Hi Pete and
, mate .
You are right about this site , its awsome in every way great people with big hearts .
On a new scope , you need to think about what you want to observe and where you will be observing from .
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Eg . if you have to travel a 10 inch Dobsonion is probably as big as you will move easily in a car , where as a 14-16 inch is easily transported in a ute or van ( getting BIG here ) .
If you live in a unit
up stairs an 8 inch dob is as big as I would go , so there are a lot of variables to consider , but I would say the concensous here will be a 10 inch Dob , great starter scopes , easy to set up and use and will last you years .
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They pop up here from time to time , but even brand new from all the main suppliers they are very well priced .
Have a google .
Brian.