What kind of telescope?

Started by 356porschebob, 10/22/2018 07:05AM
Posted 10/22/2018 07:05AM Opening Post
Recently sold my 4 inch refractor and am looking for something larger but manageable size-wise.  At 73 I'm not up to lifting more than 45-50 pounds with gusto but....I'd like something capable of seeing galaxies.  I'm thinking a scope that can be disassembled/assembled for moving it around so that no part will be too heavy, or whatever else will give me the viewing power that doesn't require a crane.  Suggestions?
Posted 10/22/2018 07:19AM | Edited 10/22/2018 07:21AM #1
Originally Posted by Bob Forman
Recently sold my 4 inch refractor and am looking for something larger but manageable size-wise.  At 73 I'm not up to lifting more than 45-50 pounds with gusto but....I'd like something capable of seeing galaxies.  I'm thinking a scope that can be disassembled/assembled for moving it around so that no part will be too heavy, or whatever else will give me the viewing power that doesn't require a crane.  Suggestions?

Opinions vary but mine is that an 8" or even a 9.25" SCT meets all those needs.....add a focal reducer for when you want widefield deep sky viewing, take it off when doing the moon and planets.

IMO an SCT doesnt do anything excellent but it does everything quite well and doesnt require a heavy mount and is easy to heft and carry.

I am 64 and really enjoy my 11" SCT though that may be a bit bulkier than you want to mess with....

20" MidnighTelescopes f/5
8" f/16 Muffoletto Achro
Meade 6" AR6 f/8.0 Achro
Celestron C11
Parallax PI250 10" F/5 Newt
Vixen FL102S,NA140SS,R200SS
80mm Stellarvue Nighthawk with WO APOupgrade lens, 90mm f/16.67 Parallax Achro
LXD75/LX200, Mini-tower, GP-DX, CG5 ASGT, LXD650, GM-8, G11, GM-100, GM-150EX, GM-200 and a Gemini G40
4" portable AP convertable 44" or 70" pier
Stellarvue M7 Alt-Az, TSL7 Pier/Tripod
12.5" f/5 MidnighTelescopes DOB Swayze optics
Monroe GA
Posted 01/06/2019 08:54AM #2
Greg, Thanks for your advice.  I did end up getting an 11 inch Celestron SGT.  The heaviest part is the equatorial mount at 40 lbs.  I can lift the parts without problem.  I have had it for almost a month and am yet to have a clear night here in NW Washington State.  One of these days......
Posted 01/12/2019 01:57PM #3
Originally Posted by Bob Forman
Greg, Thanks for your advice.  I did end up getting an 11 inch Celestron SGT.  The heaviest part is the equatorial mount at 40 lbs.  I can lift the parts without problem.  I have had it for almost a month and am yet to have a clear night here in NW Washington State.  One of these days......

Enjoy!.....I can also highly recommend checking out binoviewers with that SCT.....I rarely use single eyepieces anymore.....

20" MidnighTelescopes f/5
8" f/16 Muffoletto Achro
Meade 6" AR6 f/8.0 Achro
Celestron C11
Parallax PI250 10" F/5 Newt
Vixen FL102S,NA140SS,R200SS
80mm Stellarvue Nighthawk with WO APOupgrade lens, 90mm f/16.67 Parallax Achro
LXD75/LX200, Mini-tower, GP-DX, CG5 ASGT, LXD650, GM-8, G11, GM-100, GM-150EX, GM-200 and a Gemini G40
4" portable AP convertable 44" or 70" pier
Stellarvue M7 Alt-Az, TSL7 Pier/Tripod
12.5" f/5 MidnighTelescopes DOB Swayze optics
Monroe GA