Answer : 6se - Reason = a perfect balance between portability and performance. (the 8se uses same mount as the 6se, therefore 6se is more solid). Some of the images in this clip could lead to unrealistic expectations.... but obviously, good to have any info on these amazing scopes
Weight is also a consideration. Even though the 8SE only weighs slightly more than the 6SE, you can tell the difference when moving them from inside house to outside. I keep the OTA attached, and move the entire assembly at one time. Also, if you add enough accessories to the 8SE, you will be pushing the limits of the mount. The weight of the 6SE OTA gives you a little wiggle room to add accessories. My 6SE is a great complement to my Orion XT8 PLUS, along with my Meade 114mm Lightbridge Mini that I use for a quick look, or to put in the trunk of the car when traveling. Just remember that atmospheric conditions plays a major part of how much resolution you will get with whatever magification you use for good views with regards to aperture size. A bigger aperture also means that you are magnifying the crud in the air along with the object you are trying to see. A lot of times the maximum you can get is 100x to 150x. On a good night up to 200x is possible. With a killer mount of course. The 6SE and 8SE are both f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain designs. So is the 5SE, which is not mentioned. The 4SE is f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain design, which will make for a narrower field of view. Also the 4SE's MCT is a very sturdy design that rarely requires collimation. Bottom line is, any of the Celestron products, 4SE, 5SE, 6SE, or 8SE would be a great to have. Just keep in mind the limitations of all in size, weight, performance and cost. This is one hobby that we never stop learning. It seems like every year I learn more and more from the experts, and that makes the hobby even more enjoyable. "Clear Skies" everyone!
fantastic advice Bill. May I ask you about my 6se ? I would like to attempt collimation... I can collimate my 10" Newtonian, but not thought about doing an SCT. A star tests suggests collimation could be improved - should I attempt to collimate or not ? thx
The 6se is the best of the lineup because the 8" optical tube is at the limit for the mount's payload capacity. The moment you put on a nice 2" diagonal and try to use heavy eyepieces, the mount begins to struggle... and if you haven't tried one of these with a 30-40mm wide field 2" eyepiece, you're missing out. I also prefer an optical finder, even a small 6x30, over the included basic red dot. Those red dots are fragile and it's easy to leave it on by mistake, leaving you without a finder when you need one. All that extra weight will result in the 8se feeling shaky, it will struggle to provide a stable image at higher powers. That can be mitigated somewhat by collapsing the tripod to a shorter height, requiring an observing chair. Weight of the individual components isn't a big issue in my opinion. All of them are manageable to carry and setup for most people. The 8" optical tube is 12.3 lbs/5.6 kg, the 6" is 10 lbs/4.5 kg. I doubt many people can pick up a 10 lb object but not a 12 lb one. All of them are vehicle portable, it just comes down to weight on the mount and the price. The 6 is the sweet spot. I moved my own 8" optical tube to an Orion Sirius EQ-G mount (30lb capacity), and it's much happier. I then put a 5" Orion Maksutov in the 8SE mount, making it a Maksutov version of a 5SE... which you missed in this review. That 5" Mak on the SE mount makes for a very nice setup. I also own a 4SE, which does pretty well for itself too. The biggest downside to the 4 is you are permanently limited to 1.25" eyepieces, so it will fail to fit a large target like the Pleiades in its field of view. None of these telescopes are "bad" but, everything being equal, aperture wins every time... until you push the weight past the limit of the mount. I have considered selling my 5" Mak to get a 6SE and may do so eventually. I'm pretty happy for now though. One negative point: The leg clamps on all of the SE tripods are somewhat fragile. Make sure to never over tighten them. People break them often enough (and even happened to me once), that it's worth mentioning. To their credit, Celestron does have a parts department, reach out to them if you've managed to break your tripod. Another thing to mention: These telescopes use a lens (called a corrector plate) at the front and a mirror in the back. The corrector is prone to collecting dew as the night progresses unless you get a handy device called a dew shield. It's a plastic or foam cylinder that slips on the corrector end of the telescope. They can be purchased for $20-40, or made at home for less. It's interesting to note that in the vast majority of refractor telescopes (ones that use lenses and no mirrors) nearly always come with some sort of dew shield built into the design. I really wish the manufacturers would include shields with their SCT and MCT telescopes, but they do not.
@@eastendyves I eventually did swap my 5” Mak for a C6, then sold the whole rig to a friend. I still have a C6, but it’s on a manual equatorial mount (CG4). I also upgraded my 4se to a 5se. All the Celestron SCT and MCT scopes are wonderful. Used gear in my area pops up constantly, so I get to try a lot of stuff.
6SE is the sweet spot...it gets used more due to portability differences...also cheaper leaving money to burn on accessories ...the little bit of detail with 8SE can be compensated accordingly.
I had found a 15 pound meteorite, and so money isn't necessarily a problem, are there any bigger GoTo telescopes, or scopes and you buy a separate GoTo mount, perhaps a 11 inch, 12 inch, or even 16 inch that are good for astrophotography? If so, what other stuff should I get along with it so I have everything I need, (mounts, cameras, etc) My goal is to get good images of planets, and also images of stars and deep sky objects, is there a telescope that can do that? If not, I am more interested in planets than anything else, so a telescope that can resolve great detail in planets and their moons, and ones that can track them throughout the night sky. What equipment should I get, and is the Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope a good choice?
I currently have a manual 6” dobsonian and I’m wants to buy a camera and a 8” nexstar for the reason that 8” is the next step up and I’m needing a tracking mount
Thankyou for this review! I just ordered the SE8 yesterday. It is on backorder, but that is ok, I can wait. When the camera is shown on there attaching to the scope, could you please tell me where I can check that out? Is that all that is needed to take a picture? I do not have good luck with my iphone 7 plus phone taking night time pics.
Is it possible to use the SE scopes without power? Not sure I'd want to bother with alignment or tracking if I just wanted to take a casual look at the Moon, for example.
Hello! This might be a little late but if you want to center to the moon without a viewfinder you can but the tracking will not work perfectly due to star align which you need to locate 3 different stars manually… but if you want to see other stars, planets, deep sky objects you definitely will need that scope.
hello @Alien Tech, I can't make up my mind whether to buy the 4SE or 6SE. I have been thinking of buying a telescope for a while now, but it will be my first . I like the idea of having a computerized telescope and the sky scanner. Could you tell me whether I will be able to see enough detail with the 4se? it is also fairly expensive but the 6se is not a huge jump forward in terms of price. Would you say the 4se would be more than enough of would the 6se be more worthwhile? thank you
There is not much of a price difference between 5-SE and 6-SE. If you want a 5-inch aperture then you can go for Celestron 130 SLT which is cheaper but has some issues with a mount that can be overcomed. Check the SLT series video on the channel. But if budget is not an issue then 6-SE is a better choice from the given options. :)
I found someone selling a 6se with a bunch of extra attachments etc. for only 1000€ instead of 2000€+ But unsure if it’s worth it vs an 8se I’m just a beginner but I once learned it’s better to buy something more pricey if the quality is much better, because even if you stop pursuing that hobby, if you decide to go back to it, you immediately have something of good quality which makes it much more enjoyable
If u r on a tight budget then it sounds like a deal...6SE is also a good telescope...U can sell 6SE in future to get a bigger one like 8SE or better. Check if everything is working, before u make a purchase.
@@TheAlienTechs I’ll take my time before i do a too hasty decision :D thank you for the advice! Do you happen to know tho, if telescopes get cheaper over time? Similar to computer parts? Because I wouldn’t mind waiting 1-2 years if that means that the 8se for example becomes 500€ cheaper in the meantime
No, usually good telescopes like 6SE or 8SE or better won't get cheaper just over few years. These telescopes do not need much upgrades and will last u for 8-10+ years with proper use. You might get them cheaper during some festival sales online. But don't expect too much of a price drop. 🤗🤗
So no mention of the fact that the 4SE is a Maksutov-Cassegrain and the others are Schmidt-Cassegrain? That makes quite a difference. What about the payload capacity of the mount and the fact that to take pictures you'll have to polar align in with an EQ wedge and that this isn't included with the 6SE or 8SE (but is with the 4SE - although it's not a great design)? How about the eyepieces and focussers? Lastly, please don't use those spectacular Hubble-style images to demonstrate what the telescopes can 'see'. When somebody looks down their 4SE, 6SE or 8SE for the first time, they'll be very disappointed if that is their expectation. This is a really, really poor video that doesn't go into anything like enough detail - even if the scope is a basic comparison. You haven't even covered those basics.
They very expensive and would definitely not recommend for someone completely new to astronomy. If your budget is tight go for a good quality 70 mm or 80mm refractor on an equatorial mount that allows you to upgrade with tracking motors at a later stage. Some of the newer products allow navigation and finding objects with your smartphone as a visual guide. If a telescope is still too expensive get a good pair of binoculars.
And To Tell Someone What Scope To Buy,Thats Foolish Till You Know What They Want To Do With It,Visual,Astro,Planets,DSO’s...Maybe Get Behind These and See What It Can Really Do
Because some telescopes are combination of mirrors and lenses. It will get more confusing when you use advanced telescopes if they use word "mirror size". These are just basic terminologies of telescopes which u must learn.
The enckle gap is hard see even with 14 inch telescopes so no way the the 8se can see it. and the difference between the 6 inch and the 8 inch isn’t that significant, the 8 inch just produces a brighter image.
I have an 8" Apertura Dob, and altho it is heavy (for me) to move around, even in 2 pieces, the base and tube, I get really awesome views of the moon so close up that I can actually see the craters, and mountain like rock coming off of the surface. I have yet to look at the planets, but am very happy with the views of the moon so far.
If you haven't already, the Dobsonian will be a lot cheaper and if you buy a decent brand then you'll get very good views. They're also incredibly quick to set up so if you just want to grab a telescope and pop it in the garden then a Dobsonian may be the way to go. The main downside of a Dobsonian is the lack of GOTO options built-in to most models, so you'll have to learn your way around the sky and move it manually (not necessarily a bad thing). For general observing and for DSOs, I'd seriously consider a Dobsonian as a first scope over an 8SE. The 8SE really is an excellent telescope, though. Do you just want something simple, reliable, cheaper and easier to set up? Get the Dobsonian. Neither the 8SE or the Dobsonian are much use for imaging on their standard mounts (you can try!) so if that's what you want, then you're better off looking for something else. Maybe a 130PDS and an EQ-5 mount. Alternatively if you want to go a completely different route and go for a dedicated imaging setup, a small refractor and a tracking mount like a Star Adventurer or an EQ-5. You could even re-mount the tube of any Dobsonian that you buy with a Vixen mount but if you're doing that with an 8-inch you'll need a beefy mount and that gets expensive quickly. The combinations are endless! However you choose, I definitely wouldn't use this video for guidance. It's rubbish.
8" dobsonian was my first and gives awesome views of everything. I could not be more happier although it can be quite heavy if your moving it around and does NOT come with a computer which is part of the reason I bought it first... ie to learn the sky... I still use it and recommend
Did The 5se,Not Have a Chance In The Runnings,lol..I Love My 6se,And Too Small To Handle Bigger,Pop That Baby On My Eqm35Pro,and Im Off To DSO’s,They Make Focal Resucers,and Field Flatterers.Dont Tell Anyone That Cant Capture DSO’s With The 6se,Thats a Damn Lie
Watch Unboxing & Full Review of "Celestron NexStar 8SE" 👉👉:- th-cam.com/video/vPgj2Cc72Xk/w-d-xo.html
Answer : 6se - Reason = a perfect balance between portability and performance. (the 8se uses same mount as the 6se, therefore 6se is more solid). Some of the images in this clip could lead to unrealistic expectations.... but obviously, good to have any info on these amazing scopes
so does pictures of Saturn isn't what I'll see if I bought the telescope?
@@Lasseboss u can even see saturn with a non tracking telescope of about 500 dollars...it depends upon your level of experience
@@aversilf alright. I ended up buying a 10inch dobsonian.
@@Lasseboss THATS GREAT LOL
@@Lasseboss nice I got one aswell
Weight is also a consideration. Even though the 8SE only weighs slightly more than the 6SE, you can tell the difference when moving them from inside house to outside. I keep the OTA attached, and move the entire assembly at one time. Also, if you add enough accessories to the 8SE, you will be pushing the limits of the mount. The weight of the 6SE OTA gives you a little wiggle room to add accessories. My 6SE is a great complement to my Orion XT8 PLUS, along with my Meade 114mm Lightbridge Mini that I use for a quick look, or to put in the trunk of the car when traveling. Just remember that atmospheric conditions plays a major part of how much resolution you will get with whatever magification you use for good views with regards to aperture size. A bigger aperture also means that you are magnifying the crud in the air along with the object you are trying to see. A lot of times the maximum you can get is 100x to 150x. On a good night up to 200x is possible. With a killer mount of course. The 6SE and 8SE are both f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain designs. So is the 5SE, which is not mentioned. The 4SE is f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain design, which will make for a narrower field of view. Also the 4SE's MCT is a very sturdy design that rarely requires collimation. Bottom line is, any of the Celestron products, 4SE, 5SE, 6SE, or 8SE would be a great to have. Just keep in mind the limitations of all in size, weight, performance and cost. This is one hobby that we never stop learning. It seems like every year I learn more and more from the experts, and that makes the hobby even more enjoyable. "Clear Skies" everyone!
fantastic advice Bill. May I ask you about my 6se ? I would like to attempt collimation... I can collimate my 10" Newtonian, but not thought about doing an SCT. A star tests suggests collimation could be improved - should I attempt to collimate or not ? thx
Useful advice, thanks.
could you please explain to me what OTA stands for?
The 6se is the best of the lineup because the 8" optical tube is at the limit for the mount's payload capacity. The moment you put on a nice 2" diagonal and try to use heavy eyepieces, the mount begins to struggle... and if you haven't tried one of these with a 30-40mm wide field 2" eyepiece, you're missing out. I also prefer an optical finder, even a small 6x30, over the included basic red dot. Those red dots are fragile and it's easy to leave it on by mistake, leaving you without a finder when you need one. All that extra weight will result in the 8se feeling shaky, it will struggle to provide a stable image at higher powers. That can be mitigated somewhat by collapsing the tripod to a shorter height, requiring an observing chair.
Weight of the individual components isn't a big issue in my opinion. All of them are manageable to carry and setup for most people. The 8" optical tube is 12.3 lbs/5.6 kg, the 6" is 10 lbs/4.5 kg. I doubt many people can pick up a 10 lb object but not a 12 lb one. All of them are vehicle portable, it just comes down to weight on the mount and the price. The 6 is the sweet spot.
I moved my own 8" optical tube to an Orion Sirius EQ-G mount (30lb capacity), and it's much happier. I then put a 5" Orion Maksutov in the 8SE mount, making it a Maksutov version of a 5SE... which you missed in this review. That 5" Mak on the SE mount makes for a very nice setup. I also own a 4SE, which does pretty well for itself too. The biggest downside to the 4 is you are permanently limited to 1.25" eyepieces, so it will fail to fit a large target like the Pleiades in its field of view.
None of these telescopes are "bad" but, everything being equal, aperture wins every time... until you push the weight past the limit of the mount.
I have considered selling my 5" Mak to get a 6SE and may do so eventually. I'm pretty happy for now though.
One negative point:
The leg clamps on all of the SE tripods are somewhat fragile. Make sure to never over tighten them. People break them often enough (and even happened to me once), that it's worth mentioning. To their credit, Celestron does have a parts department, reach out to them if you've managed to break your tripod.
Another thing to mention:
These telescopes use a lens (called a corrector plate) at the front and a mirror in the back. The corrector is prone to collecting dew as the night progresses unless you get a handy device called a dew shield. It's a plastic or foam cylinder that slips on the corrector end of the telescope. They can be purchased for $20-40, or made at home for less. It's interesting to note that in the vast majority of refractor telescopes (ones that use lenses and no mirrors) nearly always come with some sort of dew shield built into the design. I really wish the manufacturers would include shields with their SCT and MCT telescopes, but they do not.
I've been researching these for the last 3 days and I got more info from your comment than from anywhere else!
@@eastendyves I eventually did swap my 5” Mak for a C6, then sold the whole rig to a friend. I still have a C6, but it’s on a manual equatorial mount (CG4).
I also upgraded my 4se to a 5se. All the Celestron SCT and MCT scopes are wonderful. Used gear in my area pops up constantly, so I get to try a lot of stuff.
@@eastendyves Totally agree!
6SE is the sweet spot...it gets used more due to portability differences...also cheaper leaving money to burn on accessories ...the little bit of detail with 8SE can be compensated accordingly.
Keep your expectations lower than the images shown on this video!
The top one is the most realistic though, you might see something like that
Great video. This is the kind of info I've been looking for. Thank you. You've been a great help.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for making this video. It is very interesting. I'm thinking of getting a 6SE.
I am happy you fid this video helpful :)
No need to look at any more videos just sums it up would easy understanding thanks so much man
Why didn't compare the 5se?
I'm really interested in these. But I already have a full redcat setup so I am wondering if I should just look at C8/EdgeHD8
Edge HD 8" ❤️👍🏻
Hey I'm thinking of getting a 6se for visual astronomy and wanted to know how much detail it would put out compared to the 8se
Do you have to have a laptop or will a desktop in the apartment suffice?
Ok I know it's been a while since this was uploaded, but can you still see mars and some of the other planets and galaxies with the 4se.
Do you need to buy a different eye piece to see planets or does the one that comes with the telescope good ?
I have the same question，but there has no answer yet.
I had found a 15 pound meteorite, and so money isn't necessarily a problem, are there any bigger GoTo telescopes, or scopes and you buy a separate GoTo mount, perhaps a 11 inch, 12 inch, or even 16 inch that are good for astrophotography? If so, what other stuff should I get along with it so I have everything I need, (mounts, cameras, etc) My goal is to get good images of planets, and also images of stars and deep sky objects, is there a telescope that can do that? If not, I am more interested in planets than anything else, so a telescope that can resolve great detail in planets and their moons, and ones that can track them throughout the night sky. What equipment should I get, and is the Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope a good choice?
I currently have a manual 6” dobsonian and I’m wants to buy a camera and a 8” nexstar for the reason that 8” is the next step up and I’m needing a tracking mount
Thankyou for this review! I just ordered the SE8 yesterday. It is on backorder, but that is ok, I can wait. When the camera is shown on there attaching to the scope, could you please tell me where I can check that out? Is that all that is needed to take a picture? I do not have good luck with my iphone 7 plus phone taking night time pics.
So, did your order arrived? How was the experience? I am intending to by one but appreciate a user opinion
What happened to the 5sc?
Great video! Thank you for the information. I now know that the 6SE is the right scope for me.
Glad it was helpful!
@@TheAlienTechs Amazing! Thank you! Always want 8 SE and will definately buy it.
What about the 5SE?
We don’t talk about the 5SE
@@EPIALUS :(
Can 4 or 5 inches telescope be used for deep sky viewing?
Yes, refractor ones..but u need EQ mount as well...
Alien tech, thanks for your video, Im investing in 8SE, I have been planing for a long time but I think is time,
Any regret?
Is it possible to use the SE scopes without power? Not sure I'd want to bother with alignment or tracking if I just wanted to take a casual look at the Moon, for example.
Hello! This might be a little late but if you want to center to the moon without a viewfinder you can but the tracking will not work perfectly due to star align which you need to locate 3 different stars manually… but if you want to see other stars, planets, deep sky objects you definitely will need that scope.
hello @Alien Tech, I can't make up my mind whether to buy the 4SE or 6SE. I have been thinking of buying a telescope for a while now, but it will be my first . I like the idea of having a computerized telescope and the sky scanner. Could you tell me whether I will be able to see enough detail with the 4se? it is also fairly expensive but the 6se is not a huge jump forward in terms of price. Would you say the 4se would be more than enough of would the 6se be more worthwhile? thank you
If you are deciding between 4SE & 6SE and price is not an issue then, definitely go with 6SE.
A bigger aperture will give you better images.
@@TheAlienTechs thank you for your reply! how about the 5se, do you have any feedback or suggestions on how that telescope compares?
There is not much of a price difference between 5-SE and 6-SE.
If you want a 5-inch aperture then you can go for Celestron 130 SLT which is cheaper but has some issues with a mount that can be overcomed.
Check the SLT series video on the channel.
But if budget is not an issue then 6-SE is a better choice from the given options. :)
I found someone selling a 6se with a bunch of extra attachments etc. for only 1000€ instead of 2000€+
But unsure if it’s worth it vs an 8se
I’m just a beginner but I once learned it’s better to buy something more pricey if the quality is much better, because even if you stop pursuing that hobby, if you decide to go back to it, you immediately have something of good quality which makes it much more enjoyable
What attachments?
@@TheAlienTechs 6 different eye pieces, 6 light filters and a planetary camera which costs 630€ new
If u r on a tight budget then it sounds like a deal...6SE is also a good telescope...U can sell 6SE in future to get a bigger one like 8SE or better.
Check if everything is working, before u make a purchase.
@@TheAlienTechs I’ll take my time before i do a too hasty decision :D thank you for the advice!
Do you happen to know tho, if telescopes get cheaper over time?
Similar to computer parts? Because I wouldn’t mind waiting 1-2 years if that means that the 8se for example becomes 500€ cheaper in the meantime
No, usually good telescopes like 6SE or 8SE or better won't get cheaper just over few years. These telescopes do not need much upgrades and will last u for 8-10+ years with proper use.
You might get them cheaper during some festival sales online. But don't expect too much of a price drop. 🤗🤗
Do you know any telescopes which have the 203mm aperture but isn't expensive?
Check Dobsonian Telescopes, they are cheaper n non-computerized & a little heavier.
@@TheAlienTechs Alright, do you have a link for any specific one?
@@Lasseboss Skywatcher Quattro F4 (200p) but only the telescope itself (no tripod or motorised mount).
🔴can the 8se also be used for VERY short distances, such as in urban city area
it all depends on the eye piece you use and how much magnification, the size of the telescope only brings in more light.
Terrific~ Appreciated
Great video, very well done
So no mention of the fact that the 4SE is a Maksutov-Cassegrain and the others are Schmidt-Cassegrain? That makes quite a difference. What about the payload capacity of the mount and the fact that to take pictures you'll have to polar align in with an EQ wedge and that this isn't included with the 6SE or 8SE (but is with the 4SE - although it's not a great design)? How about the eyepieces and focussers?
Lastly, please don't use those spectacular Hubble-style images to demonstrate what the telescopes can 'see'. When somebody looks down their 4SE, 6SE or 8SE for the first time, they'll be very disappointed if that is their expectation.
This is a really, really poor video that doesn't go into anything like enough detail - even if the scope is a basic comparison. You haven't even covered those basics.
I got the 4SE and this video is BS.
@@octapc It's just rubbish, isn't it? The video, not the 4SE.
Your answer is the only one that makes sense.
Would be better to show some live view shots from each
The 4SE image sizes and detail shown here is BS. You don't see Saturn anywhere near that detail. Thumbs down.
Those are processed images. They use a stacking software
That Saturn image is a Cassini image
Is it true that 4SE only has 102mm Aperture?
Yes
4-inch = 101.6 mm
Showing Hubble pics as exemples of what you can see in these telescope.... :/
That is definitely misleading.
Helpful
They very expensive and would definitely not recommend for someone completely new to astronomy. If your budget is tight go for a good quality 70 mm or 80mm refractor on an equatorial mount that allows you to upgrade with tracking motors at a later stage. Some of the newer products allow navigation and finding objects with your smartphone as a visual guide. If a telescope is still too expensive get a good pair of binoculars.
And To Tell Someone What Scope To Buy,Thats Foolish Till You Know What They Want To Do With It,Visual,Astro,Planets,DSO’s...Maybe Get Behind These and See What It Can Really Do
Celestron Echelon
NVG AN/AVS-9
Nikon Coolpix P900
Been seeing things in the sky for years 💯💯👽
Laser they flash back 💯💯
Word aperture is very confusing to newbies. Why not just say mirror size???
Because some telescopes are combination of mirrors and lenses.
It will get more confusing when you use advanced telescopes if they use word "mirror size".
These are just basic terminologies of telescopes which u must learn.
The enckle gap is hard see even with 14 inch telescopes so no way the the 8se can see it. and the difference between the 6 inch and the 8 inch isn’t that significant, the 8 inch just produces a brighter image.
8se or 8 inch dobsonian?...
I have an 8" Apertura Dob, and altho it is heavy (for me) to move around, even in 2 pieces, the base and tube, I get really awesome views of the moon so close up that I can actually see the craters, and mountain like rock coming off of the surface. I have yet to look at the planets, but am very happy with the views of the moon so far.
The dobsonian will probably be around F6 so you'll get a brighter, but less magnified image at prime focus.
If you haven't already, the Dobsonian will be a lot cheaper and if you buy a decent brand then you'll get very good views. They're also incredibly quick to set up so if you just want to grab a telescope and pop it in the garden then a Dobsonian may be the way to go.
The main downside of a Dobsonian is the lack of GOTO options built-in to most models, so you'll have to learn your way around the sky and move it manually (not necessarily a bad thing). For general observing and for DSOs, I'd seriously consider a Dobsonian as a first scope over an 8SE. The 8SE really is an excellent telescope, though.
Do you just want something simple, reliable, cheaper and easier to set up? Get the Dobsonian.
Neither the 8SE or the Dobsonian are much use for imaging on their standard mounts (you can try!) so if that's what you want, then you're better off looking for something else. Maybe a 130PDS and an EQ-5 mount. Alternatively if you want to go a completely different route and go for a dedicated imaging setup, a small refractor and a tracking mount like a Star Adventurer or an EQ-5. You could even re-mount the tube of any Dobsonian that you buy with a Vixen mount but if you're doing that with an 8-inch you'll need a beefy mount and that gets expensive quickly.
The combinations are endless! However you choose, I definitely wouldn't use this video for guidance. It's rubbish.
8" dobsonian was my first and gives awesome views of everything. I could not be more happier although it can be quite heavy if your moving it around and does NOT come with a computer which is part of the reason I bought it first... ie to learn the sky... I still use it and recommend
Did The 5se,Not Have a Chance In The Runnings,lol..I Love My 6se,And Too Small To Handle Bigger,Pop That Baby On My Eqm35Pro,and Im Off To DSO’s,They Make Focal Resucers,and Field Flatterers.Dont Tell Anyone That Cant Capture DSO’s With The 6se,Thats a Damn Lie
the pictures you used to illustrate what you see with those telescopes is ridiculous.
1 min late world record