Deathmatch!!

[nicnac]

Skywatchers Skymax 180 pro on EQ5 Vs Celestron 8SE !!

The winner gets prize of place on my home

chuck in your two pennies people !!

[Dangerous-Dave]

Depends on what you want to use it for. The C8 will be a better all rounder but Maksutov optics will give you sharper views of the moon and planets. I would go for the 180 personally. Check out Kostas Kalimaftsis's images taken with the 180.

[GazOC]

I think Daves nailed it.....

[tinvek]

pulls up a seat and puts this on in the background

[nicnac]

i found some of the posted reviews on the celestron Nexstar 8SE, they read well as the general all-rounder (good for me as wont have to shell out on two scopes) and i have noticed they can be "upgraded" pretty well. Any views??

[TheThing]

Celestron comes out the winner!

[chuenmanc]

If you weren't planning on doing any imaging, then the alt-az mounting of the Celestron would be better in my opinion. Neither scope is exactly good at widefield viewing, but the Celestron will be less bad. Also the mak may well taker longer to cool down to ambient temperature due to its thick front lens.

I think Dave had it right - if you are mainly interested in moon and planets, then the optics of the mak would come out ahead a little, but note that the equatorial mount will be heavier and take longer to set up.

[nicnac]

Not overly fussed about imaging at this moment in time although i have seen some images on the net from the Celestron and they are not that shabby.

The Meade ETX125 PE is looking like a contender, cheaper too, not that im a skinflint!!

[Peter Drew]

Get an 8se and put it on a EQ5, best of both worlds!

[alfingido]

Get an 8se and put it on a EQ5, best of both worlds!

Or, even better, an HEQ5.....