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I went 6 f5.5 to 10.1 f6.4 to 16 f4.5 with approx 2.8x and 2.6x increase in brightness as I stepped up. The largest I have looked through is 20 f5 and I clearly remember Omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae noticeably more spectacular in the 20 than I am seeing in the 16 but the observations were many years apart. I have looked through a 14 but this was also a very long time ago when I only had my 6.
The 16 gives noticeably brighter views with more detail than the 10.1 and I prefer using it even though the 10.1 has an exquisite Suchting mirror and the 16 is a Meade factory mirror albeit a reasonably good sample.
A 14 is a nice step up from not only 10 but also 12 and is preferred by those that dont quite want the bulk of a 16, (at least in Meades large footprint for their 16 Lightbridge). You will get a near 2x increase in brightness with the 14 over the 10 which is quite noticeable. Planetary nebulae and galaxies will offer more detail with more light at the higher power compared with the 10.
My ultimate telescope to retire with would be a 12.5 f5.5 (not 12) with a Suchting mirror either with ServoCAT for tracking only, not GOTO or on an EQ platform in which case Id want f5 so I can stand at zenith without a step.
Whatever you choose, enjoy!
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