Roy,..the celestron is very nice..i have owned the regal 65 and i can also praise its optics,specially when compared with other budget scopes and considering its low price and eyepuece compatibility...i think it is a bargain,and do not falls far behind the top brands..but the top modeld you are mentioning,the 883 and the Atx series,are a step ,or two above..I only tested the 883 once,and not for long,but i was able to detect level of performance i would say "superior",probably due to the larger objective ..i would say it was the best view i ever experienced,..untul i tested the Atx85 a few weeks ago...contrast and detail that surpassed my kowa 823 by a good stretch..the owner of the scope,perhaps trying to be nice,commented on how close the views were.For me ,the advantage in performance was very clear..I have read a few of your comments about lenses and i have seen very good pictures you took with your starwatcher 85 and i know you are very exigent and aim for excellence..I think if you try the swaro Atx you probably wouldn't accept a lesser view..also ,its photographic potential,via digiscoping,is going to be higher...