Well, last night I thought I’d settle the matter once and for all. Which has the edge, optically speaking, S-C or Newtonian.
Temperature was a bearable 12 deg. and humidity 45-50% so out they both went at 9:00 pm to cool down for about 30 mins.
The main target was obvious - Jupiter.
The Meade was nice at 118X with the 17mm and OK at 133X with a 15 mm GS plossl. The shadow of a moon was apparent with both views. I thought the seeing would hold up with the 11 mm., but not tonight. The cloud belts degenerated to bands with little detail.
Now for the 10” Bintel Newt: Started with the 11 mm (114X) for a similar power to the Meade/17 mm. Brilliant! More cloud detail immediately apparent. Next was the 8 mm. (156X); still good detail with little loss in detail. Lastly, 6 mm. View broke down here, which was odd considering that about a week ago just after some rain, the view still held up at 208X.
Then came about 3 hours sky tour which included E. Car., O. Cent., Cent. A, clusters and nebulae in Scorpius and Sag. M87 in Virgo; And yes, the M87 view was only that, a view but I find it overwhelming to think that the light we see now left when the dinosaurs still had a few million years to live. That it can be seen at all in 8-10 inch scopes is something to be wondered at.
Finally, the Ring nebula got a going over towards 1.30 am. Main difference was marginally more contrast inside the ring for Newt.
I am left with the firm impression that the reflector design showed its superiority on every target. If I am ever to get another scope it will be a Newtonian in 16-18 inches.
It should be said that the Meade is no slouch and the red dot LNT finder was used to locate the fuzzies for the Newt.
Both scopes are in good shape according to the tools and testing guides that I have.
Not interested in starting an astronomical WWIII. I have no intention of off-loading the Meade which is an great combination of opbcs and portability.
Again, the post was not intended as a test; rather, a report of my thoughts after an observing session just as the thread title said. Just stated what my eyes saw at the time.
Thanks Mark and we understand that your not SCT bashing...just making an observation but honestly if the 10" Newt at F6 didn't perform better then a 8" SCT at F10 I would be taking the Newt back.....I think if the question was asked everyone would agree with you that the newt is superior for visuals.
