<https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/99786-scope-advice-first-scope/#comment-986495>
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"All, Thanks again for the input, but it seems I may have confused some people over my scope requirments - particularly on the imaging side of things (badly worded questions by me). When I said astro imaging will be quite important .... what I mean is I will be taking my first steps into it imaging.  I'm not looking for a 'serious' dedicated AP setup. I already have a Canon DSLR that I'd like to attach and I'll no doubt invest in a webcam &amp; some stacking software. Equally, I also want to get some good views of the solar system, just using my scope and my fully functional MkI human eyeballs - I already have 2 of these installed, so would like to use them   As I said in my first post, I'm looking for a decent all-rounder.   Please remember this is a first scope, what I want to do is get a scope that will last me at few years whilst I get some experience under my belt (this is clearly important) and also see where my astronomy preferences lie. Then I'll be better placed to get a scope more suited to a specific area in a few years.  What I'd like to be doing ....... But I won't be expecting to be 'top of the range' for any of them! Lunar &amp; Planetary viewing &amp; some imaging. Solar viewing &amp; imaging (with solar filter!) Viewing &amp; imaging (if possible) of some of the easier galaxies &amp; nebulae.  At present I'm favouring something like the Skywatcher Explorer 150 or 200 (PDS) series or the Celestron C6 or C8 NGT.  The mounts on these seem to be OK (EQ5 &amp; CG5 computerised) - maybe not the best ... but adequate for a first scope within my budget!  The Skywatcher PDS has the Crayford focuser but the Celestron mount seems a little sturdier (2\" rather than 175\" tube legs) The (new) 6\" variants seem to be around the £700 mark and this would leave some cash left over for a couple of additional EP's etc.  The 8\" versions are about £800 with the same mounts as the 6\".   I'm not sure the increased magnification of the 8\" would be too critical (given average seeing conditions), but would the increased light gathering capacity be beneficial for the sort of use I'm looking at, for detail etc. On the subject of mobility/portability.  Most of the dark sky locations that I'd be visiting are within a 15 min drive and nearly all accessible by car, so whilst keeping the weight of these scopes in mind .... I wont be carring them too far over fields etc. I have a budget and at this stage will need to stick to it, if there is something I can't do on that budget .... then for now I won't be doing it.   I would welcome opinions on the best options within that budget.   Sorry if I confused things with the 'imaging' issue ...... Thanks for everything so far - some very useful comments. ollypenrice = Your pics are stunning!  I am not expecting to do anything similar!  Cheers      Al \n"
<https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/99786-scope-advice-first-scope/?tab=comments#comment-984730>