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I am going to disagree with the smaller is better opinions.

I think large attention getting scopes are best for the public. They show objects the way they should be seen and in a way no smaller telescope can.

For over 20 years a hauled the 9" refractor to hundreds of star parties. A 9" refractor on a GEM has a presence, it is a draw. Many of our star parties were cunducted on grocery store parking lots. Passerbys notice a big telescope, that looks like a telescope, when it stick 14 feet into the air. It gets their attention, and then delivers.

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If you're selling a particular scope, smaller is probably better, since no one on earth(except you) can offord the 9" Clark, when starting out. But to keep with the thread theme, a big Refractor mounted high, imposes an impression that *THIS* is astronomy. Everyone is drawn to big, be it a Newt, a Schmidt, or from my own experiences, a large, very familiar looking Refractor. It is the refractor that has been impregnated into the minds of the general public. From historical images, to cartoons, the refractor stands out in the public eye as what a telescope looks like. Now as the public is educated by all of us, they learn that other large designs are just as impressive.

Big...always draws attention. I have been at gatherings were some body said, *Look at the telescope..(Pointing at a refractor)..*what is that*..(pointing at a shrowded Dob). It all depends on the education/perception of the crowd.

Rob(Of course..I'm probably a total idiot)

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