Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkler
I really don't know where this comes from. Whilst its true that all scopes will give their best under dark skies, its my experience that small scopes are less useful under light polluted conditions than larger ones, unless looking at planets and the moon only.
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The comment about the 6" being better under light pollution is an oldish one, a bit like the old adage that a 4" refractor is the equivalent of a 8" newtonian. Not any more!!!! In the past the quality of refractors was far better than relfectors but the reflectors have caught up and are more or less equal (unless it's Astrophysics refractor, of course, they
are the best. And yes, I have looked through a 4" Astrophysics refractor so I do know what they are like.) I think I'm really trying to say is don't take a rule of thumb comment as the definitive, there is often no 'right' or 'wrong' with telescope situations, only what ever produces a satisfying experience is the 'right' choice to make, be it big or small. I often say there is no shame in having a small telescope, the only shame is not using it to it's fullest potential.
However I think Schmourghenne and thought his situation through reasonably well, and a small goto Maksutov like the ETX125 might be just what he wants. I still say go the 5" if thats around the size you want. As large as you are willing to carry!
Gotos can be hard to set up, they are not always as whizz-bang-Bob's-your-uncle as the advertising suggests, which is what someone else has tried to point out, but you've already had some experience with using a telescope and finding your way around the sky so this might not be such an issue.