About NexStar 8-SE

willis

1. Can NexStar 8-SE used for long exposure?
2. Is the NexStar 8-SE's optical tube is the same as C8 OTA?
3. Can other telescope, say a 80mm refractor, be mounted on NexStar's mount?
Many thanks!

[ 本帖最後由 willis 於 2009-2-15 23:27 編輯 ]

oldfield

1. Theoretically yes, but you need to use a wedge, and with the lattitude of Hong Kong, it's not very favorable

2. Yes

3. Newer Nexstar mounts seems to have a removable saddle/dovetail, so the answer is yes.  But please check again.

willis

Thanks Oldfield!
   What about C8-GOTO?
http://www.scopehouse.com/Telescope_4.htm
I just find this product. It has 8" diameter, therefore it can resolve Saturn's ring in a reasonable detail.  It uses equitorial mount, therefore it can have long exposure . It equipped with computer, therefore it can help idiot like me to find celestial objects . But it must be very expensive  Probably over $13000.

oldfield

Logically you're correct, but for a 8" at f/10, even expert will find it pretty hard to do long exposure.  However, webcam planet imaging is going to be far easier and manageable even for beginners.

Of course, you can always use this mount with other shorter lenses to try out long exposure.

The C8 OTA alone should cost around 7K these days (unsure).

willis

原帖由 oldfield 於 2009-2-16 17:20 發表
Logically you're correct, but for a 8" at f/10, even expert will find it pretty hard to do long exposure.  However, webcam planet imaging is going to be far easier and manageable even for beginners.

...

Yes! u are right C8 costs u $7480. http://www.scopehouse.com/Telescope_5.htm#C6-OTA
If C8 is difficult to handle for a beginner, what about C6? Or do u have any suggestion?

[ 本帖最後由 willis 於 2009-2-16 18:46 編輯 ]

ericng

Grandeye has an recent offer on the C6 OTA which costs 3980. Real bargain.

The maximum magnification for an 6inch telescope can up to 300x that should be enough for beginner, moreover, it is more compatible compare to C8.

But certainly, under good sky condition, C8 quality is superior. I still remember almost 10 years ago, I had pushed the C8 up to 650x on saturn without any breakdown.

Cheers,

Eric

willis

原帖由 ericng 於 2009-2-16 21:03 發表
Grandeye has an recent offer on the C6 OTA which costs 3980. Real bargain.

The maximum magnification for an 6inch telescope can up to 300x that should be enough for beginner, moreover, it is more com ...

Apart from C8, do u have any experience of using other same grade 8" scopes? Say Meade's ACF scopes?

oldfield

Personally, I would say C8 is the best balance among portability, cost, optical quality and many other things you can name.

Of  course, remember that it's also the Jack of all trade but master of none.