Best 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope For Sale In 2022 Reviews
Are you interested in buying a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope?
Read this post and find out everything you need to know about the best five Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, what makes them different from other telescopes on the market, and why this telescope is the best choice for you.
Why Should You Choose A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope?
What Is A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope?
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is a special design of the catadioptric telescope which means that it uses both lenses and mirrors to provide you with the most beautiful view. It usually features a reflecting design but it does use a corrector plate that ensures completely aberration-free images.
How Does It Work?
The light goes through a corrector plate that is located on the front and then it’s reflected from a concave primary mirror that focuses the light to the front of the telescope. After that, the light is reflected again by a somewhat smaller convex secondary mirror. A the end it travels to the eyepiece that provides you with an image.
How Is A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Different From A Maksutov-Cassegrain?
If you are looking for a Cassegrain telescope you might be wondering what is the difference between the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope. Well, the main difference is the corrector plate or the lack of it. Both designs feature spherical mirrors but Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes also come with a corrector plate on the front side that completely eliminates aberration.
Why Should You Buy A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope?
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes come at a more expensive price but they also offer many beneficial features that you won’t find in other telescopes on the market. For example, they come with ultra-high transmission coating, built-in GPS system, mirror locking mechanism, auto-align system, oversized optics, solid fork mounts, etc.
Best 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes
Best 8-Inch SCT Telescope
Celestron Advanced VX 11″ f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
Equatorial Mount
This 8-inch SCT comes with an equatorial mount that features one rotational axis that is parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation. Thanks to this feature the telescope will stay fixed on the object you are observing by driving the one axis at a constant speed.
StarBright XLT Coating
The best thing about this 8-inch SCT is that it features an optical coating that is specially designed to provide you with better light transmission. That means that this telescope will provide you with the most beautiful view of different celestial objects.
Optical Finderscope
You won’t have any trouble with finding the desired celestial object with this 8-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. It comes with an optical finderscope that is made to help you locate and track the object you want to observe as it appears to move across the sky.
Mirror Diagonal
Another great thing about this 8-inch SCT is that it comes with a mirror diagonal which is actually an angled mirror that provides a view from a perpendicular direction to the eyepiece axis. As a result, you will be able to see the image that is right side up but reversed in the left to the right direction.
Collapsible Tripod
You can forget about squatting down or bending in awkward positions to get that perfect view. This 8-inch SCT comes with a collapsible tripod that is designed to provide you with a firm base to ensure you get a perfectly clear image.
- computerized German equatorial mount
- optical finderscope
- 1.25-inch eyepiece
Best 9.25-Inch SCT
Celestron 91027XLT Schmidt-Cassegrain C9.25″
Large Aperture
This Schmidt Cassegrain telescope features a large 9.25-inch aperture that will allow you to see even the smallest details on different celestial objects. Thanks to that feature this telescope is the perfect choice for those who want to observe specific details of planets and give astrophotography a shot.
Multi-Coated Optics
The best thing about this 9.25-inch SCT is that it comes with multi-coated optics. Because of this feature, you can be sure that this telescope will provide much better light transmission while protecting your eyesight from any damages that may occur due to the time spent observing bright celestial objects.
25mm Eyepiece
This 9.25-inch SCT comes with a twenty-five-millimeter eyepiece that will provide you with a high-quality magnification of up to ninety-four times. You can be sure that you will get the most beautiful views of different celestial objects and their specific details.
6X30 Finderscope
Thanks to the 6×30 finderscope that comes with this 9.25-inch SCT you will quickly and easily find the object you want to observe. Also, it will help you keep track of the desired object as it appears to move across the sky.
Dovetail Rail
The best thing about this 9.25-inch SCT is that it comes with a dovetail rail on the bottom of the unit. Thanks to that feature you can easily mount this telescope onto any tripod that comes with a dovetail bar. Note that a tripod does not come included in the package. You will need to purchase it separately.
- 2350mm focal length
- aluminum optical tube
- 6×30 finderscope
- 25mm eyepiece
Best 10-Inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
Meade Instruments 10-Inch Telescope
Ultra-High Transmission Coating
This Schmidt Cassegrain 10 inch telescope features ultra-high transmission optical coating. The coat is specially designed to ensure that the optics of the telescope provide you with a much brighter image of the observed object that features a high-quality contrast.
Large Celestial Object Database
The best thing about this Schmidt Cassegrain 10 inch telescope is that it comes with a large celestial object database that offers 145 000 different celestial objects. That’s why this telescope can be the perfect choice both for those who are just starting to observe the sky and for professional astronomers.
GoTo Tracking System
Another great thing about this Schmidt Cassegrain astrophotography telescope is that it offers a GoTo tracking system. Everything you need to do is select the object you want to observe via the computerized hand controller and the telescope will automatically locate it and track it as it appears to move across the sky.
Star Alignment
This Schmidt Cassegrain 10 inch telescope comes with another amazing feature and it’s Meade’s level north technology alignment system that is specially designed with a sixteen channel GPS receiver. That means that you will be able to properly align the telescope in no time.
Mirror Locking Mechanism
You can forget all about the movement of the primary mirror that may occur due to the long exposure observing. This Schmidt Cassegrain astrophotography telescope features a primary mirror locking mechanism. To ensure that the mirror stays in place you only need to turn the lock knob and it will completely cancel any image shifting.
- coma-free optics
- ultra-high transmission coating
- 1. 25 diagonal prism
- single speed focuser
- AutoStar GoTo system
Best 12-Inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
Meade Instruments 12-Inch (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope
Superior Optical Design
This 12-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope offers a superior optical design that ensures completely coma-free images of the object you are observing. It is the perfect choice for everyone who wants to enjoy observatory-class optics that provide the most beautiful Astro images.
Built-In GPS
Another great thing about this 12-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is that it comes with a built-in GPS system that can do much more than track some satellites. Once you turn it on it will automatically determine the date, time, and it will precisely detect your location.
Auto-Align System
Once the GPS locates you the auto-align system will easily align this telescope. It works by choosing two alignment stars and it places them in the viewfinder. Everything you need to do is center them properly to ensure you get the perfect view.
Oversized Primary Mirror
The best thing about this 12-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is that it features an oversized primary mirror that provides you with an additional quarter of an inch mirror. Because of this feature, you will get a beautiful fully illuminated view of the object you are observing.
Computerized Hand Controler
This 12-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope also comes with a computerized hand controller that features a large database of different celestial objects. It even features a speaker so you can listen and learn all the fun facts about the objects you are observing.
- advanced optics
- dual fork mount design
- standard tripod
- AudioStar handbox with speaker
Best 14-Inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
Meade 14″ f/8 Go-to Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
GPS Receiver
This 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope features a built-in GPS receiver. It is specially designed to easily pinpoint your location and determine the exact date and time of your observation. You can be sure that it will provide you with many amazing features.
Star Tracking System
The best thing about this 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is that it offers a built-in unique star tracking and object finding system. Because of this feature, the telescope will easily find the object you want to observe and provide you with an amazing field of view.
Crayford Style Focuser
Another great thing about this 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is that it comes with a Crayford style focuser. Thanks to that feature you can forget all about image shifting. It also ensures an easy and quick adjustment of the telescope.
Solid Fork Mount
This 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope comes with a solid fork mount that allows you to go horizon to horizon without having to worry about the meridian flip. It will provide you with very smooth movements and it will cause only low periodic errors.
Portable Design
You can easily take this 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope anywhere you go. It is the perfect choice for everyone who loves to travel and wants to observe different celestial objects from different parts of the world. Once you reach your destination simply unfold the tripod and enjoy the most comfortable observing experience.
- StarLock automatic guider system
- motorized Alt-Az mount
- GPS receiver
- AutoStar II GoTo computer controller
- 145,000-Object Database
Conclusion: What Are The Best Two Schmidt Cassegrain Telescopes You Should Consider Buying?
The best two Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes I think you should consider buying are Meade Instruments 12-Inch (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope and Meade 14″ f/8 Go-to Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. They are both made by the same manufacturer and provide many different beneficial features that ensure the most comfortable observing experience with spectacular views.
If you are interested in learning more about astrophotography telescopes and auto-tracking telescopes read this article about the best telescopes that are currently available for sale. Find out everything about how they work and what beneficial features they have to offer.