Quote:
Originally Posted by mac
Hi guys and gals,
Another newbie gear question from me:
Is a Newtonian reflector better/worse/equal to a Schmidt-Cassegrain?
So far, my research has indicated that a Newtonian will equal, or even outperform a Schmidt-Cassegrain inch-for-inch, but is limited by its physical size and higher maintenance requirements.
The reason for my question is that I may have an opportunity to buy an 8" SCT on a mount with a clock drive for the same price as a 10" dob-mounted newt. I'm wondering which to buy...
-Matt
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Matt, Depends on your light pollution.
I have owned several dobs upto 12 inch in Suburban situations and they were good but really shined under dark skies.
Most of the time I was at home in moderate light pollution and did ot have much time to get out to dark skies so I got a 12 inch SCT and put a Mallincam on it.
If you can buy a good condition 8inch SCT for the same price as a 10 inch dob then thats what I would get.
Tracking and goto will make you enjoy observing alot more and in a moderate to worse light pollution environment having goto will be good and tracking will help you tease out fainter objects while staring in the eyepiece.
Sure, large dobs are great but for learning go the 2nd hand SCT for the advantages above unless you can afford a much larger Dob with Argo Navis attached to it.
With the SCT you could always attach an Astrovideo of somesort like Mallincam or G-star and then you will see most things in light pollution way better than a large dob in pristine dark sky especially if you plan to use it the most in light polluted environments.
Either option that mentioned will work but for the same price go for the SCT .
Regards Matt.