OLD QUESTION.. Meade Vs. Celestron GPS

When I last owned an SCT a couple of years ago after
reviewing many (see www.weatherman.com) I was pre-GPS, and felt that Meade had the better hardware, Celestron the
better optics. (super impressed by my Ultima 2000 and C9.25, not impressed with two 8" Meade LX200s, and a 10" OTA

Have things changed?

Opinions please and sorry for the newbie question from an olbie.


Todd

Todd,

I can't comment on Meades, but I bought a 9.25GPS last year (My 1st big scope)

Recently the Alt clutch broke and has to go back for repairs, but I'm still impressed with the scope. The carrying handles are super, and I love the overall package, especially the optics.

BTW, I spent literally hours upon hours on your website when I was trying to learn the differences between scopes/designs and performance.

Thank you for all the work (Ok, it sounds like a boatload of fun) you put into those reviews.

Cheers,
Steve

I can state that either scope is good. The Celestron is more ergonomic in design, easier to carry and set up, the controller is easier to understand the funtions. Go-To is very good and the optics are excellent. I own the NS8GPS and am very pleased with it. It can not keep up with my larger DOBs, but for 8" it is superb.
The Meade looks darn nice and very solid, harder to set up and hang, a bit heavier, harder to use the controller and does not seem to be quite as good in the optical department. But, some of them are very good. So I guess I would say inconsistant in quality.
The newer ones of either are pretty nice. Some of the older Meades, 12" in particular that I have used were not that great.
Not trying to start any wars here, just stating my experience and opinions about these scopes.
Floyd