Celestron Advanced VX 7" Mak vs Celestron EdgeHD 800 OTA

The Celestron EdgeHD 800 OTA is the clear winner for most amateur astronomers. It outperforms the Advanced VX 7" Mak across nearly every category, scoring 81 overall versus 46, with substantial advantages in planetary observation, deep sky viewing, and astrophotography. The most important differentiator is the optical design and aperture; the EdgeHD 800's 203mm aperture with superior Schmidt-Cassegrain optics gathers significantly more light and delivers sharper planetary images than the 7-inch Maksutov, while its portability advantage at just 1.2kg versus 44kg makes it practically transportable.

The Advanced VX 7" Mak should appeal only to observers prioritizing a fully integrated mounted system with minimal setup, though its poor beginner and deep sky scores make it difficult to recommend. The EdgeHD 800 OTA deserves consideration by anyone seeking superior optical performance across all observing categories and the flexibility to choose their own mount. Choose the EdgeHD 800 unless you specifically need a complete integrated package and are willing to accept significantly compromised performance.

At $800 less with dramatically higher scores, it represents exceptional value for serious amateur astronomers.