[Kunama]

Comfort, quick looks and convenience of little scopes seem to be winning over larger aperture and the wealth of detail they can reveal....

Seeing a beautiful SDM scope listed in the classifieds for some time at an absolute bargain price made me wonder why someone has not jumped on it....

The visual observers seem to be doing so with ever smaller scopes. I can't help thinking that they are missing out on so much. I too spent a long time with various smaller scopes and did enjoy them for lunar and planetary viewing and the challenge of trying to find object with small aperture but I have no hesitation in admitting that when it comes to DSO viewing my fine 5" refractor might as well serve as a finderscope for the 18" Dob.

The difference on galaxies, globular clusters, and nebulae is night and day.....

I am finding I get very little eyepiece time at dark sky nights due to a large queue forming next to "Guinevere" each time I set it up.....

I can understand that the average age of people in this hobby is going up and thus some would struggle with the logistics. I read also that many feel the set up takes too long.
I have yet to see anyone set up an Eq mount and scope and be polar aligned and viewing faster than it takes to wheel out the big dob and have it setup, collimated and the DSC aligned.

Yes, I do need to have a ladder to use on about half of the targets but as long as you get a ladder with a handrail you will be more comfy than standing on the ground.

I am curious how many would like to jump on a scope like the Mary Rose if the Chief Financial Officer would allow it.... Or do you really prefer using a small scope often over a large scope a few times a month?