Looking for a bit of advice

[dod]

Hi, I was wondering if I could pick your collective brains?

I'm looking at getting my first scope, and have been offered a used Meade ETX90 with autostar, along with a Celestron Neximage solar system imager, plus a couple of Celestron eyepieces and a barlow lens - £300 for the lot. Is this a good deal?

I had more or less fixed my sights on a Celestron SLT 127 from FLO, and planetary viewing is my main interest (at least at first - no doubt I'll be after a big dob in the long run). Obviously there's a chunk of difference in aperture between the Meade and Celestron, but looking at reviews etc. it seems the Meade may have better optics (and has a few extra things thrown in). Can anyone offer any views or advice on which may be the better option?

Thanks.

[Demonperformer]

If you were going for the 127, which is slightly more expensive, I personally would not swap for the etx90.

OK, a neximager is about £100, but you can do the same with a much cheaper alternative. The celestron e/ps would probably do for a start, but you would pretty soon want to upgrade to decent eps, and a decent second hand barlow lens will not break the bank.

FWIW, I would say go for the extra aperture.

[Hawklord]

You'll soon get aperture fever. Go for the bigger one. I've got an etx90, it's a great little scope but it leaves you wanting more. Presently it's my guide scope.

[dod]

Thanks guys, I was thinking the bigger aperture was the best way to go, but was distracted by the shiny extras. Cheers for the advice.