Astronomers/telescope users help needed?

Question

I am looking at buying either a Meade ETX (probably 80 or 90) or the Celestron Nexstar SE 4 (as this is about what my budget will stretch to) Can anyone recommend which of the two is better, will the slightly extra light collecting ability of the Celestron really make much difference that I can physically see? And what of the GOTO functions? are they equally as good? Any good for astrophotography? I have read lots of online data, but would like to hear from people who have used one or either of them only please, thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Meade are good at what they do, in this case we are talking intro to the field. I have found them reliable, easy to use and good value. Setting up time is important as you do not want to be spending most of the time lugging heavy equipment and getting it ready. Larger scopes of similar construction will usually have better properties, but ask anyone who has a large scope and a small scope which they use most regularly. In this case not much in it, but I would go for the Meade 80 and if I got the bug then I would trade up later based on aquired knowledge - a Meade is usually easy to get rid of.