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I was using a 4" Skywatcher on EQ mount and was enjoying using it. I could see the moon quite easily (no problem), Jupiters bands faintly, Saturn albeit a bit blurry, Orion Nebula and a few other bits and pieces which I can't recall. I found a used 10" Collapsible Dobsonian locally for sale and snapped it up. I tell you, the difference is amazing. I'm still learning also like you Graeme and Pete. Very much a novice. It has driven me to be more interested and I can't wait to see what Jupiter looks like through it. Saturn is certainly clearer too. The moon, well it'll burn your eyes out.
Last night, I looked through a star chart for January and made my own diagram of what I wanted to look at. I drew my own map of the sky and wrote on it where each thing is roughly and went out in anticipation to find it. Too cloudy!!! I'm waiting on a clear night where I can get it out again and really have a good look. Most nights when I get it out ready, the sky clouds over and I have to pack the darn thing up again. I'm becoming restless. Most of the maps I have require you to hold them upside down. That is a pain especially when outside. The trick is ensuring your drawing allows you to hold it normally and still be in the right direction. I wasted a few sheets of paper trying to get it right.
The best way is to have a look at some charts, plot two or three things that look relatively easy to find on paper and head out and go for it. The next night, try and find those two or three again and maybe a couple of new ones. Keep that pattern going. That's what works for me anyway.
I'm certainly no expert and am in the first stages of understanding the place up there but I tell you, it's fun.
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