[Chaos-l] telescope recommendations

[E. Allen Davis]

Yes...the Mak is better for very specific uses.  I had the Meade 7" Mak and it was very good optically but not the best overall design.  Good for mostly planet and double stars.......not deep sky. allen

E. Allen Davis
 starstorm151 at embarqmail.com

 "M'Illumino              "I am enlightened
 D'Immenso"              by the immensity."

   -Ungaretti               -Ungaretti

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark South" <md_south at mac.com>
To: "Mark Lerch" <mark.lerch at quest.com>
Cc: "Chapel Hill Astronomical Observation Society" <chaos-l at rtpnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2009 3:47:19 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [Chaos-l] telescope recommendations

Ditto with Mark Lerch. I've owed a Mak and hated it. It's ok for  
planets and double stars but I prefer refractors and newtonian dobs.
Mark south

Sent from my cell phone

On Oct 1, 2009, at 2:35 PM, Mark Lerch <mark.lerch at quest.com> wrote:

> Jeff-
>
> My personal view after owning SCT's and Dobs for many years would be  
> to avoid the 8" Meade/Celestron Schmidt Cassegrains. There is just  
> so much they don't offer. If you really must have a Meade, I like  
> Robert's suggestion.
>
> I've never owned a Mak, but unless you're planning to get into  
> serious astrophotography (which sounds nice on paper but is a whole  
> different science unto itself), I don't think they offer much either.
>
> That leaves Newtonians, which are awesome for both visual observing  
> and astrophotography as well. You can get a 'starter' scope which  
> you may find yourself pulling out 15 years from now, no matter how  
> much you grow in the hobby.
>
> As you know, "the best scope is the one you will use the most often."
>
> I can't recommend enough Robert's suggestion of going to the Mid  
> Atlantic Star Party the week after next. It is by FAR the best way  
> to answer your question for yourself. Look at all the scopes, talk  
> to the owners, you will learn so, so much, and it's real  
> information, not marketing hype.
>
> The astronomy community is one of the best aspects of our hobby, and  
> the best way to experience it is to go to a star party. If you  
> haven't been to one - go!
>
> Mark
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org]  
> On Behalf Of Jeff Wright
> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:44 PM
> To: Chapel Hill Astronomical Observation Society
> Subject: [Chaos-l] telescope recommendations
>
>
> I am thinking of buying a new starter scope, something in the $1000 or
> less range, that I can also use as a decent portable scope at dark
> sites. I have found a few Maksutov models in the 5" range that look
> fine. I am leaning toward a Meade or Celestron, just because of  
> previous
> experience with them, but am open to other suggestions.
>
> Anyone have any experience they can share? Thoughts on 5" scopes in
> general? I have considered going with an 8", but of course, now we are
> talking $2000.
>
> BTW, I don't mind manual polar-alignment either.
>
> Also, any recommended dealers/web-sites? I am familiar with ORION, but
> don't have experience buying from anyone else.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jeff
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