Celestron Nexstar - 6SE or 8SE will I tell a huge difference?

[Seamaster]

Hi, still considering a first (and only for a considerable time!) scope.

I have reviewed my budget and can stretch to around £700 all in, inc any eyepieces, power supply etc.

I can get a Celestron 6E for that, especially used and even an 8SE if I am patient pre-owned?

Question is for the significant extra cash will the 8 offer a significant increase in image size and clarity over the 6? In fact will the 6 be significantly better than the 5?

Are the magnifications very different?

I am happy to persevere in finding a 8SE in budget if it will be worth it but may as well go for a 6SE if the difference is not in proportion to the price difference?

Would I benefit more from say a 6SE with more eyepieces and extras or would it be best to max out on a 8 but with probably no extras and no cash to get any?

Thanks

Neil

Derby.

[Guest CodnorPaul]

I think if you are asking that now if you go for a 6 you will always be thinking you wish you had gone for an 8 - be patient and go for the 8, it is a very capable OTA

[Brantuk]

If you were upgrading from 6" to 8" I'd say it wasn't worth it you'd need 10" for a significant difference. But cos it's your first scope I'd say go for an 8" and an equatorial mount rather than the SE which is alt/az.

[Big Al]

I was looking at the same choices. A 6SE came up at the right price with the right accessories for me (as a total beginner). I was told that the 6SE performs better on the standard go-to mount than the 8SE, as the mounts are the same for both, but the 8 is a lot heavier. Can't vouch for this, though.

Alan

[red dwalf]

i`ve had both the 6se and 8se real difference is the focal length, 6 being 1500mm and the 8 being 2000mm so image scale on planets is better on the 8, also the 8 has alot more light gathering power than the 6 so better on the fainter objects, if you had lovey non light polluted skies then the 6 would be enough, i had great views with it at Kelling a few years ago, but if you suffer from light pollution those fainter objects will be better in a 8se, don`t get me wrong i loved the 6 but as we all want more power i bought a 8se and apart from the 9.25 which really is a bigger beast the 8 is the best all rounder and not really that much heavier than the 6se, you can buy a reducer to make it a faster scope for imaging, i`ve done it and was well impressed but i`m easily pleased, great scope for Planetary imaging alsowith the extra focal length.

i did get rid of the se mount and now have it mounted on my neq6

[Guest CodnorPaul]

If you were upgrading from 6" to 8" I'd say it wasn't worth it you'd need 10" for a significant difference. But cos it's your first scope I'd say go for an 8" and an equatorial mount rather than the SE which is alt/az.

 

I can vouch for the SE mount not being up to it - a lot of wobble when focusing or when it is windy, and I found it not very accurate.  They do sell the 8" XLT (same OTA just a different colour) on the AVX mount, so that would be a better bet if it comes up 2nd hand