TheSkySearchers

Hey all,

I am at that stage now to get an Celestron 11" SCT. I will be mounting this on top of my Skywatcher EQ6-R (Mainly for Planetary and Lunar imagaing) I don't think my mount would handle DSO with it so I am going to go for the 11" XLT.

Now what should I look for and look out for if buying used? I see the Fiberglass ones going for around $1000-$1200, is that because they are older? And used XLT's going for around $1500

Now if you had the choice to buy a used 2-3 year old 11" XLT in great condition for around $1500 or brand new one for around $1800 what would it be? If you had the extra $300 to spare.

Also Has Celestron made any improvements for the brand new 11" SCT XLT? or would it be just the same as a 2-3 year old one model.

Thanks all

Is the used telescope still under warranty? Is the warranty transferable? I would not put out that much cash for a scope not under warranty. That's just me.

The optics and coatings will be the same between the two.
If the price difference is only $300USD I would get the new one with a full two year warranty.
Used should be a lower price than that.

Do you mean carbon fibre tubes? They are nice for imaging as the tubes do not expand or contract like aluminium tubes but they do take longer to cool.
$1000-1200USD is a more reasonable price for a used one only a few years old.

Thanks FractorDude and Lady Fraktor,


Those are good points and was considering the warranty would be better if it was only $300 or so more. As far as the carbon fiber tubes, I did see some that sold for around $1000-$1200 and was wondering why they were cheaper thinking it was a higher grade material and was wondering if it was because of the ago. I saw one that was 10 years old for about $1000 that sold. So if I saw a Carbon Fiber that is only a few years old for around that price, then I wouldn't mind the cool down if the scope seemed to be in nice condition.

But optical performance wise, are they pretty much the same except for the material and the carbon fiber better for expansion and contraction?


Thanks again

Unless it is a aplanatic version all of the standard SCTs will be the same quality.

Carbon fibre tends to expand/ contract less than aluminium and also in a more linear fashion.
Just be aware that the large carbon fibre tubes can take a looong time to acclimate depending on temperature differences.
There have been many tests done on this if you are bored and want to find them