Hello I have this question about the quality of telescope and looking for some opinions. I currently own a Synta SW BKP 200DS - 200x 1000 F5 Newtonian and it's not bad at all, for the price it must be a real challenge to beat, just like the Orion Dobs and other affordable tubes with good reputation.
But, I am sure I could benefit from higher quality mirrors today with another premium 8" telescope. I have one in mind right now which has precise mirror tested 1/10 PV, it's F6 instead of F5 and even a bit lighter then my current one, for visual only. I read that a well built 8" Newtonian with very precise mirrors, precise collimation, might very well surpass a 10" in contrast and for the overall quality of the views.
Even light gathering because of the better coating and the overall precision of the parable of the mirror, more light is supposed to be concentrated at the right place in the system.
A premium 8" matching a mass market 10" in brightness with less weight and size, that's a serious selling argument for me right now.
My question is the following:
As anyone replaced their regular 8" Synta Newtonian with a higher quality 8" Newtonian and how was your experience? My current telescope I paid approximately 1100CAD for it with a EQ5 and the telescope, the OTA alone was around 700CAD with taxes. The new telescope I have my eyes on would cost me over 2100CAD for the OTA and rings only (that is including a couple of bills for border duty) and the primary is 1/10PV.
It's an important expenditure for me and I would like to test first it if would be a great upgrade, if you want to share your story with me.
NOTE: Getting a larger telescope then 8" is not what I want, I already think a good 12" Synta would easily beat a premium 8" I am interested by the 8" because if it's low weight especially.
Please feel free to tell me what you think.