Planet Killer Recommendations

I am contemplating selling my LX90. While it is a great scope, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on a scope that excels on planets? I am considering a 9.25GPS or C11GPS.

I know that I am probably asking a question that has an infinite amount of answers, but my primary focus would be visual use on planets. I would prefer to stay under $2K, but may be willing to do more for a complete computer system outfit.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
Clear skies,
Brock

Best planetary scopes I've seen without question are Zambuto-equipped Newtonians...

Here's Todd Gross's list of "Best Planetary Scopes" (I don't know why the name of the 1st scope was left out of his web site, but I suspect it was another Zambuto-equipped Starmaster):

1. 14.5"
2. 16"  & 18" Starmaster w. Zambuto and Pegasus optics 2. 12.5" Portaball from Mag1
3. 10" Teleport w. Zambuto optics
4. 8" Portaball with Zambuto optics
5. Takahashi FS-152mm & Currently Testing FCT150mm
5b. 6.1" D155 f/7 Astrophysics EDF
6. C-14 SCT (not 100% positive, needed better seeing to confirm, brief test only, use this with skepticism)
7. C9.25" SCT Celestron SCT
8. 7" Starmaster with Zambuto optics, and 7" Teleport with Zambuto optics
9. Ultima 2000 8" SCT
10. 5" Takahashi refractor FS128 & 5.1" Astrophysics EDF (planets not avail. when FC125 was used)
11. Intes MN56 Mak-Newt (5" f/6)

The Celestron 9.25 came out a very respectable #7. It probably represents the most bang for the buck.

I had a C9.25 with great optics, but only on very rare
occassions did it give killer views of planets.
Most of the time it was busy trying to cool-down.
To get a really nice image it needed (1) great seeing
and (2) stable outside temps, which don't happen very
often where I live in the mid-Atlantic region.

On the other hand my 8" Zambuto-equiped PortaBall with
fan gave killer images without fail, provided the
seeing was OK. Put it on a tracking platform and
you're all set.

I would also give very high marks to these
10" and 11" Zambuto-equiped StarMasters from
what I've seen. If the seeing is good, you're
certain of a nice view.

The C9.25 is more convenient for CCD imaging, of course.
An obvious solution would be to cut some holes in
the C9.25 and install some fans and air filters,
but I was chicken to do it. Too bad Celestron
hasn't caught on to this.

Hi,

The thread did get a bit carried away but you did mention $2K or a bit more and 2 SCTs. You won't go wrong with a NS 9.25 GPS. I own a NS 11 GPS and it's a keeper.

Take Care,

Jose Suro
Tierra Verde, Florida