Down to Two,(I think...)

[hosshead]

...yeah, I have been away for a bit doing a couple interviews with NWS now that school is out, but also have been researching scope choices.
I am down to two,(I think , lol), the Celestron 9.25 Edge hd vs the Celestron CPC1100 Starbright OTA
The 9.25 comes with the Advanced VX mount and tripod.
I believe they are both portable enough for me, of course that would depend on which tripod I might choose for the 1100.

So are the Edge optics superior enough to choose the smaller aperture? I suspect that the package that has all the kit might be a better starter.

But of course, like all newbs, I seek the advice and counsel of more seasoned minds than mine!

Your advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Lady Fraktor]

With the size difference it may be a bit difficult to say off-hand
but the aplanatic Edge optics are considered as better than the standard SC optics.

Personally if I was to get a SC I would get the Edge or Meade ACF.

[hosshead]

I am worried about what I have been reading about the Meade scopes.
I have been nearly obsessed with my telescope search so I have been reading EVERYTHING in my choice range.
Somewhere around the 10" range seems about right, need something that I can actually move without hiring a crane lol.
Had a chance at a 12" Meade LX200 from a university but I think it's too heavy and it is over 20 years old so I don't know that it's the best choice for me on my own.

The 9.25 and the 11 inch Celestrons are lighter and more portable.

[Lady Fraktor]

I am not sure what you have read about Meade but I have liked their offerings in the past.
The LX200 7" Mak is still one of the best Maksutov I have used. Meade mounts now...

If it was my choice I would get the 9.25" Edge, I am sure you would be quite happy with it.

[Bigzmey]

I am down to two,(I think , lol), the Celestron 9.25 Edge hd vs the Celestron CPC1100 Starbright OTA

A few years ago I had similar choices. I went first with plain 11", but it was too hard to handle for me. Not just weight, but in combination with bulk, it was hard to secure on the mount. So, I have returned the 11" and got 9.25" Edge - the largest SCT I can comfortably handle. Edge optics does make difference for both visual and AP.

[hosshead]

Bigzmey;
Thank you very much.
I see that you still have the 9.25 which says it all.
As a little guy, I find your remarks about portability and bulk really valuable.
Being pretty new to telescopy, I think it's worth purchasing the kit that bundles the computer guided mount, then upgrade my tripod next year.
Even with my little Celestron c90 I have gained a pretty powerful understanding of the value of a NOT wobbly mount/tripod rig!

[AstroBee]

Forget the Meade 12" LX200. It's a beast! Sure, you can probably handle it alone but it's not something you are gonna want to use often if you can't leave it set up permanently. And at 20 years old working at a university, it's probably seen it's better days.
I would go with the 9.25 but not on the AVX mount. Sure, it can handle it, but something like a iOptron CEM60 would do better. In my opinion, and I'm sure you will hear from others, the AVX is not enough mount for the 9.25" if you plan on doing imaging. For visual only, go for it.
The AVX is rated for a mox of 30lbs. Which means probably 20 for imaging at best. The 9.25 OTA weighs in at 21lbs. Add a guidescope, guide camera, main camera, filterwheel...you are looking at close to 30lbs.

[JayTee]

I own an AVX mount. Trust me, you don't want to load it up with the 9.25, even for visual. The mounts you should consider for this size scope are the following: Celestron - CGX. Sky-Watcher - EQ-6R.
iOptron - any of the 40 series mounts: the GEM, CEM, and the HEM.

Here is a link to a spreadsheet (a bit dated but still good) that has a lot of info.
viewtopic.php?t=1041

[AstroBee]

I own an AVX mount. Trust me, you don't want to load it up with the 9.25, even for visual.

It's really ashamed that a company like Celestron packages that as a combo. Just asking for trouble...

[hosshead]

I am already saving up for a better mount than the AVX.
I too wish there was a bundle of the 9.25edge with a better support.

I think The AstroBee has it right about beastly Meades... I am not building my personal observatory quite yet. The 9.25 seems like the right size for the Trusty Subaru.
I think I am seeing my choice right now as probably the 9.25 edge, get a better mount and pod next. This seems like the right start for the most versatility inside my budget.

[JayTee]

Have you considered this setup? It saves you a little bit of money and makes for a much faster setup for use. Plus this mount is useable for other OTAs when you get them after you get that "beefier" EQ mount for the 9.25.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... kZEALw_wcB

[Bigzmey]

I am already saving up for a better mount than the AVX.
I too wish there was a bundle of the 9.25edge with a better support.

I think The AstroBee has it right about beastly Meades... I am not building my personal observatory quite yet. The 9.25 seems like the right size for the Trusty Subaru.
I think I am seeing my choice right now as probably the 9.25 edge, get a better mount and pod next. This seems like the right start for the most versatility inside my budget.

Yes, unfortunately to keep the prices attractive most combos are overweighted as far as the mount capacity goes. The best approach is to buy OTA and mount separately.

[hosshead]

Thank you for even more information!
The Evolution thing looks interesting!
How does it compare to the flattening and coma limitation of the edge?

[AstroBee]

Have you considered this setup? It saves you a little bit of money and makes for a much faster setup for use. Plus this mount is useable for other OTAs when you get them after you get that "beefier" EQ mount for the 9.25.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... kZEALw_wcB

Maybe I'm wrong but aren't those two 9.25" scopes different? One is the Evolution 9.25 while the other is the EdgeHD 9.25.

[hosshead]

So here comes The Stupid Question;
Can I mount the Edge 9.25 on the rather heavy duty wooden tripod that I salvaged from the Meade 6" newt?
It is pretty sturdy but I think the 9.25 comes with a dovetail if purchased as OTA alone.

OR
I think I may wind up "hossying" up the money for the package that has the GEM ll tripod/mount... has the computer dealie and it seems like the tripod has been built more sturdily.

Means another couple paychecks but it's never bad to be patient.

[jrkirkham]

When I had to make that choice I ran into three things I had to take into consideration:

Use: photography or visual? From what I understand the Edge is better configured for photography. The field is flatter and the mirror can be locked so there isn't so much play. On the other hand those advantages are reduced when using the scope for visual use.

Cost: You will want a beefier mount to handle the weight. I ended up with a CGX. That jumps the cost. All the extras, such as a focal reducer, are much more expensive for the edge. You will probably want a focal reducer before you are finished.

Weight: I am 67. Weight was a big issue for me. In the end I got a SkyShed POD and mounted it permanently. The POD was a better investment than the telescope or the mount.

The choice is personal. I am an older guy. My dark sky location is only three miles from my house. I often open my telescope for guest viewing. I ended up mounting a small refractor piggyback for wider views. For me the 11" with a CGX mount worked. If I was 40 years younger, without access to a nearby dark sky I would get the 9.25 Edge, but with a beefier mount. If I had it to do over I would have a mount even beefier than the CGX. You can't go overboard on the mount. You are buying it for today's telescope, but you will be using it on tomorrow's telescope.

[hosshead]

Oh super thank you for your remarks, jrkirkham!

Yes.
This is how I am thinking about it.
I just have kind of a tight budget that can't yet afford to add more things in the very soon future.
And your remarks about considering life and a heavy telescope later on also MATTER.
I have noticed that one doesn't find used Edge 9.25's on ebay.
People must be keeping them.

I love having an informed decision to go forward with.

THANK YOU!

[AstroBee]

You don't want to be purchasing used astro gear off eBay.
Look at the CloudyNights classifieds or AstroMart. There is a small fee for the later.

[hosshead]

oh I hadn't heard of astromart nor looked for a classified section there on CS.
My mention of ebay was kind of a generic for Used equipment.

I will check both spaces, thank you!





*edited for stupid typo.

[hosshead]

omg.
astromart is making this WAAAY more complicated.

ack.