Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen65
A small refractor of decent quality is a lot easier instrument for absolute beginners to use than Newtonians that require collimation..
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Whilst a small refractor is what got a lot of people into astronomy, it is also what got a lot of people out of astronomy. This occurs through sheer frustration at the poor finderscope, wobbly mount or the inabality to basically see anything. A small refractor, even a good quality one, provides very uninspiring views of most targets, except Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon. This is particularly so in the case of new observers whose observing skills haven't developed. This is why a small dob in the 6" to 10" size range is an infinitely better instrument for a beginner to start with IMO. They can actually see something with it, it has a decent finderscope, unlike most small refractors, provides a stable observing platform and is very easy to steer and control. The only thing they have to do is learn to collimate it, which isn't that difficult.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen65
The other vice of the awful telescopes that department stores and camera shops sell is that they are usually very under-mounted.
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Another reason why a small/medium dob is a better option. Most cheaper telescopes apart from small to medium dobs are very poorely mounted. By comparison just about all small to medium dobs, whilst still inexpensive, are fairly well mounted and very user friendly.
Cheers
John B