Starting off.....Question on what I need....

I currently own a 150mm reflector, but Im considering a big step up. I like the idea of a cassagrain schmidt for ease of seup and transport. I also want to buy something with a goto system (which most seem to have now anyways). I would mainly be interested in planetary and lunar stuff but it would be nice to be able to do some deep space viewing too. preference on the lunar stuff though. A Nexstar 8 SE really caught my eye and I could buy a new one for quite cheap in from the US. (great dollar rates now). but Im not sure the nexstar is any good for astro-photography? What kind of telescope and camera setup do I need for excellent lunar pics. preferably in very high detail (200mm aperture on cassagrain minimum). I'd need a barlow x" too maybe for crisp close up stuff? Please if someone would be so kind to cover the basics.

i.e. recommend a good scope (preferably transportable and suitable for lunar viewing and astro photography.
recommend a camera/adapter? is it a webcam that 'stacks frames' I need?
Do I need a motorised stand to do this? Will all goto systems like the nexstar automatically track for web photography? or do I need something else.

I'm open to all your ideas. thanks guys. Ideal budget would be 1500euro. I'm not set on the Nexstar 8 SE, but its what I have been looking at. any suggestions welcome.

cheers all

Welcome to the boards. Where are you based Perilune?

Welcome!
Wow. So many Q's.
This is a good thing! but a little overwhelming..
How a bout we take em one or two at a time?
I think that way you might also get more responses to the posts.

I can only offer my advice on the scopes I use
An ETX-125 and a 12'' Dob.
The ETX is an outstanding scope for lunar and planets.
As for using it for astrophotography, it's not the best.
Fine for webcam stuff but not the best for prime focus.

Welcome!

An 8" GOTO SCT is a great scope to get. I had an 8" LX90 one for a few years and got tremendous enjoyment from it. It's a great balance between cost, physical size, aperture and GOTO.
I don't have any experience of the Celestron one so can't comment. However, I haven't heard anything bad about it either.
The advantage of getting it from the US is of course the price. However, if you bring it over here, I think the warranty becomes null and void. Something to think about.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

There is a review of the Nexstar 5 SE in the December issue of the Sky at Night magazine. It's basicaly the same as the Nexstar 8 SE, I think, just 2" smaller. It was the best of four scopes reviewed of similer size.

Bringing a scope in from the US also attracts the attention of the taxman, so expect to pay another 25% on top of the price, plus the shipping and insurance.

There's a review of the Celestron 6" SCT on a GoTo mount that gets a favourable review.