Quote:
Originally Posted by Scorpius51
Spot on, Robert!
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When I was "growing up"(astronomically!) in the 1970s, way back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, the biggest instrument we could usually afford was a 6 inch telescope. So we learnt to handle telescopes properly using smallish instruments and we learnt to observe using modest Light Gathering Power.
It takes
time and effort to learn how to use telescopes and to learn how to use your eyes to observe. It is easier to do this with a 6 inch or an 8 inch than with a 10-12 inch.
We didn't have large apertures available cheaply, in those days. There was no temptation "to go too big", as anything over 6 inches was expensive.
I, personally, favour an 8 inch Dob for beginners, though I am aware that some of my fellow experienced amateurs would say "go for a 10 inch Dob". However, I know of some people (for instance some people of the female gender), for whom a 10 inch Dob is too big to handle easily.