Next Scope after 127 Mak

[anuvid]

I've just sold my Celestron 127 SLT Mak. It was a great first goto scope, but my son (aged 8 soon) is ready for the next level. A mixture of astrophotography (DSOs preferably) and visual. My local specialist steered me away from HEQ5Pro or HEQ6 mounts, and steered me towards a Celestron 6SE. This is on the basis that we sometimes have clear skies for short period here, and the 127 Mak is about the quickest goto scope to setup and even that was a painm, so having to pick up something 5 times the weight, polar align it, then three star align it. Well, I can see what he's saying. He says the 6SE is a good next step, and some photography will be possible using a focal reducer. The 8SE is a leap up in weight, and he said as soon as we go to that money, the Celestron CPC range with its dual forks would be the logical next step.

Your advice would be appreciated. And if anyone's selling a 6SE I'd be interested. I am a little worried that it won't be much of a leap from the 127MAK.

[LukeSkywatcher]

The 127SLT is a 5" scope. The 6SE is a 6" scope. Not too big of a step there. The 8SE really is not that big of a beast. Its very light for its size and is very portable. Yes it is an expensive scope but it will last you and your son years.

If i were you i would consider the 8SE as a long term purchase rather then just a stepping stone to something bigger. The CPC range of scopes are absolute beasts.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[hemihaggis]

a 127 mak is just as good as a 6se if not better in my opinion , you will regret selling it !!

i made the jump yo a ten inch scope after the 127 ...and to be honest i dont see that its all that much better .

the 127 maks are awsome , you will have to go some to gewt better ...at least an 8"

[LukeSkywatcher]

Thats 2 votes for an 8".

[Nosivad]

I have a 6SE and I doubt there is much difference between that and the 127 Mak.

If you have the necessary dosh I suggest going for the 8SE, second hand if you can find one. The GOTO is good, but the telescope is not great for astrophotography as the mount is alt-az. The weight of the 8SE is not much more than the 6SE.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I have a 6SE and I doubt there is much difference between that and the 127 Mak.

If you have the necessary dosh I suggest going for the 8SE, second hand if you can find one. The GOTO is good, but the telescope is not great for astrophotography as the mount is alt-az. The weight of the 8SE is not much more than the 6SE.

The SE range does not claim to be good for AP but visually is great.

As i said if you can afford the 8se..................that is the way to go.

Trust me............the jump between 5" and 8" is huge.

I have just gone from a Skywatcher Heritage 130P and a Celestron 8se.

WOW.

[M4lcs67]

When funds allow then I was considering an 8" SCT. The extra 3" of apeture will be invaluable over time and I have been keeping a close eye on these types of threads recently.

I have only had my 127 SLT for about 6 months so it is immaculate. How and where did you sell yours and what did you get for it?

The word is that the tripod on the 8" is leagues better than that of the 127 SLT.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Honestly................you have only had your 127 for 6 months.

Keep it......................get to know it. Learn to use it to the max.

[PreludeToADream]

Honestly................you have only had your 127 for 6 months.

Keep it......................get to know it. Learn to use it to the max.

This is true. The 127 is a great 'scope.

When you do want to upgrade I'd go for the 8SE over the 6SE as there's not much performance difference between the Mak and the 6SE.

[LukeSkywatcher]

This is true. The 127 is a great 'scope.

When you do want to upgrade I'd go for the 8SE over the 6SE as there's not much performance difference between the Mak and the 6SE.

Agreed

[Sarah]

Visually an 8" SCT will be a lovely scope. And it would be very good for webcam imaging the moon and planets. But not so great for DSO astrophotography. You really need an EQ mount rather than the SE mount for long exposure astrophotography, either the HEQ5 or EQ6 are usually recommended. Also the longer focal length of the SCT, even with a reducer, makes imaging more difficult too. If you are interested in DSO astrophotography, I would recommend you read this book before making any purchases. If you decide that visual and possibly webcam imaging will be sufficient, then the 8SE should be a good upgrade. I agree with the others that the 6" SE wouldn't be much better than your 127 Mak.

[rowan46]

you need an eq mount to image dso's. this one is not much of a step up visually but it's a similar price to the 6se is capable of imaging and not quite as big a beast as the heq5 or eq6 it's an f5 so it's easier to image with

First Light Optics - Celestron C6-N GT (GOTO)

[Karen]

a 127 mak is just as good as a 6se if not better in my opinion , you will regret selling it !!

i made the jump yo a ten inch scope after the 127 ...and to be honest i dont see that its all that much better .

the 127 maks are awsome , you will have to go some to gewt better ...at least an 8"

That's why I aint selling mine. Although I find all the levelling. aligning and synscan setup a bit of a chore the planetary views it gives are terrific.

[Dunkster]

anuvid: I have both and to my eyes they're , but of course that could be an artefact of viewing conditions. I haven't yet had a sufficient session to compare like for like.

The thing I like about the 6SE is that it's still small and light enough to pick up with one hand and put away, but there is some additional rigidity in the structure that means you don't have to take deep breaths when focussing

The 127 is a great scope. So is the 6SE. I should probably sell one of them

But I agree with all the posters so far, go for an 8 or better.