Quote:
Originally Posted by wavelandscott
I picked 8 inch dobsonian reflector and ED80...but my first advice is almost always...go to a viewing night and look through some scopes before you buy one.
That aside, here is why I suggest the above for beginners...
ED80 (on an Alt/AZ mount)...It looks like a telescope. You can get nice views of moon, planets and it also works in the daytime. It is easy to understand, carry and use and for folks who aren't really sure that they want to own a telescope I think it makes a lot of sense.
8 inch Dobsonian mounted reflector...while not specifically true today I still think of it as "the biggest small telecope" that you can get. Lots of great views for all objects (moon, planets, double stars, DSOs) but it is much bulkier than the ED80. The relector and collimation are not necessarily intuitive for folks without some support. The downside compared to the ED80 is that it is a "night time only" telescope...
Both are good value in the price department...
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I'll go with Scott's comments.