I'm getting back into amature astronomy a step at a time. Due to some long ago storage snafus with an expiring credit card, I'm starting over. First purchase will be a Canon 5d mk ii that I'll get modified for astrophotography. On the heels of that purchase will be an EQ6-Pro mount. That will let me ease into some astrophotography (and mount my less than stellar refractor my bought me for Christmas for a little goto practice and fun). I have in mind two telescope purchases. Eventually a Celestron 9.25 to replace my long lost Meade 8 inch SCT, in the short term a Williams Optics refractor. My question, on my budget I could go RedCat 51, 73, or 81 (whatever clever name they have). I'm really gravitating toward the redcat, but it's hard to shake the old more aperture is always better mindset. I've been haunting AstroBin looking at pictures from the various models, but I'm not seeing any pics making one a slam dunk over the others. Curious what opinions here are?
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What I have done prior to purchasing a new scope is to load Stellarium. Then I input the information of the scope and camera that interests me. Stellarium is free and allows you to input many scopes and camera sensors. After putting them in you are able to choose targets and change between the gear to see what gives you the shot. You can input focal reducers and Barlow lenses as well. It makes it easy to choose the right scope as far as the aperture and focal lengths go. After that it's a matter of quality of the lens and added features of the equipment. Most of that can be budget sensitive and the intended use restriction.
I'm sure you've read many articles on the best scope and how they all work. My first scope was a Vixen RS200S Newtonian reflector. I still have it. I started visually and quickly found when mounted to an equatorial mount with a hand controller you were never real sure where the eyepiece was going to be when you reach your target. Being 63 I'm not much of a contortionist and quickly went to a refractor. They are of course expensive when you start getting large apertures and quality lenses. I am, like most, looking for the most versatile bang for my buck. Just seems like the economy car won't haul two tons of equipment when the need arises 😓. Have fun
Hi!
The Redcat 51 and the Zenithstar scopes are all great and popular. Yes the aperture is different between each but at this point I would just look at which one you prefer in terms of focal length because for example the Redcat 51 has a much wider field of view (250mm) than the Zenithstar 81 (559mm).
Another great option is the Raptor ( https://bit.ly/2HLa7Z3 ) which we currently have and love. It's a 61 so kind of in between the three you listed. it is also within your budget I believe.
Great choice on the EQ6-R Pro mount!