Re: 14" verses 12"


andy wrote:
There is a big difference in purchase price between an 8" SCT and a 16"
SCT. For an all around telescope what size do you guys think is about
right. I guess the question is for observing is there any great
difference between a 12" and a 14"? Is it really that much better to
justify the cost??

Andy

Hi:

There's a difference--there is no denying that. But it's not a huge
one, and the increase in performance must be balanced against (the lack
of) portability of a fork mounted 14 vice a 12, and the not
inconsiderable increase in price. If we can include Celestron scopes
(since you mention a 12, I assume you are thinking "Meade"), the GEM
mount C14, the CGE1400, is more portable than either.

It depends on the observer in the long run. For me, a Nexstar 11 is as
far a I'm willing to go for a portable/transportable scope.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of: _Choosing and Using an SCT_, and _The Urban Astronomers's
Guide_.
_http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html_
(http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html)

.

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