Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

C8 ??

nightfisher

Recommended Posts

nightfisher

nightfisher

Posted
Posted

For a long time i have been toying with culling out most of my scopes, you will have seen me post about this before  "just one scope"

It has occurred to me a celestron C8 could well fit the bill, My astro needs are well known but i need a scope to first of be very good for Lunar and planet observing and imaging, good for a a small amount of deep sky observing, but this is less important, and be able to do some white light,

Also has to work well on the HEQ5 AND the AZ4 mount, i spoke to a learned friend about my needs and he suggested a C8 as being a very good all rounder (cheers Phil)

So come on people, lets have your opinions on this idea  :grin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 38
  • Created
  • Last Reply
hobsey

hobsey

Posted
Posted

Good choice. I love my C8, just wish it got more use.

Its the one scope I will never get rid of.

As for the HEQ5 tripod and AZ4 mount, it will work very well. I use the CG5 and AZ4 combo with mine as the AZ4 tripod is too low even with legs fully extended and ended up kneeling on the floor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nightfisher

nightfisher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good choice. I love my C8, just wish it got more use.

Its the one scope I will never get rid of.

As for the HEQ5 tripod and AZ4 mount, it will work very well. I use the CG5 and AZ4 combo with mine as the AZ4 tripod is too low even with legs fully extended and ended up kneeling on the floor.

Hobsey, so you are happy with the c8 on the AZ4 mount but set up on the CG5 tripod?, i happen to have a 2" cg5 tripod

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Chris Hopson

Chris Hopson

Posted
Posted

Good choice. I love my C8, just wish it got more use.

Its the one scope I will never get rid of.

As for the HEQ5 tripod and AZ4 mount, it will work very well. I use the CG5 and AZ4 combo with mine as the AZ4 tripod is too low even with legs fully extended and ended up kneeling on the floor.

Agreed, AZ4 is quite low, I've had to bring out the drum stool again. If you like sitting, than its ideal!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dixie

Dixie

Posted
Posted

I've had my C8 for 20 years - it spends some of the time on its original forks and often decants onto an NEQ6 for imaging.   It is the one scope that will never be sold - I keep coming back to it. Perfect compromise between aperture and portability.   I do DSO, bit of imaging and webcaming.  Even thinking of getting a second OTA so I can leave the C8 on the forks.  Be surprised if you regret going in this direction.

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

This is the only problem, the idea would be to cull the herd, but i dont want to be with out the TAL

How about your new Vixen Jules, is that going too?

I reckon a C8 would suit your needs quite well, although cool down and dewing on the front plate are worth considering.....

Stu

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nightfisher

nightfisher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

How about your new Vixen Jules, is that going too?

I reckon a C8 would suit your needs quite well, although cool down and dewing on the front plate are worth considering.....

Stu

No Stu, i will be keeping the Vixen, regardless of this outcome, its my little grab an go scope. I have already figured a c8 would need a good dew shield............this may not happen but i have been wanting to go down this route for a good while, but if i keep the TAL, the Vixen and get a c8 i will have at least 3 scopes, this sort of defeats the whole purpose

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

No Stu, i will be keeping the Vixen, regardless of this outcome, its my little grab an go scope. I have already figured a c8 would need a good dew shield............this may not happen but i have been wanting to go down this route for a good while, but if i keep the TAL, the Vixen and get a c8 i will have at least 3 scopes, this sort of defeats the whole purpose

How many do you have at the moment Jules?

Three scopes seems like a very sensible number to me, what's driving the desire to get down to one?

I really don't think it is a good idea, you will always find one does not do everything eg when you just want a quick session or don't have time to cool the C8, the Vixen or TAL are ideal........and you always 'need' a frac anyway :-)

C8, TAL and Vixen, there you go :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nightfisher

nightfisher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

How many do you have at the moment Jules?

Three scopes seems like a very sensible number to me, what's driving the desire to get down to one?

I really don't think it is a good idea, you will always find one does not do everything eg when you just want a quick session or don't have time to cool the C8, the Vixen or TAL are ideal........and you always 'need' a frac anyway :-)

C8, TAL and Vixen, there you go :-)

I have six scopes including a little soligor 90mm f5 mak that i dont use, they are dotted all over the house, and i dont get much chance to use any of them, hard to decide what to do

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

I am given to wonder what the Tal shows that the VMC110 does not show. The field might be wider in the TAL, but it is not exactly a wide-field scope. A short, quality frac like my little APM 80 F/6 complements the long focal length catadioptrics much better than a long frac

Very true Michael, although I don't think Jules is a widefield man so perhaps prefers the TAL?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

I have six scopes including a little soligor 90mm f5 mak that i dont use, they are dotted all over the house, and i dont get much chance to use any of them, hard to decide what to do

So... keep the TAL and Vixen, lose the rest and get a C8, job done :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nightfisher

nightfisher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So... keep the TAL and Vixen, lose the rest and get a C8, job done :-)

This is doable, i plan to use the Vixen for white light solar imaging, i long felt the TAL strength is as a visual tool which it excels at

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RobertI

RobertI

Posted
Posted

I love my C8 and have had it for 15 years. I love the combination of power, portability and versatility. My main complaints are dew problems on the corrector plate (dew shield and dew strap often required), cool down time (worse problem during winter) and mirror shift when focussing at very high magnifications.

I've always thought the Vixen VMC200L ought to be a better option than the C8 as in theory it has less dew problem (no corrector plate), faster cool down time (as it is open tube) and no mirror shift as it has a rack and pinion focusser (although potentially results in reduced range of focus).

Can anyone confirm the theory? If correct the the VMC200L might be a better bet that the C8 as an all round scope???

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Peter Drew

Peter Drew

Posted
Posted

I would still prefer the C8 over the 200L as the C8 issues you describe can be addressed. The open tube of the Vixen will mean that the primary will eventually need recoating for which the mirror will need removing, not a job for the faint hearted on this system.  :smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.