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Old 23-10-2009, 03:58 PM
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Benno85 (Ben)
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wilton, NSW
Posts: 241
Hi Janine,

Just had a quick look at the models you've mentioned, and between the 102mm and 120mm Skywatcher refractors and the 127mm Mak, both would have their strongpoints.

The refractors both have focal ratios of f/5, which would give a nice wide field of view great for open clusters and browsing the starfields around the Milky Way, whereas the Mak has a focal ratio of f/11, which will reduce the field of view but offer a better view of the planets. Think of it as looking through the centre of a toilet roll and a drinking straw.....the toilet roll is shorter and wider, whilst the drinking straw is longer and narrower. Bit of a rough analogy, I'm still an L-Plater in this game as well!!

If it was me, I'd go the 120mm refractor - easy maintenance (no collimation required), it's lighter and would therefore get more use.

Best of luck, and keep the questions coming

Ben.
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