Telescope Reviews: OK......NOW I AM REALLY CONFUSED...(scope choice)

Jim,

The 8" dob is a "sweet spot" for most bang,...err view , for the buck. If storage ,stairs, and a place to set it up are not problems then it can be a very good scope for you. Don't even think about carrying it in one trip unless on a wheeled cart .The two parts are much easier to carry one at a time.

Go to one of those star parties or a store that has a few scopes IF you possibly can ,and ask permission to actually pick up the scope.

Note that between 6" and 8" Dobs, I found the 6" noticeably easier to carry and did not notice a difference in viewing,but did not compare side-by-side.A point in favor of the 6" is that less exotic EPs perform well in the usual f8 length.There is no doubt the 8" will gather more light and has potentially a bit higher resolution.

If you discover even a full size 6" dob is too much physically,I suggest the Orion Starblast 6 if a sturdy,stable table is at your viewing spot.

And defintely get some sort of chair or drummer's stool.Even if it is just a resin lawn chair and a stack of cushions to boost you when needed.

I too, have back problems and the contortions needed to look through a straight finder are very uncomfortable.

A right angle finder will save you from that pain.I prefer right angle viewfinder on any Newtonian however it is mounted.Even have a RA on my 4.5" Dob!Often overlooked is that a 8 to 10 power 50 or 60mm finder is a modest rich field telescope on its own.

A Telrad is no less awkward and back straining than any other straight through finder.

Any straight through finder would probably be fine if mounted on a 10 or 12 inch riser so no contortions were needed to use it!Except no one offers such a riser commercially.

Finally ,note that a Celestron 6SE weighs only 30 pounds set up.You could easily carry out the 9 pound tripod then the 20 pound scope,and then the battery(power tank) and lens,etc.One more trip for the chair if it can't be left out.

The advantage of the SCT (c6SE) is your viewing position changes probably the least of any common scope so less need to constantly adjust chair height.

Try to get at least the 6" version of whatever scope as applying the "aperture in inches times 50" rule for useful magnification results in 300X which is also often the useful limit due to seeing conditions.6" and 8" scopes make a lot of sense for people who are wanting to explore the heavens with limited time,budget, or weight-lifting.