Thanks everyone

[Beardy30]

1 minute ago, Greymouser said:

I agree with John, the C5 is more versatile, as well as being very light. I have one, which I got with the omni EQ mount. ( only added £ 29 to the price of the OTA. )  I have not used the mount yet and use the tripod for a Sky Tee 2. I am pretty sure that you can use the .63 reducer with the C5, though have not done so yet, which gives me a F10 and a F 6.3 scope. I also have the  Evoulton ( C 9.25, )  mount, which I can highly recommend, though again another boost in budget, but better than the SE, I am told. You can get a Evo 5. 

Edit: I use the C5 on a AZGTi mount.

Sorry mate but as a newbie I’ve no idea what any of that means 😂

[johninderby]

See this thread about Celestron stopping supplying UK astro dealers.

 

[Greymouser]

10 minutes ago, Beardy30 said:

Sorry mate but as a newbie I’ve no idea what any of that means

It means you get two scopes for the price of one, if you buy the reducer as well. Good for planets and decent for DSO too.

You can still get the Celestron Omni XLT 127mm SCT Telescope, it seems.

Edit: Also, Grovers claim to have the 5SE in stock.

Edited April 10, 2020 by Greymouser

[johninderby]

Unfortunately it’s on a manual EQ mount without any drive motors. 🙁

Grovers doesn’t actually stock the 5SE but will have it drop shipped from the UK distrubutor.

Edited April 10, 2020 by johninderby

[Beardy30]

Yea I like the sky align system but thanks 

[Greymouser]

Yes the SLT is, but the tripod is very good and the mount only adds £26 to the cost of the tube.  ( The 5SE is claimed to be in stock in North Allerton too! ) 

Edited April 10, 2020 by Greymouser

[Beardy30]

Getting a 5se is no issue Plenty out there 

[johninderby]

2 minutes ago, Beardy30 said:

Getting a 5se is no issue Plenty out there 

Yes no problem getting one. Just have to order from a  high street shop etc. and they will have it shipped from the UK Celestron distributor directly to you. 

Edited April 10, 2020 by johninderby

[johninderby]

Oh dear. Just checked on the UK distributors website and they are showing out of stock.Some further investigation needed.

https://www.dhinds.co.uk/collections/telescopes/products/celestron-nexstar-5se-computerised-telescope

Edited April 10, 2020 by johninderby

[Beardy30]

Found a dealer who has the Celestron 6 SLT in stock same apature as the 6se which would give me the capability for DSO ..mounts obviously not as sturdy but he’s advised it’s absolutely a fine set up for back garden observing and it’s £200 less than the 6se ..sounds an attractive option 

[Cosmic Geoff]

I own the 127mm Mak SLT and also a larger SE.

The SLT mount is pretty light weight and basic and not suited to anything other than visual observation.  I still use the Mak (yes!) and sometimes the SLT mount on a wooden tripod but have not put together the  original setup for ages.  This mount will be no better with the 5 SCT or 6 SCT mounted on it.

If you can afford the 5SE or 6SE you get a more substantial mount.  The 6SE mount is the same as supplied with the C8 SE and is an adequate mount for visual use and a bit of planetary imaging etc (though for serious imaging you would want a better mount).

You can also buy the C5 and C6 on an AVX German equatorial, and the C6 on an Evolution mount at interesting prices.  Somwthing seems implied here about the quality of the OTA and the adequacy of the SLT mount...

[Beardy30]

Just wondering if the Celestron Nexstar  6SLT would be a better option than the 5se?? More light gathering but lighter mount ..could always add a new eight to the accessories tray 

[John]

If you go for and SLT or a Nexstar this website is a mine of information on them. The SLT scopes are covered in the "Odds and Ends" section:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/index.html

 

[Beardy30]

Brilliant cheers John