I just bought the 11" GPS and I love it. I had the same question as you did - - go with the 8" and get more portability or spend the extra money on the 11" and get a bigger, and heavier, scope. The heavy weight of the 11" doesn't bug me much at all, but I think that's an entirely subjective assessment that is going to vary wildly from user to user. Also, I'm about 6'5" and probably have a little less difficulty humping this scope around than someone with a small build.

Here's one tidbit that might be helpful to you. The JMI custom built case for the 11" is exactly the same size as the case for the 8" scope - - there's just a little less padding in it. So, in terms of what you're going to have to haul around to your backyard, deck, or favorite dark sky site, there isn't going to be much difference between the 8" and 11" scopes in terms of trunk space. The 11" is obviously heavier and probably a bit trickier to get set up on the tripod given the extra weight - - but if you're going to be lugging a large scope around anyway, it isn't that big a deal (at least to me).

Good luck - - they're both great instruments.

• making the switch - santosd - May 24, 2002 - 19:17 UTC
• Went and bought it! - canismajor1 - May 25, 2002 - 00:36 UTC
  • Update on GPS 11 - canismajor1 - June 28, 2002 - 02:02 UTC
• How portable is GPS 11? (Portability) - rlh613 - March 29, 2003 - 14:23 UTC
  • Portability? - nova1 - October 27, 2007 - 01:26 UTC