Hi all,
So I've bought my binoculars, I've been to an astronomy meeting (the SPSP last month), I've looked through a few telescopes, I've read these forums, and I've done a bunch of research. I think I'm ready to buy a scope now.
Based on these forums and my research, a Dobsonian is the best thing to start out on. I've looked around at prices and Bintel is conveniently close to work, so I've visited the store a couple of times and looked at the telescopes there. The GSO dobs look to be good value, coming with a right-angled finder, 3 eyepieces, a crayford focuser and a cooling fan.
Now I'm just struggling with the final decision, which size to buy?! I won't say money isn't a consideration, but my wife has kindly approved up to $1000 on the scope, so the 12" is within reach (the decision might have been easier otherwise
). With over twice the light-gathering power in the 12" over the 8", is the 12" a good choice? The 8" has the advantage of being easier to store and transport, but will I see enough to make me not regret passing on the 12"? The only scopes I looked through at the SPSP were 12" (mostly Meade Lightbridges, but one 12" GSO), so I don't have a reference point for the difference to an 8". I'm not a small guy, so I don't think I'd have trouble moving the 12" around (though I imagine it would be pretty unwieldy).
Any helpful tips at this stage would be welcome
Cheers,
Dave