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-ruled out an sct because of the collimation issues-

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????? Collimation issues with an SCT? And you're considering a reflector or a Mak?

Every scope you mentioned, except your refractor, may have to be collimated sometime. Of the four SCTs I have in my posession, I had to collimate two of them (one time each) and haven't touched them since. The task was easier than you can imagine and I don't consider that to be an issue worth worrying about.

I agree with most folks - for DSO you want as much aperture as you can handle. For me that is now a C925 SCT. I also have a C11 SCT and use it when I feel like hauling it outside. A 10-12 inch Dob would be nice, but then you have to wrestle the heavy tube, do the nudging thing, and collimate it regularly.

To get a Mak with enough aperture (8 inches minimum), you are talking serious money - but I've been told it's worth it if you can afford it.

Food for thought,

Ron

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Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.

Orion XT12i / Moonlite CR2 "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102 Apo

Three Ethos and a 31T5 "The Heavenly Quartet"
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier

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