Skywatcher MN190 vs Meade SN10

[billdan]

I saw on Astromart a Meade SN10 OTA for sale yesterday ($400 plus freight) and I was wondering which would be the better scope for imaging.

Both the MN190 and SN10 have nearly the same focal length, both have an optical window so the interior stays clean, and no diffraction spikes.

The Meade may have a slight advantage on light gathering power and resolution.

But which one would give sharper stars and a better image?

Cheers
Bill

EDIT: I was looking for something smaller that I can take to star parties, my 14 inch is too big.

[glend]

Well to start with, you won't find an MN190 for $400.

[Wavytone]

Bill it depends what sort of scope you have in mind.

There are plenty of very compact travel dobs around the 14-6” mark that will fit it a boot to go to a star party. However the best examples IMHO have been DIY affairs not the typical commercial ones from GSO skywatcher etc. There’s a really excellent thread over on CN with many examples.

If you want to use an SCT or Mak I reckon 8” - 10” is about the upper limit on convenience for a portable scope - I’ve seen people grappling with larger (C11 and Meade 12” lx200) and I wouldn’t recommend them. Second issue is a mount and tripod and for these. Assuming you want it to track and or have positioning of some sort you’re either looking at an EQ6 or possibly Losmandy mount of one kind or another.

I think you would find smaller refractors disappointing after your 14” though there is a rather nice 6” APM for sale here in IIS.