8 or 10" dobsonian?

[rinny]

Hi, I'm looking at getting my first scope and am contemplating between a 8 or 10 inch orion or skywatcher. I have read on many forums and the majority of people recommend the 10 inch. The 8 inch is around $500 but the 10 is $900. I'm wondering is it worth spending that extra $400 to get the 10 or should I just get the 8 and upgrade later down the track?

[Rod]

Hi Rinny

It's a bit of a toss up really. For me it comes down to the scope you can handle and transport most easily. If your car can manage the 10 and it's not to heavy to lift, then I would go with that.

However I have 10 and a 12 and recently built my son an 8. We use it the most now because it is so convenient and easy to transport and set up. So I don't think you necessarily lose much with an 8 if it means you enjoy getting out with it more.

Rod

[raymo]

You can get a 10" from Bintel for $699, but I believe you would have to do a mod to it if you want to attach a DSLR to it for basic photography.
raymo

[Allan]

Hi rinny and welcome to IIS. I spent the first five or so years observing with a 60mm refractor and 4.5" reflector, and never ran out of things to observe. In the day 8" and 10" telescopes were considered large, and it's only in recent times these sizes have become more common with the advance of Chinese manufacturing.

I hesitate these days to suggest large telescopes for beginners after helping someone out on IIS with a 12" they had bought as their first telescope. After working with them for several months I was surprised one day to see their Dob sold in the classifieds and they left the hobby, because they struggled with such a big scope first up.

The usual (and absolute best) advice is to get along to a star party and astro store and handle some scopes for yourself and that will tell you what size to get. If that's not possible, consider the 8" to start with. If it's something you really get into, you can easily sell the 8" and get something bigger, better and with more features later.

[PSALM19.1]

Hi Rinny, welcome to IIS! Well, you've asked the million dollar question! I own an 8" Dob and it really amazes with views of a massive number of objects! It is very easy to move around (I bought a cheap cart to wheel it round on); it will take time to learn to use it, but if you stick at it, you will be a semi pro in no time! On a 10 inch; my personal advice - get an 8", learn your way round and then get a 12" later on: why? The difference in light gathering power between a 12" scope and an 8' is quite a bit and if you find you need an upgrade, I would skip the 10 and go the whole hog! If you start with a 10", you will learn how to use it in time, it's not that much bigger than the 8, but a 12" would be more reward later on and cost about $800 from Bintel...enjoy the journey mate :)

[astro_nutt]

Hi Rinny and welcome to IIS.
You've heard of the saying try before you buy! Well before you make a choice, go to the scope shop, and then ask if you can lift the optical tubes of both the 8'' and 10". You will then have an idea of what you'll be lugging around. The 8" is a great learning scope. Later on you can sell the 8"and add a bit more then move up to a 12" Or keep the 8" and buy an eq mount if you want to take up astrophotography.
Cheers!

[mariner10]

Hi Rinny,
My first scope was a 10" and I've never regretted it and if you're like the rest of us you'll end up with size fever with bigger is always better (don't necessarily agree myself but...). Take the advice given by a few people here. Get to a good shop and go along to star parties or dark sky nights with a local astro society. Look through them and make an informed determination. Transport of a large scope is problematic. I owned a little Hyundai Excel when I brought my first scope, got everything in except the wife who had to stay home. Good luck.

[sil]

I was disappointed with the Firstscope too, but is actually pretty good its let down by the poor quality eyepieces it come with. but with Baader Hyperions it responds well. I also have the Orion 100mm desktop dob (your second choice) and its far superior to the firstscope in every way. its also such an easy scop e to just grab an go, no fuss at all. again the hyperions really shine with it too, i've seen neptune with this scope for visual its what i was using until my stroke in february i can no longer use my C11 cgemdx, so the orion is practically my only usable scope now. my Firstscope i can use for solar, i put a white light filter on it for the venus transit.

[AstralTraveller]

Or buy a 10" and then get a 16" collapsible later on - I did. BTW my very first scope, back in the 70's, was a 10" and I learned on it OK

[rinny]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have decided to get an 8 inch as I went to the shops today and don't think I could lift much more. I don't think I could justify spending any more either in case I lose interest like with many other things I do.

[Starlite]

Rinny, what did you end up getting , an 8" Skywatcher I hope..:)...

[rinny]

I got the 8" orion since it was around $100 cheaper.

[Starlite]

Great scope Rinny, are you on the Nth or Sth side of Bris.:)

[rinny]

I'm on the north side.