telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron EdgeHD 8 vs Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
Celestron
EdgeHD 8
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+306% focal length
+13% aperture
Slower by 7.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron EdgeHD 8 | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | SCT | astrograph |
| Optical design | Aplanatic SCT | Hyperbolic Newtonian |
| Aperture | 203mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 2032mm | 500mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/10.0 | f/2.8 |
| Image circle | 42mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 6.4kg | 12.5kg |
Advantages of Celestron EdgeHD 8
- Tighter framing — 2032mm vs 500mm focal length
- 13% more light-gathering aperture
- Lighter (6.4kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Wider field — 500mm vs 2032mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/2.8 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 — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- 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
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Celestron EdgeHD 8 — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.