Which Go-To

Thanks for the dose of reality Albert.
you're dead right, if you want to pay thousands for the mount, then you'll get what you pay for.

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the feedback - I agree with you Simon about the new ETX colour - looks really bad. I have only been at astronomy for 3 years really and only joined clubs in the last 2 - my sky knowledge is poor, this is why I am looking for a go-to to see objects beyond the norm like the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Orion Nebula etc. Having a Tal as my first scope with its very solid metal stand - portability is a biggie for me this time around - I know the ETX 125 has limited light grasp compared to the LXD 75 6 inch SNT - but it is supposedly easy to set up and use and highly portable.

... I know the ETX 125 has limited light grasp compared to the LXD 75 6 inch SNT - but it is supposedly easy to set up and use and highly portable.

Neill, you're only talking about 5" vs 6" so I can't see it making that much difference.

Simon

... I know the ETX 125 has limited light grasp compared to the LXD 75 6 inch SNT - but it is supposedly easy to set up and use and highly portable.

Neill, you're only talking about 5" vs 6" so I can't see it making that much difference.

ETX125 is a 5" Mak; 138mm diameter with a 39.4mm central obstruction. That gives an area of 14949 - 1218 =13731 mm^2

The 6" SNT 152mm diameter ;54mm central obstruction. Gives an area of 18136 - 2289 = 15847 mm^2. About 15% more light gathering than the 5" ETX.

Cheers,
~Al