telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron EdgeHD 8 vs Astro-Tech AT8RC

Celestron
EdgeHD 8
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.

Key differences
+25% focal length
Slower by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron EdgeHD 8 | Astro-Tech AT8RC |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | SCT | RC |
| Optical design | Aplanatic SCT | Ritchey-Chrétien |
| Aperture | 203mm | 203mm |
| Focal length | 2032mm | 1624mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/10.0 | f/8.0 |
| Image circle | 42mm | 42mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 6.4kg | 10.0kg |
Advantages of Celestron EdgeHD 8
- Tighter framing — 2032mm vs 1624mm focal length
- Lighter (6.4kg vs 10kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT8RC
- Wider field — 1624mm vs 2032mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/8 vs f/10
Best for — Celestron EdgeHD 8
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Astro-Tech AT8RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Celestron EdgeHD 8 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.02° × 0.68°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.66° × 0.44°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.32° × 0.32°Scale: 0.38"/px
Astro-Tech AT8RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.27° × 0.85°Scale: 0.48"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.83° × 0.55°Scale: 0.48"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.40° × 0.40°Scale: 0.48"/px
Celestron EdgeHD 8 — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.
Astro-Tech AT8RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.