52 replies to this topic

[MeridianStarGazer]

Caveat emptor, my friends.

Social media is full of… ads from newly created entities offering telescopes at prices too good to be true.

The red lights are on and flashing!

Google click ads too.

When models are sold at vastly different prices between places, I don't trust the lower one.

[astro.nanuuuuuu]

As others have mentioned, I'd keep the 8" and use it. I've had both, 8" and 10" and the difference in performance is not that significant. I sold my 10" and kept my 8". Later, I got a 12". (I posted here earlier with a photo.)

 

I used my 8" las night, actually. The night was hazy and a bit cloudy. Transparency was not good, but I saw M6, M7, and the False Comet in Scorpius. Great views!

 

Clear skies.

[MeridianStarGazer]

My most used scope ever was a 4.5" f8 on an alt AZ mount tripod. It was just so easy to take out in one hand.

I had a 6" f5 mini dob I also used, but required sitting on the ground. Better for my ankles. I still used the 114mm more.

The 8" and larger scopes are just enough hassle that I did not take them out as much. Multiple trips are required. And 10" is very likely limited by the atmosphere for planets and will have less resolution off axis without a coma corrector.

I have an 80mm f5 refractor on a photo tripod with modified head to put the center of mass at center of rotation. It is bright enough to show galaxies, wide enough to frame big star clusters, and has enough power to show some planetary details. Best of all, it gives good daytime views of ant hills and flowers closer than if I got my face over there.

To see plenty direct vision details inside DSO, you need bigger aperture, 14"-20", and it still heavily depends on sky conditions and dark adaptation. I prefer to look for scopes that are multi purpose and great bang for effort.

To get to 10" and above, you start looking at f5 and below, fancier eyepieces, coma correctors, bigger vehicles or fewer seats. 8" is a good size for a big scope.

Big mirrors have less depth of focus.

Edited by MeridianStarGazer, 13 July 2025 - 10:48 AM.