[slt (Gunther)]

Well, I’ve just given another telescope as a present to someone (this time my nephew), and after almost 40 years wanting one for myself, I still haven’t gotten round to it. My excuse has always been light pollution, but my dark sky property in the northern Flinders is still patiently waiting for my retirement…

Anyway, I’ve just decided that I can justify spending $5k now (maybe 6 depending on the answers I get). It will primarily be a visual instrument, but I want to at least dabble with photography (just DSLR for now). I kind of set my sights on a refractor, at least 4” but preferably a bit more. Again, light pollution (Sydney northern beaches) is a factor I need to take into account.

After a bit of research I’ve been thinking this:

SW Black Diamond ED120 on a HEQ5 which adds up to about $3500. From all the reviews I’ve read, this isn’t that bad a scope.

But then I keep seeing the “cheaper” triplets, such as the SW Esprit 120ED, but of course this will need a heavier mount (AZ-EQ6 maybe), so that’s more like $6k. But then there aren’t many reviews out there on this scope, so that makes me a little hesitant.

So my question, as a primarily visual scope, will a “cheap” APO such as the Esprit give enough bang for the extra 2500 bucks that I would need to spend (including the beefier mount) over a ED doublet of the same aperture.

Would I be better off with a quality 4” TV or Tak APO?

Or should I get a C8 (Edge?) C9.25, Mewlon 210 instead?

Suggestions and thoughts welcome…