Nextstar 5i and 8i discussion

[Airconvent]

This thread was created due to some interest (including John Teh and myself) on Nexstar 5 and 8 series gotos. I left out Nexstar 4 as its not a true celestron product (derived from the tasco starguide).

The 5i is both sexy, small and compact and if I had to buy a first scope and did not require the great optics and the upgradable autostar of the ETX, I would have gotten this scope instead. (of course price was also another consideration!). I've never really studied the scope in action as owners like Yuwei are quite eulsive here!

But now with an urge to upgrade my aperture, the incremental change from 4" (ETX105) to 5" is not great enough, so I'm aiming for the Nexstar 8i instead. Currently scouring astromart for some deals that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

Many people have discouraged me from getting the 1 fork arm nexstar due to its poor DSO imaging capability. This is not a critical factor for me as I am using it more for visual.

John : Since you have a vehicle, then if I were you, I would have paid the extra and moved to the 8" instead! The images from 8" is simply breathtaking! if not too late, should call the retailer to upgrade!!
whatever it may be, do call me when you go for your first light!


rich

[johnteh]

Do you think it is worth it?
Because me myself also considered for some time as difference only a few hundred dollars.
So what do you think, get a 5i, 8i or meade LX200 GPS?
As what you said having some aperture fever now. I have never viewed through a 5" or 8" before. I have been using me first scope Vixen 102mm
and i think it has shown me alot OF THINGS already so i just can't wait to use a 5" or 8".

John Teh

[weixing]

Hi,
I think you should go for the 8". The view of the 5" and your Vixen 102 should not be much difference... the only advantage of the 5i is that the colour correction will be better, but the Vixen 102M may be have better contrast than the 5i, since Vixen 102M don't have the central obstruction.

Have a nice day.

[harlequin2902]

Do you think is worth it?

Hi John,

Of course it is ! Don't forget that ultimately, aperture rules in visual astronomy. Furthurmore, if you drive up to Malaysia often, your scope will be very well utilized and well worth the investment. And over there, the sky's the limit, so the larger a scope you have when you're under those skies, the better

(disclaimer : I'm not an advocate of large aperture scopes - I still love the views through my 70mm Pronto )

[johnteh]

But single fork arm for 8" can it support well?

[harlequin2902]

But single fork arm for 8" can it support well?

There's a lot of debate going on about these "one armed bandits".

IMHO, if you are really looking to get an 8 inch GOTO SCT, you should be looking at the dual fork arm mounted Nexstar 8 GPS against the LX200 rather than the single arm Nexstar 8i. Also, if GPS is not a 100% must for you, the 8" LX90 is also not bad choice too.

[Airconvent]

But single fork arm for 8" can it support well?

As I have said, many have warned me about how shaky it can be and how the gears are under tremendous stress if you mount it in polar mode.
However, I have also read quite a few replies from the nexstar groups from americans that said that the single form arm is not a problem and anyway, it was clearly emphasised by Celestron that the scope is meant for visual and not ideal for long exposure dsos.
I intend to use it mainly for visual. Shaun Tay, one owner of a Nexstar 8 has taken quite a few planetary shots and they came out ok.

If you really need the dual fork arm, the nexstar 8 gps is a solid choice with excellent optics and solid mechanicals. I tried yl low's scope and it worked fine. for that privelege, you pay more than twice the cost of the N8 without GPS!

Another fine option is the Meade LX-90. Its dual fork arm as well and has the advantage of an upgradable controller software. Both Matthew and Kochu has used it to image DSOs with reasonable success....

rich

[ariefm71]

if you are really looking to get an 8 inch GOTO SCT

... however, if you're not into GOTO, prefer to do starhopping with your finder, and want a simpler and more portable set up, go with a C8 (12lbs) or Meade 8" (19lbs) OTA, get a Giro or Unistar mount (7lbs, rated for 30lbs load), and start to observe in no time. I'm getting this setup and will arrive ard next week . Btw i just back from bogor, indonesia, the nightsky view thru my 20x80 bino was simply breathtaking!