay.com...ASABEgI-FPD_BwE

I have the 8” f4 version of this scope on the SkyView deluxe mount. I can’t tell if the ad is for the f4 or f5 variant.
My two cents:
1. The rings make it VERY difficult to reposition the scope as you move from one target to the next (required).
2. The collimation is very finicky. Often I have to recollimate after going to a different part of the sky, even after replacing the springs with much stiffer ones.
It is under mounted for sure, but the above two issues are worse.

Things really start to open up at about 8” of aperture, so definitely go for a scope that big if you can… but I’d pass on this one. I used the setup for sketching, which was fine because I’d spend an hour or more on a target. But it was downright unpleasant for general use. The camera it comes with is an old film camera too.
+1 on getting an 8” dob.

[jpcampbell]

I would love to go to a celestron 8se but the price...I have found a ton of ridiculously good deals on the go to 6's, but the 8 aperture from what I hear gathers a ton more light, and my 130mm orion is just underwhelming. So how good is the celestron 6 vs the celestron 8? Will I be depressed later on that I didn't get the 8 to start?

 

Also from what I see the orion skyview 8 comes with stock eyepieces, a collimator, an old 35mm Canon camera, a Lazer pointer of some kind that is taped to the tube, and that's pretty much it. Everything else is stock. It's on ebay and easy to find 

The 6SE was my first proper telescope and it's not a purchase you would regret. I got a fantastic deal for one used but practically new in 2019. Good deals can be had for these used. I don't know where you are, but in the city I could see just about every class of object there is to see apart from galaxies. Under a darker sky, you'll see way more.  For sure the 8" will show more, but I understand the SE mount is better matched with the 6" than the 8". I don't think you would go wrong with the 6" if you're patient and get a good price used.

[Buck_killer]

Very, very good info from very good people. Thank all of you. The GP-C8 is on ebay and so is the Orion 8" bundle if you all want to see them and comment. You may have saved me from a blunder

[Echolight]

I would love to go to a celestron 8se but the price...I have found a ton of ridiculously good deals on the go to 6's, but the 8 aperture from what I hear gathers a ton more light, and my 130mm orion is just underwhelming. So how good is the celestron 6 vs the celestron 8? Will I be depressed later on that I didn't get the 8 to start?

 

Also from what I see the orion skyview 8 comes with stock eyepieces, a collimator, an old 35mm Canon camera, a Lazer pointer of some kind that is taped to the tube, and that's pretty much it. Everything else is stock. It's on ebay and easy to find 

You might be underwhelmed, disappointed, no matter what you get.

 

I have bigger 6, 8, and 10 inch scopes. But I get a lot of enjoyment out of 5 inch scopes.

[Patrick]

Hi all! I'm new here and totally new to astronomy, but I'm hooked.  I've been playing with a telescope I bought for my daughter a few years ago, an Orion 130ST EQ, and have found it underpowered/underwhelming. So I'm looking to get the most bang for my buck on an upgrade. I found a celestron GP-C8 but I don't know if it's worth what they're asking...wasn't that combo produced like 30 years ago?

 

Also can get an Orion Skyview 8" with a ton of accessories for like 600 bucks barely used with a camera, but I've heard some horror stories about that scope/mount set up, and don't know if that's a good deal either. I want a minimum of 8" aperture based on the research I've done. Thoughts??? 

If you're looking for an old time classic telescope setup, the GP-C8 would be the right choice.   As for the Orion Skyview 8", I had that setup and it nearly made me quit the astronomy hobby.  A reflector on an EQ mount is not a very ergonomic setup.

 

Patrick

[JOEinCO]

Some fool just bought it. Over $900 shipped!!

[Echolight]

Is this the Orion scope?
https://www.ebay.com...ASABEgI-FPD_BwE

I have the 8” f4 version of this scope on the SkyView deluxe mount. I can’t tell if the ad is for the f4 or f5 variant.
My two cents:
1. The rings make it VERY difficult to reposition the scope as you move from one target to the next (required).
2. The collimation is very finicky. Often I have to recollimate after going to a different part of the sky, even after replacing the springs with much stiffer ones.
It is under mounted for sure, but the above two issues are worse.

Things really start to open up at about 8” of aperture, so definitely go for a scope that big if you can… but I’d pass on this one. I used the setup for sketching, which was fine because I’d spend an hour or more on a target. But it was downright unpleasant for general use. The camera it comes with is an old film camera too.
+1 on getting an 8” dob.

Must be a real old one. I've never seen a three wire spider on one before.

[maniack]

Some fool just bought it. Over $900 shipped!!

Maybe they did local pickup, but at $800 it's still excessive in my opinion.

[CHASLX200]

A GP- C8 if we are talking about a GP mount is worth around 600 smacks or more if freaky sharp and all works and is near mint gents.

[Patrick]

Some fool just bought it. Over $900 shipped!!

Not necessarily...that mount really is a classic design. See  Company Seven description.

 

Patrick