I'm new here but one of my scopes is an XT 8 and I really do like it and I have enjoyed it. I have a Telrad on it and that helps, and it has a right angle 9x50 scope and I would prefer the straight on scope but with the TelRad it doesn't matter. The two eyepieces it comes with are ok. They serve for observing (actually I think it only comes with the 25 mm Plossl now). I would recommend a 2x barlow so you double your eyepieces. In light polluted or unsteady skies though the Barlow will not provide a crisp image with a 10mm lens. The XT 8 is easy to move, in one piece or by separating the tube from the base, and thus easy to transport. It is manual so you'll learn the sky in order to find objects and for me, I enjoy doing that. Your right, you can always grow, but the XT 8 will keep you busy for some time. On 2008-11-11 19:46, Dan Hanks wrote:

Hi folks,

By way of introduction, I just joined the list. I've been a subscriber before but life just got too busy and I had to drop off for a while. Life has calmed down somewhat, so I'm back.

I've been into astronomy for as long as I can remember, probably started with backyard sleepouts in my hometown of Parowan, UT, and looking up at the stars on warm summer nights.

Though I've enjoyed astronomy for many years, I've never had a real good-quality scope. I currently have a lower-quality Bushnell 4" reflector with an EQ mount, and am looking to upgrade to a much better instrument. I imagine some better eyepieces might make a world of difference. Altogether, though, my current scope provides more headaches than celestial enjoyment, so I'm looking to move to something of better quality, easier to use, and more likely to get me out more often. I have my eye on the Skyquest XT12, but that would probably stretch our budget a bit. As an intermediate step I've considered going with the XT8, as a smaller investment to see if I'll actually get out and use the thing. If that turned out ok, I could probably graduate to the XT12 (or perhaps the XX12 if prices came down on that after some time).

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Dan