Hello
I have just noticed this thread and ironically I have asked a similar but slightly different question on another thread.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=166938
On this thread the question, if I may be permitted to roughly summarise, is which offers the better view between a top quality big refractor and a top quality big Dob.
HOWEVER - my question on the other thread concerns my attempt to help some newbies decide between a very interesting budget refractor - a 4 inch f/13 achro versus a budget 8 inch Dob.
My friends want the telescope for one purpose only which is to get the best bang for their buck when looking at Mars during the pending opposition. I can lend them a tripod (for the refractor) and good eyepieces (for both OTAs) so the real question is which OTA (only) will they get the most from.
The comments on my original thread
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=166938
seem to largely favour the Dob. However, on this thread it seems most folks seem to think a good quality refractor beats a good quality Dob - so would the same hold true for the alternate situation I have just outlined.
Any comments would be gratefully appreciated.