8" Celestron 8SE or Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope?

[Power Ranger]

After 20 years, I sold my Celestron Nexstar 5i. Now shopping for a new scope, I've narrowed it down to either the Nexstar 8SE or a 10" Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope. I'm not willing to spend more than $2000 (tax incl) for backyard viewing and with no interest in astrophotography. A computerized Goto is a must as I like to spend my hour(s) viewing rather then searching for DSO's. Both SE and XT10i are similarly priced with SE costing a bit more. If I get the 8SE, I don't plan to upgrade the SE mount to a GEM. If it's the XT10i, I'm leaning towards the upgraded dual fine tuning focuser.

Q: Mathematically the 10" should show a lot more details to an 8" aperture, however in reality, will there really be a "Wow " factor in viewing Messier objects?
Q: Those who own Dobsonians, how often do you need to colliminate your light bucket?

Opinions/comments welcomed

[Ylem]

I had a 10" inch Dob (non go-to/push to) I sold it and went to an 8se. I'm pretty happy with that choice.

The Dob gave me a wider field, but the SCT is more comfortable to view thru.

The 8se is easier for me to get out of the house and set up over the Dob. This is due to the layout of my house and the stairs.

So I would ask myself which would be better at my house.
Do you have stairs?
Could you store the Dob in a nice clean garage?
What type of chair would you use with the Dob?
The EP does not move as much with the SCT so a lawn chair can work.
I use a rocking chair from the porch, it allows me to move slightly for comfort.

There is no one perfect scope of course, and YMMV

[Lady Fraktor]

The dobsonian will let you dig deeper if you are chasing faint fuzzies.

[Bigzmey]

10" will gather ~56% more light than 8", not a drastic but quite noticeable improvement for faint DSOs.

However, the best scope is the one which gets used and 8SE will be much easier to store, move and deploy. It will still be a significant step up from 5" and will show you hundreds of targets from your backyard.

[JayTee]

Additionally, the 8SE gives you quite a few more avenues of use than does the XT10i.

For example, the XT10i is basically a visual-only scope. I know you said you have no interest in AP, but never say never! So, the 8SE is good for visual and planetary/lunar AP. Solar viewing and AP (a smaller aperture is just easier in regards to the sun). Also, collimating before each session won't be necessary for the 8SE.

Hope this helps (maybe not).

Cheers,
JT

[AntennaGuy]

After 20 years, I sold my Celestron Nexstar 5i. Now shopping for a new scope, I've narrowed it down to either the Nexstar 8SE or a 10" Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope. I'm not willing to spend more than $2000 (tax incl) for backyard viewing and with no interest in astrophotography. A computerized Goto is a must as I like to spend my hour(s) viewing rather then searching for DSO's. Both SE and XT10i are similarly priced with SE costing a bit more. If I get the 8SE, I don't plan to upgrade the SE mount to a GEM. If it's the XT10i, I'm leaning towards the upgraded dual fine tuning focuser.

Q: Mathematically the 10" should show a lot more details to an 8" aperture, however in reality, will there really be a "Wow " factor in viewing Messier objects?
Q: Those who own Dobsonians, how often do you need to colliminate your light bucket?

Opinions/comments welcomed

The XT10i is not a go to. It is a push to. You might have meant the XT10g, which is a go to.

[jrkirkham]

If you have had a Nexstar 5i for 20 years you may already have an idea of what you are looking for, or you wouldn't have sold it. No telescope does everything and no telescope usually meets your needs forever. I have both OTAs. If I am studying the planets and want to stay on track while beefing up the magnification I like the tracking capabilities of the Celestron. If I am looking for DSOs and finding new things I have never found before I like the Intelliscope. It feels much brighter to me. No matter how you slice it I like a larger aperture for visual work and the tracking capabilities for close study. It's a trade off. Which is most important?

[aae0130]

You are in or near Toronto so you do not have pristine skies. The larger faster optic may let you detect more.

I had an 8se for 8 years in a climate that sees cold winters. The amount of time I wasted waiting for the closed tube SCT to reach equilibrium was torture. The dob, though larger, is an open tube and will settle faster theoretically.