Chuck, You might also want to check out the Vixen VMC200L see: http://www.telescope.com/control/vixen/vixen-cassegrains/vixen-vmc200l-catad ioptric-reflector-telescope-optical-tube-assembly It avoids a corrector plate and thus cools down much quicker and you avoid dewing and the necessity of a dewcap. If you decide on this make sure you get the right dovetail. I have both a 7" Meade Mak and an Ultima 2000 SCT 8". You need to run the cooling fan for the Meade (supplied) in order for it to cool down in real time. I compared the Meade Mak and the SCT side by side and found no difference in planetary or lunar performance. The Meade did have a slightly darker background at the same power. The SCT was well collimated and is the best example of an 8" SCT I have looked thorough easily handling 300x and more on Saturn. Having said all that you probably have a better chance of getting good quality from Vixen. Celestron, Meade and Orion all have more quality problems. I have seen some good Orion Maks and some awful ones - ditto for Celestron and Meade. Clear Skies, Don -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 8:27 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Mak or SCT? Trying to choose between a 7" f/15 Mak and 8" f/10 SCT for the CGEM. Bear two things in mind...I've always wanted a Mak and think it a better choice for my usual suburban viewing of "round stuff", double stars and clusters, while still being fairly good for deep-sky from dark sites. Secondly, I will probably spring for a C-11 OTA sometime in the next six months, so an 8" SCT OTA would get sold when that happens, while I would keep the Mak. Opinions sought. Help Chuck spend his money before the soon-to-be-ex wife gets it. Thanks! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com