Hi Xnomad & All,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkler
I have viewed the moon and planets through a lot of scopes, from small refractors up to large truss dobs. The lesson I have learned is that aperture rules and IMO its not worth sacrificing significant aperture just for a tracking mount.
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Amen and Amen to that!
If you are primarily interested in viewing planets in a medium-sized 'scope (ie about 5-10") in addition to the above advice, high-quality well figured optics are important and if you are going to get an "obstructed" telescope like a S/C, Mak or Newtonian, make sure you get significant focal length (ie f/6-10) and a secondary mirror that is as small as possible -- less than 20%. A central obstruction <20% will produce a view second only (and hardly distinguishable from) a fine refractor (and a lot cheaper too!).
Best of luck with the choice and make sure you join a society if there is one nearby to try-out other people's 'scopes before you buy!
Best,
Les D