[lookus]

Hi. I am new to the forum and also to astronomy. I am looking at buying a telescope and after reading up on the various telescopes i believe that i would like to go with a maksutov cassegrain. better for planetary viewing, smaller. ( please let me know if anyone thinks this is a bad decision)

A local store will sell me a 127mm black diamond mak/cass. on a EQ3 mount for $750.

I have also stumbled on a 152mm maksutov cassegrain on a EQ5 mount for about $1000. the brand is AOE. is this brand OK? a similar option in a black diamond brand would cost about $1700, but $1000 is my limit. In terms of value for money will it be a better option than the 127mm black diamond option?

your opinions and/or advice would be highly regarded.