Re: Tonight I start the adventure

Ya sold me..



======================================
> LOL!
> Naw, you won't be commiting astro-suicide with an SCT, and in fact, it's
> a good all around choice in a scope. Doubtful if there is any other
> instrument made, that is as versatile as the SCT.
>
> At my club's last meeting, a member brought in a new Meade 8" LX-200GPS,
> to show how he had hooked a miniature Palm Pilot to it through the
> RS-232 Port, and was able to control it, via Palm Pilot, with small star
> maps on board. pretty neat.
>
> I was very impressed by the build quality, and the sophistication of
> this scope. They sure have come a long way over the last 20 years.
>
> There's so many countless available acessories for the SCT that is
> readily available, so you can persue any type of visual work, and any
> type of Imaging, solar, lunar, planetary, deep sky, focal reducers, dew
> caps, dew heaters, crayford focusers, prime focus camera adapters,
> eyepiece projection adapters, solar filters, acessory shelves, flip
> mirrors, you name it, just to name a few.
>
> Portability is a main consideration of the SCT, as it is a folded
> system, has a closed tube, which has a benefit of optics staying a bit
> cleaner over the long haul versus open tubes like newtonians.
>
> All, in all, a very tough system to beat fr the bucks invested.
>
> I highly recommend buying the largest scope you can manage/carry, and/or
> transport.
>
> An 8" SCT (Either Meade, or Celestron) is a fine instrument, but
> quickly, you might find that this aperture scope is only just starting
> to wet your tastes/tongue, and you'll be longing for more aperture in a
> very short time.
>
> I suggest (if you're healthy, and don't mind managing the bulk) at least
> a 9-1/4"-11" Celestron, or 10"-12" Meade SCT.
>
> If you have higher goals, and figure you'll get decent use from these
> behemoths, then shoot the works and step up to the venerable C-14, or
> Meade 14".
>
> Do take into consideration though, that a scope not being used because
> it is too much trouble to put into operation, is a useless scope.
>
> Ultimately, you must make that decision yourself, as to what size scope
> will suit your needs.
>
> If you're unsure of what you really want, either try to attend some
> local star parties, or join a local astro club, so you can get your feet
> wet a bit, and make a sound decision what your personal needs will be,
> and too, how much $$$ that you are willing to invest. Mark
>


.

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