Been a long time lurker here, only posted a few times. (as I haven't had a scope in a very long time)
I just bought a 12" DOB in the last few days, yet to pick it up.
Owned a 76mm Refractor and a 4 1/2" Newt Reflector over 15 years ago.
Both of which served me greatly.
But what you guys have posted is spot on in the purpose vs portability.
Always the topic of buying a scope.
After many reviews, watched many TV shows about scope designs and practicability for all these designs, read here (IIS), I bought my 12" for purpose. I don't intend to shift it far as the backyard, it will do for starters.
I am used to heavy lifting and moving heavy objects around.
I own a Falcon wagon which has plenty of room for it.
So in the portability sense, it doesn't phase me, however any bigger will probably just start to phase me.
But a TV show, told me, the bigger you go, the more times you have to go up and down a ladder. So I took that on board.
I chose what I wanted to get out of it (12"), but accepted that a little pain is necessary in order to achieve it.
I don't intend to go any bigger, as a 12" should do what I want it to do.
So now, it's a case of designing a motor system (platform) to get the tracking right. So many designs going through my head and all before I got the 12" DOB... lol.
Just so keyed up
makes your decision easier and reduces buyers remorse!
