Quote:
Originally Posted by madbadgalaxyman
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".
|
Again, very true!
Quote:
Originally Posted by barx1963
The worst beginners scope is a small newt on a wobbletronic EQ mount or a small go to ( I have had both and know all about them) When I look at the online telescope retailer around these day and see these things in the beginners section I get so irritated. It only serves to drive people away from our wonderful hobby.
Malcolm
|
Ditto! A real frustration, but people get taken by purchase-fever.
I currently favour my 10" Dob over my 8", but only because the 8" is mounted on an HEQ5 Pro. The Dob is so much easier to set up AND USE, than the EQ-mounted 8" - both take two trips to set up.
However, if I did have an 8" Dob, then it would get used more than the 10", because I could lift the whole 8" Dob with mount in one trip. It would get used even more than my grab-and-go 70mm refractor - in this case aperture rules, OK!
I would LOVE to have a 12" Dob (16", even better
), but I know that it would not get used as much as a 10", or 8". If I had to carry a hot water tank-sized Dob and mount out every session, then I would not be out as often as I am.
There is too much choice now, and it's very easy to fall victim to aperture fever, for a marginal benefit under normal city-based observing. There is a balance to be made between how often you want to observe, what you want to observe, and how convenient it is to observe. However, if you have a permanent setup, the 'rules' can change quite a bit!
The big driver here is motivation. If your passion for observing is greater than your concern for convenience, then go for it!