Celestron Super C8+ Schmidt-Cassegrain

Specifications and Features of the C8 Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain Aperture: 200mm (8") Focal Length: 2000mm Focal Ratio: f/10 Resolving Power (arc secs.): 0.6 Optical Coatings: Star Bright Coatings Limiting Visual Magnitude: 14 Limiting Photographic Magnitude: 16 Maximum Practical Visual Power: 480x Secondary Mirror Obstruction (dia.; %): 2.75"; 12% Telescope Mounting: Fork Mount with Byers Motor Drive (R.A.) Tripod: Deluxe field tripod Polar Illuminated Viewfinder: included in finder scope Slow-Motion Controls: manual, both axes Finder Scope: 8x50 Polar Alignment Finder Scope (90° w/illuminated reticule) with dovetail mount Total Net Telescope Weight: 48 lbs.

I bought this circa 1990, one owner, Celestron C8 this past summer (2004). I have to admit that I wasn't in the market for another telescope but this deal was just to good to pass up. None of the pictures above show all the extras that the previous owner threw in with the sale. He included practically every extra that's available for this scope including a 12V battery, JMI Dec & MotoFocus motors, astrophotography setup (off-axis guider, piggyback bracket, counter weights), four eyepieces, trunk for storing the scope, deluxe field tripod, wedge, 8 x 50 upgraded 90 degree finder scope with dovetail mount, Celestron f/6.3 focal reducer, Celestron Advanced Astro Master (Digital Setting Circles), original product guide and reference manual and boxes. I'm not going to tell you what I paid for all this stuff but if I did rest assured you'd fall out of your chair in amazement. There are good deals out there on used telescopes and I happened upon a sweet one.

I've had this telescope out in the backyard a couple of times now and have been very satisfied with the optics. I plan on doing some planetary and digital photography work with it this winter as well as taking it to a dark sky site to put it through the paces.