Some background info....
When I was a youngster of ~13 (27 yrs ago) after many a lawn mow and extra house hold duties, I got myself a little 4&1/2" newton. It looked much like this, but white and probably was exactly the same :
someone elses on this site
That telescope & I spent many nights together from sun down to sun up. I remember I could make out the cassini division, the bands on Jupiter with the red spot, ice cap on mars... impressive for such a wee mass produced scope I think.
As the years went by it was used less, lent to a friend and eventualy donated to a local Astronomy club. A club which I have still to even visit.
Anyway, here I am much older and considering a new one.
As the title says, I'm looking at a GSO 12" OTA. They have 2 versions, the f5 and f4. Size isn't an issue so it comes down to whats better over all. If I get a new scope that I actually use, it will eventually end up with a semi home made equilateral mount or similar. Maybe a dobson mount just to get me going with the proper mount being a project to work on later.
What's peoples thoughts on these two models with their pro's and cons? I suspect it'll be mostly hands on viewing but a camera option would be nice... I got told the f5 has issues with getting a camera to work without modifications unlike the f4?
Any info on these appreciated.
Cheers.
P.s. I tried to sign up to the cloudynights forum but was rejected as a possible spammer. Crazy yanks
