Quote:
Originally Posted by PlanetMan
Hi Chucky,
I have skimmed this thread and discussion seems to have shifted from your original sentiment of a portable refractor to getting the most out of your dob. In principle - aperture rules and the advice you are getting in principle is correct. Before going any further I will state that I am a refractor-oholic.
With these two points stated - dobs are good provided you have the lifestyle and time for them. If you want something hassle free, quick to jump outside have a look around for an hour and then back inside, that will retain 80% its value should you want to sell, and is genuinely portable then a "top" quality refractor is pretty hard to beat.
Ultimately, it depends on your level of interest in astronomy. I have found that initially a lot of folks buy dobs or big reflectors of one type or another but as time goes by the set-up and cool-down gradually becomes more and more of an excuse to not go outside at all and ultimately they leave the hobby of switch to something smaller.
The old expression is that the best telescope is the one you use the most. I am still looking at the stars with my Tak while quite a few of my friends with Dobs, SCTS and Newts are all fine ornaments in their houses or garages.
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Planetman, the suggestion of a small refractor was mine, but due to me not understanding Chucky's desire of wanting 300x+ mag for planets in particular, so a small refractor ain't gonna cut it. Having said that, I myself have travelled the path of Newt, to 8inch SCT, to refractor - and I have similarly become a dedicated refractor nut like yourself. In keeping with Chucky's original intent, IMHO you would something close to a 6 inch refractor. Such a scope would need to be semi-apo at least, to be practical, and we are talking big bucks here (like an NP127).