15 replies to this topic

[Nico2104]

Good night,
I would like to ask if you could recommend the best 8-inch telescope with the following features:

• Easy to transport
• GoTo
• For visual use (not astrophotography)

 

Thank you very much!

[bobzeq25]

https://www.celestro...rized-telescope

[Ice Cube]

since there's no budget stated, i would recommend that 8" OTA on evolution mount

 

https://www.celestro...ion-8-telescope

 

battery is already built in and the tripod is much less shaky.

Edited by Ice Cube, 22 January 2025 - 12:08 PM.

[ABQJeff]

Since you said the best, with no dollar limit, I would go C8 Edge HD.

Contrary to common thought, the Edge has more benefit for visual than AP, IMHO (large flat, coma free field views, and C8 Edge reducer keeps enough backfocus to allow use of 1.25” diagonal with loss of correction or aperture loss).

[carolinaskies]

Good night,
I would like to ask if you could recommend the best 8-inch telescope with the following features:

• Easy to transport
• GoTo
• For visual use (not astrophotography)

 

Thank you very much!

There are two telescopes I would recommend depending on which style of observing you believe you'll prefer. 

1. Manual pointing & control - 8" Dobsonian of which there are multiple choices.  If you need the tube to be more compact consider a collapsible version, otherwise a full tube version is acceptable. 

2. Electronic pointing & control -  8" SCT telescope.  Budget friendly is the 8SE.  Evolution 8 is more robust.  CPC800 is very robust but quite portable. 

[astroclint]

You could look into a goto dob.

https://www.amazon.c...3979925922&th=1

[Spikey131]

The best?

 

https://www.telescop.../apo200fl-f-11/

 

or

 

https://cfftelescope...ctor-200-230-mm

 

OK, I guess they really aren’t easy to transport…..

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Spikey131, 22 January 2025 - 05:41 PM.

[StellarWanderer8055]

For an 8-inch GoTo telescope, I recommend:

 

• Celestron NexStar 8SE – Lightweight and easy to set up.
• Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 – Built-in battery and WiFi.
• Sky-Watcher 8" Flextube GoTo Dobsonian – Great value, but bulkier.

 

The NexStar 8SE is great for portability.

[dmgriff]

Ioptron AZ Pro mount

 

add your 8in SCT or 7in Mak of choice

[aneeg]

I have a Mewlon 210 on an AZMP mount.

Arne

[Spile]

The 8” Apertura or equivalent Dobsonian would be my recommendation 

[PIEJr]

The best?

 

https://www.telescop.../apo200fl-f-11/

 

or

 

https://cfftelescope...ctor-200-230-mm

 

OK, I guess they really aren’t easy to transport…..

Yeah! Gimme two.  

[WadeH237]

Given the requirements, I agree with the folks suggesting the NexStar 8SE.

[truckerfromaustin]

The best 8 inch dobsonian that I'm aware is my Teeter STS, but it's a very rare scope. I've seen a 10 inch version on craigslist in Houston and an 11 inch on astromart. Mine is equipped with an old Sky Commander push to setup. For your needs a good SCT is the best option unless you want to spend a fortune on a big dob with the Argo Navis, Servo Cat system. You will be able to find one in the $3,500 range and it will probably be a 15 inch dob.

Clear Skies

[TayM57]

The best 8 inch dobsonian that I'm aware is my Teeter STS, but it's a very rare scope. I've seen a 10 inch version on craigslist in Houston and an 11 inch on astromart. Mine is equipped with an old Sky Commander push to setup. For your needs a good SCT is the best option unless you want to spend a fortune on a big dob with the Argo Navis, Servo Cat system. You will be able to find one in the $3,500 range and it will probably be a 15 inch dob.

Clear Skies

I have a 8" f/3, also not a common scope.

[DyDyMT]

Good night,
I would like to ask if you could recommend the best 8-inch telescope with the following features:

• Easy to transport
• GoTo
• For visual use (not astrophotography)

 

Thank you very much!

Hi, I'm wondering if you'd pulled the trigger on your 8" scope yet?  Which one if so, and are you happy?  I'm considering an 8" to upgrade from my 127 Mak and am taking a serious look at the NexStar Evolution 8 HD Telescope with StarSense - mostly for the SkyPortal and Auto Align.  I also have an Explorer push-to 8"Dob which is amazing for DSO and ease of use, and a 100 Evostar, but SynScan on the Evostar is.... a pain in the rear IMO.  Inquiring minds