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Old 16-10-2006, 11:06 PM
bird (Anthony Wesley)
Cyberdemon

bird is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Rubyvale QLD
Posts: 2,627
It's very hard to properly compare scopes of different designs, especially if you're doing it at a star party where there are lots of different scopes set up and in use.

A lot of factors can effect the performance that you might not be able to measure or have any control over, e.g. whether or not the scope is properly cooled or collimated - these things can be radically different in scopes of different designs but the same aperture even when they are sitting side by side.

From what I've seen and read over the years, it seems to me that the humble newtonian can be the best performer, but it's also a bit cantankerous and needs TLC to get the most out of it. I think that's why the SCT has become so popular - sure the performance is down a bit compared to the equivalent newt, but it's a lot easier to transport and use.

If you want the best performing scope, and don't mind getting your hands dirty with some tinkering and maintenance then the newt is very hard to beat.

cheers, Bird
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