TheSkySearchers

Been getting the itch to get a scope, and I figure I had better scratch it before it goes away ! Was almost settled on a Meade 10" but I think on second thought that is too much scope for me, I would be limiting my viewing due to its bulk. Now bouncing around between meade and celestron 8" models, then meade models lx90 vs lx 200. Now I see a couple celestrons being offered for sale [used] locally, so now I am considering those.

One is a Celestron CPC 800 GPS XLT being offered for $1,700 the other a Celestron CPC 925 Fastar for $1,550. Might seem like a no brainer but the guy with the 800 has a boatload of accessories to go along with it, lenses, barlows, filters, eye pieces, 2" adapter, solar filter, cases ect. My viewing I think would be mostly planets but I might get into some AP, so is one better suited for that ? I'm a gadget fiend and I assume both can be controlled wifi ? OTA alone, I am assuming the 925 is Superior with its larger optcs ? Any pros/cons to both or either would be appreciated.

Here is a list of the extras included with the 800, along with the original accessories.
*Meade 1.25” 9.7mm Super Plossl Eyepiece
*Meade Model 140 1.25” 2x Apochromatic Barlow Lens
*Celestron 2” Eyepiece and Filter Kit (#94305) which includes:
26mm Eyepiece
32mm Eyepiece
40mm Eyepiece
2x Barlow Lens
#80A Blue Filter
#58A Green Filter
#25 Red Filter
#21 Orange Filter
#12 Deep Yellow Filter
90° Star Diagonal
2" Diagonal Adapter for Refractor OTAs
Hard Shell Carrying Case
*Celestron 2” UHC / LRP Filter
*Telrad Finder Sight
*Celestron Universal Camera Piggyback Mount (#93609)
*Astrozap Full Aperture Solar Filter
*Astrozap Dew Shield
*PC Serial Port to Telescope Adapter Cable
*Hard Shell Carrying Case for Accessories

If AP and a reflector interests you and you want 8" minimum aperture, how about a Celestron AVX with the 8" Newtonian. It's only a little over $1200. Then upgrade with better eyepieces than in that kit. I have the 6" version and it's good enough for me. Whatever you choose, enjoy yourself and Clear Skies.

Between the two models I would definitely go with Celestron CPC 925 Fastar for $1,550. The accessories included with CPC 800 are of mediocre quality. You will be better off buying them one at the time and only what you need.

CPC 925 not just has larger aperture but also better quality optics. This is a great telescope for visual observing. But if you are thinking about astrophotography the package with EQ mount will be more suitable.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/com ... cope-12026

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:30 pm Between the two models I would definitely go with Celestron CPC 925 Fastar for $1,550. The accessories included with CPC 800 are of mediocre quality. You will be better off buying them one at the time and only what you need.

CPC 925 not just has larger aperture but also better quality optics. This is a great telescope for visual observing. But if you are thinking about astrophotography the package with EQ mount will be more suitable.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/com ... cope-12026

Agreed. Never met an accessory kit I ever liked.

All of the scopes you are considering are on Alt-Az mounts and as such are not well suited for long exposure imaging due to an effect called "field rotation". All of them will need to be mounted onto a "Wedge" to simulate an EQ alignment. This is less than an optimal solution for long exposure imaging. If you do not plan on long exposure imaging then I would go with CPC925.

Mind you, all of these scopes are superb for both visual use and planetary/lunar imaging. Others will claim that the Fastar system lets you take in image in such a short amount of time that field rotation becomes a moot point. Not exactly true, plus you will have the limitations imposed by having to take dozens and dozens of short exposure images to arrive at an acceptable finished product based on the size of the aperture. Can it be done, sure, but it is not the optimal solution for long exposure AP. I know because I've tried it with my CPC1100.

Now if you go with OTAs alone in a quest for long exposure AP, this will impose significant financial hardships. All of the OTAs will require an EQ mount with a payload capacity of 40lbs, minimum. The way we get to that number is to take the weight of the OTA plus all the other imaging gear (guide scope, guide camera, imaging camera, rings, cables, etc, just NOT the counterweights) and double that number. So if all your imaging gear adds up to 25lbs, you'll need an EQ mount that can handle 50lbs of payload. Mounts in this class will cost over $2,500 (closer to $3,000).

Large aperture AP is not for the faint at heart when it comes to laying out cash!

Cheers,
JT

Thanks for the input, I think I'll stay away from any serious AP for now, too steep of a learning curve and more $$ than I am willing to part with.

The 925 is no longer available, I think I'll be better off doing research next few months and at least wait for spring, dead of winter would not be the optimal time for a new scope.

Xray wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:32 am Thanks for the input, I think I'll stay away from any serious AP for now, too steep of a learning curve and more $$ than I am willing to part with.

The 925 is no longer available, I think I'll be better off doing research next few months and at least wait for spring, dead of winter would not be the optimal time for a new scope.

Doing a bit of research is a good idea. In the mean time I would suggest to get a pair of good binoculars and start learning/enjoying the skies.

He dropped the price of the 800 to $1,400

It's now kind of a toss-up. At $1400 it brings it down into the, "maybe I should consider this" area. You can get a new CPC 800 on Amazon for $1620. His accessory kit is really just a standard Celestron eyepiece and filter kit which is not all that great. Plus some extra doodads which add probably about a hundred bucks of value. The big question is, can you go there and inspect the scope in person if not, I would probably say pass and just go with the new one.

Just my thoughts on the subject,
JT

Well I'm not set on a CPC 800 by any means but I would be tempted with a great deal, don't want to go off half cocked though. Would be a 120 mile round trip, sure wouldn't look forward to that drive. I would like the finest optics $$ can buy for under $2k or so.

I hear you. The great thing about going with new equipment is that it is delivered to your door and it is under warranty.

Cheers,
JT