Good stuff, Jeff. Some comments...
> While gawking at bright(er) objects, a leap from 15 to 18 inches is not a
> great leap. However if you go "DEEP" the 18 can make a difference. If you are
> going to go after some really obscure and challenging PNebs or BNebs (B being
> a misnomer here), the 18 can make the difference between detecting and not.
> If you are not an "Amastro kinda guy*", then I agree with Rob (gasp!) the 15
> is just dandy and you can use the extra coin to buy other goodies.
And Mark also pointed out that you should match the size to your car, strength,
storage space, etc. As the old adage goes, "the best scope is the one that
gets used" and doesn't sit around gathering dust.
> Finally as someone pointed out, I think of BIG dobs as anything over 20
> inches as they tend to have a 'presence' of size that smaller scopes miss out
> on.
I took my parents up to the NW lot at Freaky Peak one night, about seven or
eight years ago. Believe me, the 18" Dobs definitely impressed them with their
'presence'! <grin>
Cheers,
Paul Sterngold
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