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[katodog]

I am tossing around getting some new equipment. I have it narrowed down to two possibilities. They would both be from Orion.

The first is the Celestron C6-RGT. 6" Refractor on the CG-5 Goto mount. $1099.00, surely more after a few accesories and shipping.

The second is the Atlas system with the Goto control. $1429.00 plus accesories and shipping.

The reasons are: I could get just a Goto mount and put my existing scopes on it, which would be perfect for me because I like my two scopes. The Atlas is a stronger mount, so it would handle more with less problem. This would cost more than the entire Celestron outfit, and both of my existing tubes would work on the CG-5 mount. This leads me to think that I should get the Celestron as I would be getting a Goto mount cheaper than the Atlas, with the added bonus of a 6" Refractor.

I am probably going to get the 17 amp Dynamo Pro, and some eyepieces. I've had my eye on the Expanse set and some of the Epic ED-2 for a while.

I know it seems like an easy decision, but I am curious to know what you guys would do???

[katodog]

Okay, now I've changed my mind. Again. Now the decision is between the Meade 6" LXD-75, or the Celestron 6" C6 R-GT.

All input is appreciated

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

Great that you are contemplating new equipment...it will of course, bring on days of clouds and rain.

The choice you have selected is a tough one. Here is my humble opinion of the two, but let's compare them side by side...

The Meade LXD and the Celestron RGT

If we could morph elements of both into one, that would be sweet.

Now, I am partial to refractors. I like the crisp images that they provide. With my favorite Adler Nikon Scope (90mm) and C.A. Steve's Orion (1000mm), the views are fantastic. But I also enjoy my reflector as it laughs off aberrations.

Let's see what the specs of both say:

Meade LXD

Celestron RGT

GOTO - No Goto on the Meade, but yes on the Celestron. I don't consider a goto necessary for observation, but it's nice to have the scope slew to faint objects or when lethargy sets in...

Finder scopes: Meade 6x30 - Celestron 9x50. Sometimes, a smaller powered FS is preferred, as it bites a larger part of the sky, but I detest straight through FS's. All finderscopes should have a right angle attached.

Only one eyepiece included, but I'm sure your arsenal already should be sufficient.

Focal Length - Now here is where a big difference could be a factor. The Meade has a FL of 762mm and the Celestron at 1200mm. The difference of 438mm is a lot. You will get a bigger image on the Celestron with the same powered eyepiece and contrast will be greater. But, nothing is free, as the image will be slightly dimmer than the Meade.

MOUNTS - They both have GEM's, but I like the beefyness of the Meade over the Celestron. The Meade has nine speed controls to slew your scope, which is cool., but the the Celestron only moves four degrees a second. Can seem like hours when you are trying to observe targets at different cardinal directions. A review on the Celestron pointed out: "fair amount of slop in the mount but I understand if you do certain "upgrades" you can take care of that. The only other thing I would comment on is quality control. The first one I received was a total wreck, and not caused by shipping. More things wrong with it than I can mention. Customer service handled it nicely and the second one was fine."

The Meade has a corrector lens in the front, which makes it a closed system. No internal currents to wait for. I have not used a scope like this, but it sounds interesting. I would like to compare two scopes of the same specs - One with a corrector lens and one without - and see the difference.

Joe's Conclusion:

Despite my preference in Refractors, I would go with the Meade LXD-75 Reflector in this shoot-out. It has many more features, seems more strudy and I think will perform nicely. And...the Meade is cheaper, which means you can get many more goodies!

I hope this assists you in your selection...and be sure to let us know of your choice... ;D

[katodog]

Thanks for your input. Joe.

I guess I should have made it more clear. I was talking about the Meade 6" Refractor on the LXD-75. I already have a 6" Newtonian.

The Meade I'm looking at is the Meade LXD75 AR-6AT 6" Achromatic Refractor



And just thinking about a new scope has brought clouds. Tonight is lousy, and from what I understand, the next couple of nights will be the same. At least I'm warming myself up to the idea of testing everything indoors for a couple of days first. Maybe I can fool any clouds into going away by the time I'm ready.

Of course, I have to buy the scope first.

Thanks.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

Refractor talk...now that's what I like!

Now, it would easier to compare the two from the retailers you have chosen, and the set-ups the OTA's come with, but let's continue.

Let's redo the comparisons between the two and see what we come up with...

The Meade and The Celestron

Meade LXD75 AR-6AT 6" Achromatic Refractor



Celestron C6-RGT. 6" Refractor

Finder Scopes: Nothing special here. Both about the same.

Focal Length: The Meade has just a slight advantage here, but only of 19mm.

Focal Ratio: Both f/8's

Mount: Both are GEMS, but the Meade appears to have a solid mount. The Celestron CG-5 mount seems a bit on the thin side, and probably will loosen sooner than later. Here is a alteration on the mount from cloudynights.com: www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=351. It points out frailties of the mount/legs well.

Lens Coating: The Meade says it's an Achromatic, ( BAK-7 objective) and the Celestron not.

GOTO: They are both gotos, but the Meade has Nine speed controls. Good feature. The Celestron only one...and a slow one at that. The Meade has the High-Precision Pointing (HPP) feature. For ultra-precise pointing, the HPP function puts objects in the center of the field of view. I like that. The Celestron does not. It also has an Illuminated polar alignment viewfinder.

Conclusion:

The Meade has a lot more features for a few more bucks. The Celestron, which probably is fine, (We have a 90mm at the Adler), I think the Meade wins out.

I would go for the Meade, both on the OTA and the Mount/Tripod....or separately.

DId I mention I like Refractors?...

[katodog]

Drumroll, please....

And the winner of the "Let's fry our brains to decide on a telescope" contest is...

The Meade LXD75 AR-6AT 6" Achromatic Refractor!!!!!!!

Now I just have to get my kevlar out so I can protect myself from you guys when I bring out all the clouds.

I wonder if the clouds are covered in the price of the scope, or do they charge extra for them?

Seems to me the decision wasn't that hard after all. Most of the reviews I've seen on the Celestron say the CG-5 is not all it's cracked up to be. Seems there is a bit of slop in it, and the tripod isn't that great. Some say the housings are thin, and the grease they use is not good for the scope's motion. Alot of people have had to disassemble and repack with better grease. I even came across a post that a guy had where he went through 3 different CG-5's before he got one that was good!

Well, now there isn't anything left to do but place the order.

Joe, if I ever get out to the Adler, I'll let you look at it. If you want to look through it, it will cost you!! ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

Wise choice grasshopper. . . #Thumbsup#

I think the Meade OTA and mount are a much better choice and you will avoid much of the failing that the Celestron might reveal. Aren't they Synta now anyway?

It will be nice to bring it down sometime for an Adler session or a Chicago Astronomer session. I'll look at it some, but if you let me look thru it, I'll treat you to an Adler skyshow...

Let us know when you receive it. Pics of the unpacking and initial set-up would be nice - to document the event.

[katodog]

I believe I will be ordering it today, but am not too sure when it will arive. I am ordering it from OpticsPlanet in Northbrook. I may drive over to pick it up, or have it delivered. I'm not too eager to see what UPS is going to do to it, so we'll see. I will definitely be taking pictures of it, from the box upon delivery, to the finished assembly.

I was only kidding about charging you to look through it. I wouldn't be that mean to deprive anyone of looking through it. I know how hard it is to wait for something as nice as this, so it would be hard to keep people away. Besides, I'm too nice. Unfortunately for you guys, my cousin gets first crack at it after me. He's let me use his scopes, so it's only fair.

It's a little difficult trying to find the time to get out to the Adler, and now I'll be starting a new job on Monday, so it's going to be harder. I keep trying to figure out when to come out, but either something comes up, or I end up being to tired to take the drive. Having to be at work at 6 in the morning never helps. Sooner or later I'll get out there. Maybe someday I can get some of you guys out here to the house. There's really not too much blocking the view, the tops of the houses are low enough to get some good views before everything disappears. I've never stayed out long enough for it to be a problem, anyway.

But anyway, when the scope arrives, I'll post some pics of it.

[katodog]

The scope has been ordered, but I can't pick it up because it is not in stock. They have to get it, so they're shipping it. At least Meade had it readily available, so it shouldn't take too long to get. No problem, though, I can wait. I've waited this long for a decent scope, a little longer shouldn't kill me.

Hopefully UPS will be gentle with my new baby, so I won't have to cry myself to sleep.

Oh, Santa Claus in the brown suit, please bring my baby to me safe and sound.

PS. Anyone looking for a Grade A++ business to deal with, it's definitely OpticsPlanet. www.opticsplanet.com/ Those guys were extremely helpful throughout the entire process, from answering my questions, to taking my phone call. The guy I talked to in customer service called me back in about two minutes after checking with Meade. They were top notch all the way. I'll definitely be checking them out again for more stuff. The only problem was the website is so full of stuff, you have to read a little bit to get to the right spot. But for an experienced web page hunter like me it was a piece of cake.