Advice needed please

[Rob1956]

I have narrowed my selection of scopes down to two now and would like your thoughts on which is better suited for me. I am like most people and want to be able to do it all planetary and deep space but realize that I cannot have it that way. For now I would do more planetary shots than deep space and want to be able to do meteor showers (not even sure you can do meteor showers with a scope). I have to be able to take the scope with me to where I would shoot from (I live in the heart of Mtn. Home streetlights everywhere around me). Okay Mtn. Home is not a big city but in three out of four corners of my lot neighbors have security lights. The shortest drive would be about an hour with 10 miles of dirt roads. I would like to be able to take to the bluffs with me which are about a two mile hike in and out.

• Celestron 8" Newtonian Advanced VX Telescope (might consider 6”)

• Celestron 8" SCT Advanced VX Telescope

Here are a few accessories that I plan to get also

• Celestron 12V 17AH Power Tank DC Power Supply

• Celestron SkySync GPS Accessory

• Celestron Eyepiece & Filter Accessory Kit

• And of course case and t adapter.

I am open to all and any suggestions; budget has to stay under $2.5k

[Pig]

With that much cash involved Im sure you could buy a stke the hubble

I d not know enough to assist you. However I am sure there are penty on her that can - Good Hunting.

[mdstuart]

I suspect the sct will have a longer focal length and hence smaller field of view but a high effective magnification for imaging..so maybe this might impact your choice...sct for planets and newt for dsos?

must say I am a visual guy but I am sure someone will correct me if I am not right..

mark

[rowan46]

by meteor shots I assume you mean photography your best bet for that is a wide angle lens on a dslr mounted directly to a gem or tracking platform. The celestron 8 sct will be fine for planets but you are not going to hike very far with an 8inch sct, celestron vx, power pack etc.

[Rob1956]

Thanks rowan46 kinda figured that meteor shots would still be with my dslr but thought it would really look cool if they could be caught on a scope, guess I will just need to invest in some faster glass this year.

I kinda also figure that what I want in a scope would be a major pain to carry out to the bluffs but one can dream. The main info I am after is photograpphy with the scope I love the night sky and want to share it with others. Most of my co-workers think I am nuts I went camping in below freezing weather for a chance to shoot the Quadrantids only to have cloud cover move in. I did however end up with great shots of the elk herd.lol

[rowan46]

If you are after deep space photography you are better off with a fast refractor than an sct