Dobs or Refactors

I agree with Dave, how deep are your pockets and how's your physical condition? There's little point in spending five grand on a huge dob if you live on the tenth floor with only a small balcony and are incapable to moving it about.

There's a saying that goes: "the best scope you have is the one you use the most."

Keep looking at the scopes of colleagues and you should eventually find one that suits.

No i have an ideal location south east coast no light pollution....would be a permanent setup...my condition aint a problem yet anyway :lol: il give it good thought do...thanks chaps

I wouldn't go for either, I chose a reflector the same size as a dob of the same price, but on an EQ mount. Makes more sense to me.

I wouldn't go for either, I chose a reflector the same size as a dob of the same price, but on an EQ mount. Makes more sense to me.

Maybe so for smaller scopes, but the sheer mass and size of a mount required to adequately mount a 12" reflector would surely be a much bigger burden. I don't think I've ever seen one outside of a permanent observatory setup.
You should try caring around a 20" reflector on a equatorial mount :lol:

I wouldn't go for either, I chose a reflector the same size as a dob of the same price, but on an EQ mount. Makes more sense to me.

Maybe so for smaller scopes, but the sheer mass and size of a mount required to adequately mount a 12" reflector would surely be a much bigger burden. I don't think I've ever seen one outside of a permanent observatory setup.
You should try caring around a 20" reflector on a equatorial mount :lol:

Yeah. But in this case where a dob is being compared to a refractor, there is no way scales of 20" are being talked about, unless the guy is a millionaire. If for some reason he is referring to 12" scopes then sure, a dob is a better option than an EQ mount, but a decent refractor would be much too expensive, so I believe that the option of an 8" scope on an EQ mount is better than an 8" refractor for price reasons, and better than an 8" dob for various reasons. Or else go for a 12" dob instead of a lower aperture refractor or EQ mounted scope.

So I say, unless you can afford an 8"+ refractor, go for an 8" EQ mounted reflector, or else a 12 inch dobsonian for the reason Dave gave.

I'd agree with your conclusion Euronymous, although my lottery investment fund continues to try and raise funds for the 20" equatorial