Should You Buy an 8" or 10" Dob? I Answer This Important, Pressing Question!!

I've talked about this issue before, but I've been getting so many questions lately I felt this topic deserved its own video. Hope this helps you decide.
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Orion Starblast Telescope amzn.to/3N3GYp9
Zhumell Z114 Telescope (same as the Orion Starblast) amzn.to/363jVdH
Orion XT6 Telescope (new version as of 2022) amzn.to/3z4TBuz
Orion XT8 Telescope (new version as of 2022) amzn.to/3FN54SX
Sky-Watcher 6” Dobsonian Telescope amzn.to/3CXUZAi
Sky-Watcher 8” Dobsonian Telescope amzn.to/3wkAQmt
TeleVue 24mm Panoptic (my favorite 1.25” eyepiece) amzn.to/3NtKHwl
TeleVue 13mm Nagler Type 6 eyepiece amzn.to/3t248F4
TeleVue 7mm Nagler Type 6 eyepiece amzn.to/31xtq2q
TeleVue Everbrite 1.25” Diagonal amzn.to/3JWEveT
TeleVue 2X Barlow (Much better than the cheap throwaway barlows found in cheap scopes) amzn.to/335DAaI
Heated gloves amzn.to/2R45aiW
Heated vest amzn.to/3nVoefs
Small planisphere amzn.to/2JAGvyK
Large planisphere amzn.to/3qsiRFh
The Cambridge Star Atlas amzn.to/3mDAakC
The Stars: A New Way To See Them amzn.to/3lvEUaA
Sky & Telescope's Pocket Star Atlas amzn.to/2VrcDrb
The 21st Century Atlas of the Moon amzn.to/3bsk4Hk
Turn Left at Orion (good beginner’s book about finding stuff) amzn.to/3fYPRQQ
My tiny 8X21 binoculars are here amzn.to/39RdfyP
A decent pair of 7X35 binoculars amzn.to/3mESBoV
A decent pair of 7X50 binoculars amzn.to/3g6amLB
The Orion 8X42 binoculars are here amzn.to/37vW1UK
Camera used for filming amzn.to/38QrkLv
Camera I’m using for 4K video and some B-Roll amzn.to/3D1pOmk
The lens I use for filming (80% of the time) amzn.to/38QIN6i
The lenses used for filming the rest of the time (17-40 f/4 and 24-70 f/4) amzn.to/3cITdpV and amzn.to/3ns4cck
My tripod amzn.to/2OEDhNo
My ballhead amzn.to/3cLeLSW
The softboxes I use amzn.to/3qSDp91
Wireless mic: amzn.to/3tQcRHv
My astrophotography book contains advice on telescopes observing, and taking pictures (based on my award-winning Dartmouth thesis, June 2020) 255 pages, 258 color images: amzn.to/2Jt1O5o
Top Three Recommended Beginner’s Telescope Video: • Top 3 Beginner's Teles...
Top Beginner’s Astronomy Books: • Top Beginner's Astrono...
For Complete Beginners, Part 1: • Getting Started in Ama...
For Complete Beginners, Part 2: • For ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS...
Hundreds of other telescope reviews on my web site at:
www.scopereviews.com

[@markihde4381]

I went with the 10" because it makes a more impressive living room ornament when I'm not outside using it!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

"It's so Big!" "Well, thank you. Thank you very much."

[@jwg9338]

My 10" dob was my pick when I had a dark night with no moon. However at my last trip to my dark sky preserve, myself with girlfriend in tow, realized the two of us didn't fit in the car while trying to pack it in the car (it was just a smidge too wide to go through the rear-seat pass-through)! I used to be a solo astronomer, but not anymore. Now it's up for sale, I'll stick with my 8" SCT or 4" apo. Lost light gathering, but gained an amazing astro buddy!

[@MikeLikesChannel]

The 8” SCT is a much more “social scope” because you can still fit people in the back seat, since the whole kit fits in the trunk/cargo area.

[@benwesdorp]

I've been to star parties and seen 8, 10, 12, and 14 inch dobsonian in person, but you don't realize how big they are until you try to put one in your car. Found a good deal on a used 8 inch and couldn't be happier.

[@A_BLACKMANUSMC]

I thought I was pretty strong until I asked someone to see if they needed help loading their 10 Inch don in their car. I had to walk about 40yrds I thought crap it's heavy!

[@scrumpymanjack]

I'd go with a 10 inch every day of the week. I dont experience a major difference in portability - its not like you can out the 8 inch in your pocket! They're also the same length. For the added brightness, its a no brainer for me.

[@Astro_Ash_Jeremy]

Good point 👌🏻 I went with neither tho. And end it up buying a Celestron 8s. I almost change my mind at last minute and got a 12. That thing is massive 😂

[@markfletcher8084]

At my age (68) I enjoy my 8 inch Dobsonian. I think the 10 inch would be too much.

[@TheKnightTim]

Dear Ed, Over the last few months I've been going through your catalogue of videos again. I've been making notes on all your eyepiece recommendations, the pros/ cons of each different type and size of telescope, and I'm trying to learn the night sky with the telescope I have (5.1inch skywatcher newtonian on an equatorial mount) and using a planeosphere. Also apparently I can't get enough of your content. You have a very clear, concise and calm way you present which never gets old and has so many nuggets of information to digest from years of experience. Please keep producing your videos with the same care you do, they are valued greatly by many like me. Hopefully I'll be able to take the next step in astronomy soon and dare I say astro photography once I have saved some money! Kind regards, Tim (From the Uk)

[@Dobviews]

As a newbie, please don't make my mistake if you have astigmatism issues. Make sure your lenses will compliment your natural eyeballs too! Clear Skies!*

[@usmanshahid8069]

One more thing to consider. These 10-inch Dobsonians are usually f/5 instruments as compared to the 8-inch versions, which tend to have a focal ratio of 6. That means the collimation in a 10-inch model needs to be even more precise than in an 8-inch Dobsonian. This makes collimating a 10-inch Dobsonian more challenging as the margin for error is smaller.

[@bcrocks3935]

this!👆 Not to mention a slower f ratio will be more forgiving with eyepieces. seems like the jump down from f6 to f5 is more critical than above f6.

[@usmanshahid8069]

Yes, you are right! The quality of the eyepieces becomes important at focal ratios of 5 and lower.

[@scrumpymanjack]

@@usmanshahid8069 wouldn't having good-quality eyepieces be in everyone's best interest? And no, you don't have to be a millionaire to have good eyepieces. Also. Collimation takes two minutes. What's the big deal?

[@diablo2815]

Traveling with an 8" to dark skies will always be better than a 10" in bright skies.

[@shubhamcweb]

10” to dark skies even better! 😃

[@MikeLikesChannel]

@@shubhamcwebMore weight to load in the car. At f/4.7-5, less tolerant of cheaper eyepieces and sloppy collimation.

[@shubhamcweb]

@@MikeLikesChannel “I” think 10” f/5 is the best value (with a Paracorr) in terms of light gathering and resolution while being portable enough to fit in almost any car. But again, different people, different opinions.

[@scrumpymanjack]

False choice: you can travel to dark skies with a 10. Same length as an 8 just wider. Zero sweat.

[@_rlb]

Ed has been recommending 8" Dobs for years. I thought I knew better than him and bought a 10". Used it once, found it too bulky and too heavy, sold it to our astronomy club. Have only been using my 6" and 8" SCTs instead :)

[@MikeLikesChannel]

The C8 is the gold standard for good reason. Best balance of aperture, weight/bulk, and performance. I love Dobs… but I have 2 kids I go observing with and a 1 row SUV. There’s not enough room for a Dob tube in the backseat and 2 kids back there.

[@gamelegend3727]

I recently bought an 8 inch dobsonian. I was considering a 10 or 12 but I’m so happy with the 8 inch. The views are spectacular compared to my previous power seeker 127 eq. But at the same time it’s quite easy to take outside and setup, granted it’s harder than I think many people admit, it’s easy but is definitely something you think about after a long week on a Friday night. I’m both happy with the mobility, less sensitive to improper collimation , and less coma. Well worth the worse views in my opinion.

[@ulisessolis3182]

I also upgraded from a Powerseeker 127 to a 8 inch dobsonian. Agree, the 8 inch is better and easier to assemble. Still use the Powerseeker sometimes

[@petset77]

There's no comparison. If yours was a Powerseeker 127EQ, even a 76mm tabletop reflector is a better tool. ...but congratulations on your 8" dob.

[@taraswertelecki3786]

I have yet to meet an 8-inch Dob that does not offer pleasing views, I have a 6 and 10-inch Dob but looked through a good many 8-inch Dobs too. At a good site, they will get people started and keep them observing for many years.

[@richiewitkowski7142]

I have a 10 inch SkyWatcher: I am pretty young and dont mind the weight, but I bought the 10 inch because I own a Mustang convertible, and I cannot get an 8 inch nor the 10 inch in that vehicle. I use my dads truck whenever I go anywhere stargazing so to me it didn't matter I just figured I wanted the extra power...The 8 inch weight/size is much more convenient though regardless. Also want to point out because it wasnt mentioned in the video; the bigger the scope, the more you amplify light pollution in your views! Some things still wont be visible until you find a very dark sky.

[@cryptojihadi265]

Do you have some good nebula filters, that can really help. I notice they have limited utility with an 8" as it just doesn't gather enough light to create enough contrast once you put on the filter. What really surprised me was that even going to a really dark Bortle 2 site with my 18" Dob, many of the nebula are still barely visible without a nebula filter. It just gathers so much deep sky light that it still tends to wash out the Halpha and OIII emissions, but a solid nebula-filter just makes them really stand out. Even the Dumbell, Ring, Omega and Lagoon nebula, which are fairly easy to see without the filter, still benefit tremendously with a nebula filter. But the Veil Nebula, I can BARELY see it without a filter. I haven't tried the big scope with a filter at my home with it's bortle 6 skies, but will see how much it helps.

[@patricksalisbury1842]

@@cryptojihadi265 It's actually interesting to me that you find the Veil difficult through an 18" even at a dark site. I can see the veil pretty easily in my 18" from home without a filter (bortle 5) and even from bortle 4 I can start to see some finer detail in especially the ngc 6960 section. That being said, nebula filters will always help tremendously because they also cut down on the natural airglow that you will get anywhere on earth even in a perfect bortle 1.

[@cryptojihadi265]

@@patricksalisbury1842 Trust me, I was shocked too, the first time I went out. I can detect it, but I was thinking I would see a lot more. I remember seeing more with my 8", no filters, out at a Bortle 4, maybe 5 site. It's just that it's so bright, with all the stars you can see. I have two filters I use, one is the DGM NPB, which is great on some as it's not too dark, still lets you see some of the star field, but kills enough of the brightness to really highlight the nebula. Then I have a narrower band filter that makes it really dark, so about all you see is the OIII emissions. Depending on the object, one is better than the other. But I assumed going to a dark sky site, it wouldn't matter, I wouldn't even need one. The Omega and Dumbell are easy to see with or without a filter, but even the Lagoon is a huge improvement with a filter compared to without. Any ideas what the issue could be? I don't think it's collimation, I use the Glatter Tool Set which is very precise. But while I've got the ear of an 18" owner, I wonder what you experience is with it on planets? I have the Carl Zambuto mirror which is supposed to be so accurate it can rival a high end apo, and for VERY brief moments it does, but most of the time the seeing kills some of the detail and it just doesn't compare to my TEC 160FL. Now I can usually get a bigger image without the quality going to hell, but it just doesn't compare except for those brief moments, and maybe that's just the curse of an 18" dob, it has the capacity for insane detail, but unless the skies are perfect it's going to be a victim of all that atmosphere grabbing capacity.

[@johnreilly8672]

Great tip for those out there who use a 6in. 8in. or 10in. and I would even argue a12in. Dob is get a drum stool ! I use to get frustrated trying to find the right chair for observing. I have had a drum "throne" for about 15yrs. now and won't stargaze without it! Save your back and get one. JMR

[@Litespeedultimate]

Thanks Ed, you answered all my questions with this video.

[@mahyar305]

Many thanks, very thorough and informative.

[@ishanr8697]

I have a 12 inch "semi-truss" design and I can tell you the killer features: 1. Can be used for imaging, visual and binoviewing. Very few telescopes can incorporate all 3. 2. The extra vertical space is very handy for shipping- uses smaller boxes (for moving house) compared with solid tube. 3. Holds collimation better than traditional truss-tube and faster to set up. I'm very happy with it and especially enjoy binoviewing with a big aperture. I also have a 4 inch Mak permanently set out and ready to go and just sling it in a backpack.

[@marcfitkin8789]

This is a great video for our local Astronomy Outreach. Thanks Ed.

[@bmwm530jahreedition8]

This guy is a hero! Love it!

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I’ve had the 8 and I’ve had the 10. The 8 is the best all-arounder. The 10 is great if you have very dark skies at home and the scope just rolls in/out of garage to the driveway for immediate use. Hint: If you’ve got a Target and lots of suburbs within a 10 minute drive of your house, you have bright skies and will be hitting the road for proper observing - get an 8. If you need to pack up the scope and drive to a dark site, your back will appreciate the 8” and the darker skies will make the aperture difference moot.

[@nasserghaffaritehrani533]

you are very honest and i can trust you what you said many thanks

[@AstroGuy99]

Another great video, Ed. I've owed 6, 8, 10 and 12-inch Dobs in the past. Several years ago I settled on the 8-inch as my personal "sweet spot". I will probably keep this scope forever and may never buy any other size.

[@ba2724]

Ed, you spit out truth like a cowboy spit out gooey tobacco in the 1880s. A lot! My ego always wants the bigger aperture, but deep down, the 8" tube option is simply the best choice. Simple is good in this regard.

[@Wild_Bill57]

Excellent video with a very well delivered explanation of the difference between the two and the rationale behind your argument. As some who’s thinking about traveling around the country and wanting to maybe get a telescope, you’ve helped me deal with my fear of not getting one that’s big enough.

[@anjconsultant6832]

Have a Birthday coming up - I cannot stress how often I have watched this video. I think it'll be the 8" - thanks Ed. Keep doing what you do. It's great.

[@Rationalmethod995]

I bought an 8" dob on your advice and I absolutely love it. I hardly ever wish the aperture were bigger, and I'm grateful it isn't bigger exactly twice every time I use it: when I'm getting it out and when im putting it up.

[@ernestgary6812]

Very helpfull video... im planning on a purchace for my daughters first telescope... im going to watch your catalog of videos and you earned a subscriber

[@LiquidREAP]

I'm loving my apertura ad8. It has so many nice upgrades that came with it.

[@daisymundo2826]

Video i needed. Will get an 8 inch for my hubby. Thank you!

[@russhendrix9674]

A couple of years ago I purchased a 10" DOB. I regret the purchase and wish i had gotten the 8". The 10" is just too heavy to carry around.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Came to the same conclusion. Donated the 10 and bought an 8. Been very happy ever since.

[@JustFor-dq5wc]

Thank you. Well done video!

[@Mr.Scotty96]

This was a great video, thanks. I currently own a Celestron 4.5 inch refractor, but have been wanting to upgrade. I think I am going with the 8 inch. I almost decided to get the 10 inch, but you had such good valid points, that, the 8 inch is the more logical choice for me, and a fairly significant upgrade from 4.5 inches. Expertly done and explained, thanks again!

[@missouriskies]

Another great video. Thanks so much. Back in the 90's I chose to build a 10" f/6 because of plans I found in a book and the larger aperture. I tend not to use it as much and use an 8-inch instead only because of the portability factor. I also want to take care and lessen the damage to my 10-inch because I made it and want to take better care of it. My 10-inch that I made is a dream to use functionally, however, because I had control of the construction.

[@tanmaychatterjee83]

Thank you Ed for making this video. I was having this doubt for a very long time that which telescope should i buy as a beginner. Your videos are always very fantastic and this time also you made a very informative video which i think will help many people in taking their decision. Thank you once again 🎉🎉😊😊😊😊🎉

[@dutchcountryman1290]

Another great video, Ed! I think it needs to be emphasized that newcomers sometimes assume objects will look bigger in a scope with bigger aperture. But if the scopes have the same focal length, as most 8 and 10 inch Dobs do, the objects won't look any bigger as you go up in aperture. DSOs *might* look brighter and more detailed, yes, but not bigger. For bright objects like the Moon and planets there might be no noticeable difference in brightness and certainly not in size. Which one would I pick? Neither! I love my XT6!

[@nickgruber2593]

Great content as always

[@tywoodruff8578]

Thank you for yet another wonderful video and the great information. I asked about a 6” in one of your other videos, but am now leaning toward one of two used telescopes in great condition…an 8” (Zhumell Z8, f5.9) for under $400 or a 10” (Orion SkyQuest XT10, f5.1) at $650. Several factors in considering the two aren’t concerns for me. I am still in good health, so the weight difference isn’t an issue, nor is cost. We live in a rural area of the Texas Hill country and I have wonderful dark skies right outside my back door, so I wouldn’t likely be moving the telescope more than in and out of the house. As a side note, I didn’t realize until recently that we have five International Dark Skies Communities in the Hill Country, all within an hour drive, and including the town I live in, Dripping Springs. But I digress. All that said, the 8” being used more makes sense. Something that wasn’t mentioned in the video but that someone in the comments did touch on (and that I read somewhere else) is coma, collimating and quality of eyepieces needed for the faster 10” vs. the 8”, all factors in favor of the 8”. As my own devil’s advocate, I wonder if the 10” might be better for someone getting up in age (I’m 64), as our eyes receive less light the older we get. I just saw a statistic that said a 60 year olds eyes receive one-third the light of a 20 year old. One side of me says get the 10” as I will appreciate the extra light gathering capability. The other side says buy the 8” and use the money I save on eyepieces and other accessories. I flipped a coin. It’s still in the air. Any additional thoughts for my situation?

[@OldCurmudgeon3DP]

Been waffling on 8 vs 10. Probably going conservative w/ an 8. It'd also be easier to mount on an EQ or wedge later.

[@CoronaWolle]

Hi Ed, knowing you have recommended 6" dobsonians for years, I went ahead and bought an 8", since it was just a little extra to spend for a lot of extra aperture gain. I am happy with the telescope and its performance, though at times I wish I had got the 6" if only due to portability. Buying a 10" briefly crossed my mind and I am very happy I did not get that one, once again due to portability and footprint of the base. Thanks for all your quality videos!

[@jons2447]

"THANK YOU!", Mr. Ting, for an excellent video! I hope to buy a Dob soon & I was considering either an 8" or a 10". I was leaning towards an 8" because it is less expensive. Your video convinced me, I'll be looking at an 8". Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

[@user-kl4hr1vo6h]

I appreciate your perspective. It's been very helpful. Slightly different question that I haven't seen addressed. Focal length. I use a 6" table top reflector. Can see the majority of objects the bad light in my area allows. Easy to set up and move around. Been happy with it except I would like less magnification in some situations and better clarity overall. I'm on the fence about upgrading to a full size 8". The question is if the extra focal length is worth the loss of portability.

[@alasdairmacdonald6730]

Interesting video. I wrestled with the whole 6 or 8 inch question, stuck my neck out and bought an 8. And I love it. From my semi urban location I can see all the planets, a few galaxies, loads of star clusters, etc. Plenty of intersting things to keep me occupied. I haven't managed to get it ro truly dark skies yet but I did buy a small 3.5 inch refractor to take on holiday when car space is at a premium. I have seen plentry with that too and, its useful at home if all you want is a quick view of some of the more obvious targets. I still would like a massive light gathering dob for special occasions.... 😊

[@martinlisitsata]

By chance I have both the 6 and 8 , i cant remember the last time i used the smaller one and that's on tripod . There is a joy sitting on a chair next to the 8 telescope and observing .

[@taylor315]

I have the 8” Celestron and I LOVE it, the starsense app is a game changer. I’m in bortle 4-5 skies and can see basically everything except some nebulas. It also fits right across the back seat of my Accord, though I’m lucky enough to use it mostly at home and don’t have to travel much with it.

[@mashcury]

Fantastic analysis, tx!

[@TheRochy09]

A 10” telescope will resolve more detail than an 8” at higher magnification. I have found this most noticeable when viewing planets.

[@collinsmith1576]

Ed Ting, again, another EXCELLENT video. I agree completely, a 10" scope often ends up being "too much" scope. They aren't THAT much more than the 8", but they are more, and they are enough, over time, to make the difference between using something, and not. Personally, I have never been a victim of aperture fever, and my largest scope is an 8" dob, and that's the largest scope I want, but that's me. I know of others who feel differently. I am in relatively good health, not tall at 5'-9.5", but commonly run under a 9 minute mile.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

It's not the weight difference. A 5-gallon can of gasoline or case of wine is about the same weight. It's the awkward bulkiness. I can carry an 8" without disassembly, to my back yard.

[@siberx4]

I previously owned a solid tube 8" dobsonian (my first telescope, which I eventually sold because I do mostly astrophotography now) and I can definitely agree with Ed's assessment here. The 8" gathers plenty of light to see all kinds of interesting targets, and it's still a bit of an exercise to pack it up and take it somewhere for observing. The 10" would definitely be bigger/heavier enough to discourage me from using it as much as the 8".

[@GrnXnham]

Years ago, for my first scope, I went with the 12.5 inch Meade Sonotube Dobsonian. I loved it! I set it up next to the 8 and 10 inch dobs and I enjoyed the fact that I could see more than either of them. The weight and bulk didn't bother me 20 years ago, but now as I get older, and my back isn't what it used to be, I would prefer the 8 or 10 inch. If I could choose today, I would probably go with the 10" dob. It weighs quite a bit less than the 12.5 and there is less of a difference in what I can see than there is between the 12.5 and the 8.

[@brenthann2623]

i have the explorer scientific 10'' truss tube. i love the thing. i live in a fairly dark area and placed it on a 4 wheeled dolly. i just pull it into the center of my drive and when done pull it back into the garage. its great for me for where i live. if i am going to a friends or on vacation i take a 114mm orion table top or my new favorite, a 90mm celestron eq. either of the small scopes provide great views out in the dark country side. they have spurred 3 other people into stargazing.

[@omorfandrasfilandias]

I was trying to reach a conclusion but the price was balancing the light gathering ability and I just couldn't decide, thank you Ed, I appreciate your help, I'm gonna buy the 8inch.

[@phakeacount2228]

Hi, Ed. My first real telescope was an 8" Discovery Dob in 2000, based in part on your recommendation. It was the biggest scope that I could easily fit in my '78 Chevy Nova. I had the mirror recoated last year, and it remains my most-used telescope due to ease of set-up, ease of use, and useful aperture and focal length. There are two caveats about Dobs. They're not necessarily the best if the ground has snow. I tend to use a smaller tripod scope in the rare event we have a clear winter sky. Also, one needs either a folding chair to get down to the eyepiece, or else some kind of "table" to raise the eyepieces.

[@ScottGridleyPHD]

Excellent review as always, and the comments below are spot on. I just want to add my perspective on my choice to buy a 10" over an 8" - the length of the optical tube is exactly the same, so if transporting and fitting your equipment in your car is a primary concern as it was mine, the extra 2" of aperture made no difference in portability and it's not much heavier to carry. A brighter DSO is always worth the extra weight!

[@shreekumark2063]

I am exactly here now. 8 inch or 10 inch. I reluctantly plan for 8 inch and now really happy to have support for my decision! Thanks.

[@cliffwatson8478]

I got a Sky watcher semi truss 8" and not to heavy, and magic to fit in the back of the Pajero 4X4 wagon!

[@Poppageno]

I bought an Orion 8" DOB in the mid 90's. Recently took it to Nevada for the annular eclipse, easy peasy! I used to sit out in a nearby field at night until I got a trail cam and caught pumas walking down my street.

[@edwardeason3756]

The 10"OTA looks fine. The problem lies in the mount. Purchase David Kriege's (Obsession Telescopes) book -The Dobsonian Telescope and read chapter 13 - Making a small telescope. The altitude bearing diameter should be 1.8 times the telescopes O.D. For buttery smooth motion the Formica surfaces should be coated with auto paste wax at least two times a year. I've used my 10" telescope for over thirty years and could not be happier.

[@akharrouby]

I got the 10 inch celestron starsense because I live in the city and I use it mainly in the back yard

[@Platypi007]

Picked up an 8" about 4 years back and I love it. Pretty sure I watched one of your videos then to make my decision! I don't get to use it as much as I would like. Can't see much where I live with all the light pollution in my city, but at least once a year we go on vacation to the coast and I get some wonderful views there when the weather cooperates! I think if I'd gotten a 10" it would be harder to travel with. As it is I fill up my tiny Prius C and half of the space is taken up by telescope. It's nice being able to move it away from the house and onto the boardwalk easily so I can get a better view of the sky.

[@dwtees]

Ed thanks so much for this review. I'm a newbie. I bought a used 8" Meade LX-90. I'm 71 years old but in good health. Like you say the Meade SCT is kind of heavy and sort of a pain to set up. The goto feature is a great learning tool for me as a beginner because I don't know the night sky. I struggled with my self between the 8" and 10" Starsense Explorer. I got the 8". I'm glad I did. Its pretty light easy to set up and the starsense software works great. I was going to get the goto Skywatcher 10". I'm so glad I didn't. The 8" Starsense Explorer is perfect. My next and final plan is to sell my 8" LX-90 Meade and save my bucks for the 9.25 Celestron Edge with the cgem ii polar mount. I would like to comment the 25mm plossl lens that comes with the Starsense Explorer is pretty amazing. I know my 31 mm Nagler is much better but you couldn't prove it by me. The stars in Pleiades could be focused to pinpoints. No 82 mm field of view of course but the included 25mm Celestron Plossl doesn't deserve the bad reviews I have seen here on youtube. The 8" dob is so easy to set up even after I come home tired from work and the 1200 mm focal length is not anywhere near as sensitive to vibration and movement as my 2300 mm focal length 8" LX-90. The Starsense Explorer 8" Dob is much easier to point and find stuff than I ever expected.

[@jackfry3990]

Hey ed love your videos man, Could you do a Tak mewlon review?

[@everydayden5826]

My first real telescope was an Orion 10" Dob. As a member of NHAS I used to bring it to the sky watches at the planetarium in Concord for others to view through after the programs. It was a great telescope, but as time went on it became more of a effort to transport it and even drag it out of the garage to set it up in the driveway. I ended up selling it and buying a 127 Mak/Cass and putting it on a tripod. This is far from perfect and takes longer to set up, but it is lite and portable. The downside is acclimation time. I'm pretty sure that an 8" Dob will be my next purchase as a nice Apo refractor is not in my budget. Ed is right. The best telescope for you is the one you will use, not the one you keep tucked away in a closet somewhere.

[@gregwing6409]

Excellent review with pluses and minuses for each. I have the 10” SkyWatcher truss tube for years now. If you like modifying like me, you can overcome most of any downsides. Optics on mine are great! My downsides are it’s weight with my modifications, better finder scope, better focuser, stiffer rocker box, high quality Pentax XW eyepieces…all added to having to a add a movable weight system to stop the nose diving. I did also add very large circular ALT bearings and replaces the AZ motions with Ebony star and PTFE. Scope woks perfect for me now, but that was a 10 year process. Get the 8” unless you enjoy the modification process like me. Cheers-Greg

[@ronconovoa7566]

great info thank you

[@ogshotglass9291]

This is great information, Ed. You might have seen in a previous video I mentioned about wanting to get a Nexstar Evo 9.25. I have recently reconsidered and am looking to scrounge up for a dob, particularly the Apertura AD8. I am also wanting to look for a very low-power eyepiece of focal lengths above 40mm (preferably 60mm), but it seems very hard to find one and I'm not sure if ones that I am seeing are even good. I hope with your experience you can point me in the right direction.

[@edting]

There is a practical lower limit to magnification based on the exit pupil. For an f/6 system your max practical focal length is about 42 mm, and that is only if you have a perfect 7mm exit pupil. Go any lower and you are wasting light, and some observers get seasick with extra large exit pupils. That is why you see me recommending a 27mm Panoptic so often for an 8" f/6 Dob.

[@abhijitjuvekar]

I have used Sky-watcher 10 inch manual dobsonian for Planetary imaging and it was BIG for moving around, tracking by hand etc. But images it given were exceptional. Now I have an EQ GOTO Mount but it's payload capacity does not support weight of 10 inch OTA for imaging hence I sold away the dobsonian telescope few years ago. Now I am missing it again and this time I am thinking of getting 8 inch dob reason being it also fits weight liimit of my GOTO mount so can be used for dedicated DSO imaging as well as normal visual and planetary imaging.

[@thomasphennigan]

Nice ! Great info

[@bonesshed.]

I have just recently purchased a ten inch. I knew that it would be a faf dragging it in and out of storage all the time so I made a purpose made 'shed' for it which I placed on raised runway of 4 large slabs in the garden. Before I made the shed it certainly was a pain shifting it around ! Now when I want to go out it simply slides out on the castors and is ready to rock. If I hadn't had the space I would have considered the 8".

[@BlueTrane2028]

The percentage you gain as it gets bigger is why I have an 8 and a 12. 10" is less convenient than the 8 and makes me just want my 12. Of course, I use my XT4.5 more than ANY of them.... it's great for quick lunar, planetary and solar (with a full aperture filter). I have a riser I made for it that makes it as comfortable as an 8" to use (same eyepiece height at zenith).

[@edting]

Yes, good point. An 8" and a 12" are one magnitude apart which makes them good companions to have.

[@robOzwrld]

I haven't seen much mention of the go-to versions of these scopes so I wanted to ad my experience with these. I have the Sky-Watcher 8 inch flextube with go-to. Its model 200Pi witch allows you to use a smartphone to control the scope. Let me tell you, this is an awesome telescope! My observing friends and I have a blast using it. A few cons....price.. these near double the price of a manual 8 inch dob. However, if you can grab one on sale I think it's definitely worth the added cost. Con #2...weight..due to the additional weight of the motors and truss tube design, the base and tube are a bit heavier than the manuel version. Just something to be aware of. Other than that I highly recommend the go-to dobs, in particular the 8 inch. Here are a couple tips and modifications I've made to make the scope more user friendly for me. As Ed mentioned, I also prefer the solid tube design over the flextube. I find the flextube easier to move and transport with the tube locked in the fully extended position. I just wrap my arms arount the extension poles to pick it up. It also holds collimation very well this way. This scope and a solid tube dob will fit no problem in something like a Honda Civic. The tube can lay across the back seat and the base in the front passenger side. You will want a light shroud for the flextube. If you're a bit handy, diy with posterboard and black duct tape has worked surprisingly well for me. Big savings over the Astrozap shroud and looks better too imo. Building a short stand has helped raise the scope to a more comfortable viewing position while standing. It's also helpful for keeping the base out of the dewy grass. If the base is wet fom dew at the end of the night I recommend wiping it down before you store it. These particle board bases can easily be damaged by moisture. Taking a few minutes to dry things up can help keep them working properly for many years to come. I hope this was helpful to anyone looking to get one of these scopes. I certainly enjoy mine and highly recommend! Thanks Ed for all the great reviews and video's. Your knowledge and wisdom is greatly appreciated in the hobby!😊

[@qrdnk]

Thanks for your helpful videos, Ed! Greetings from Germany

[@lightbridge1695]

Hi Ed, I personally prefer the visual aesthetics of a truss design compared to a solid tube dobsonian. I can also leave my 8 inch truss tube dob on the mount when transporting it in my car. I have nothing against the solid tube dobsonian but they looks like a hot water system sitting in the corner of my room.

[@astralfields1696]

For me the 8" is the clear winner, by far. I have the 8". I had the chance to observe for few hours with a 8" and 10" from Sky-Watcher side by side. The difference was noticeable but not groundbreaking by any means. If I am going to deal with the downsides of the 10" (weight, f/4.7, price) I might as well go for the 12". So either the 8" or the 12".. I see the 10" as the worst of both worlds. That f/4.7 doesn't work well at all with some of the budget eyepieces I use with no problem in the f/6 8".

[@sidpackard8613]

This was my thinking. If I move somewhere that a dark site is easily accessible, I’ll go for the big guy.

[@astralfields1696]

@@sidpackard8613 I can fit the 12” solid tube in my Hyundai i30 hatchback.. so portability is not as bad as it seems. I did the measurements so I will be getting it sometime in the future. Keeping the 8” probably :)

[@cryptojihadi265]

Couldn't agree more, if you get the deep sky bug, neither the 8 or 10 will fully satisfy, but if you start with the 10, that kind of locks you into going all the way up to a 16 to make any real difference and now you just don't have any quick easy set up scopes. Having an 8 and a 12 or a 16 would be all a deep sky fanatic would ever need for solid quick and easy viewing with the 8 or really impressive serious, but time-consuming viewing at a dark sky site with the 12 or 16.

[@garylawson5381]

I purchased high quality oculars with my 10" Newtonian on a German equatorial mount and have observed views at moments of Good Seeing comparable to the large observatories. Quality oculars make a big difference.

[@clintongryke6887]

Really helpful.

[@robmcginley]

Very happy with my 6" Skywatcher Heritage 150P and 10" Skywatcher 250 Classic

[@rickkearn7100]

Like the rank amateur I am, I bought a 10" Sky Quest (Orion) Dob because I wanted more viewable objects than my 6" gave me. But I ended up selling the 10" and bought an 8" because, true to Ed's opinion, the 8" delivers great viewing at a far lower cost and takes much less effort to transport and store. Who knew? Oh, that's right, Ed did! Cheers.

[@kaboom4679]

I acquired an 8" recently , and while it is a nice scope , the one issue I have is that it is a pain in my back to use , vs either of my 12" dobs , even when viewing at zenith . I would recommend a short sturdy platform for anyone over 5' tall . A good observing chair is also recommended . Honestly , traveling with a dob from 12" down isn't that hard , and is easier as the scope size decreases . Obviously this does depend on your vehicle , and if you drive something that would not look out of place on a department store shelf , smaller would be better . Those of us who own large vehicles ( vans , SUVs , trucks , land yachts , etc ..) will only be limited by our own strength and ancillary cargo / passengers .

[@petset77]

I love my Orion XT8. I recently got a used Apertura AD12. I also really like it very much, and I haven't tweaked it to my ideal comfort level just yet. As Ed said, the "Lazy Susan" az bearing turns a bit too easily. My solution (a "tweak") will be a couple of felt furniture pads that will slow free movement but not cause a jolt start like the XT8 suffers from. I had some adhesive felt pads in a drawer, and they're the prefect thickness for it. (Nights and early morning hours have been clear, so spare hours have been spent out scanning the skies instead of noodling with the mechanics of the scopes). For the XT8 and it's az issue, I've gotten wider (2" round) teflon pads for the base, and will add a couple of old CDs on the center pivot point to raise it to the same height as the slightly thicker 2" pads, all in hopes of easing the transition from stop to moving (especially at zenith). My wife won't miss her records after all. I might wax the formica surface between base sections as well.... we'll see how the wider teflon works first. Regardless, it's a great instrument. The 12" is considerably heavier, so I have to move it in two sections until I get a dedicated dolly for it. ...but it gets more dim objects, and offers more resolution on ones the 8 acquires. Since I don't have to travel with it, it works for me. I love both scopes. I got both used, and the prices added together was less than the cost of a new 12" dob by a couple hundred. Our first scope, a 4.5EQ was also used, and we're sitting right at $1000 for the three. (Plus eyepieces, filters, telrads, etc., of course!!!!). Take Ed's advice and get an 8" Dob. You won't regret it (unless you have to squeeze it into a Fiat or Miata to get to dark skies.

[@petset77]

The felt pads did the trick for the Lazy Susan looseness on the AD12. I initially placed four of them, but it seemed a bit stiff. I removed two, and it's perfect. It moves without resistance, but doesn't feel "stuck" when trying to move it just a bit. ...of course, clouds have rolled in, and it'll be snowing on Sunday.

[@kasa6038]

The other thing worth mentioning, especially if any manufacturers are paying attention, is the mechanics of these mass produced scopes need to be improved. The optics are great, but the focusers and boxes leave something to be desired. High quality plywood is lighter and waterproof. Looser mirror clip bolts to avoid mirror pinch. Etc. These would not be expensive fixes but would dramatically improve the product. It is telling that there are many webpages in how to optimize these scopes. There should not be any if they were coming out of the factory entirely tuned up.

[@edting]

Discovery tried this a few years back, doing a lot of the upgrades you suggested. I liked those scopes a lot. Unfortunately, they didn't sell well. If you can find one on the used market, grab it.

[@KingLoopie1]

I'll stick with my 10" solid tube Dob that I built. My biggest grip is it doesn't fit in my jeep... And it's heavy... Ed is spot on here, but it's what I have and I enjoy it when I can. Easy set up, collimation adjustments are pretty quick. At f6 it is a bit tough to get through the door though. 👍

[@kasa6038]

I have 2,000+ observations through my Apertura AD 10". I agree with Ed that an 8" is actually a better choice. The rocker box difficulties are real and the increase in resolution and light gathering is not as dramatic as one might think. The weight is absolutely an issue (although I do happen to be weightlifter), making it much bulkier to heft into the truck or house, especially at 3 AM. My bathroom scale weight is heavier than what Ed posted as well, 30 pounds for the box and 41 for the OTA (no findersocpe or EP). If I could do it again, I would buy an AD8 (and then buy an 18 inch for special nights!) If this is your first scope, at the least, don't buy a 12 inch!

[@LP-ju2fi]

I'm looking at a 12" for my first real telescope. Size, not weight is the issue. And it's a flextube.

[@standwithisrael24]

I bought an 8 inch Dobsonian two years ago following Ed’s advice and it was the best decision ever 🙂. Recently I had the opportunity to use a 12 inch truss tube Dobsonian for two nights on a dark site. If I ever wanted to “upgrade”, that would be my choice. But the portability of my (or probably any) 8 inch Dobsonian is hard to beat 👍🏼. Listen to Ed, he knows, what he’s talking about 😁.

[@petset77]

You are correct. Ed knows his stuff! I also went XT8 on Ed's advice. It's a great instrument. (I also recently added an AD12 to the collection, and it doesn't disappoint!). I'll always have the 8" dob regardless.

[@Atman_Rez]

I had a 8" dob and sold it many years ago for a 12.5" truss tube dob. The views were great but I rarely used it due to setup. I do not have neither anymore and am thinking of buying another 8" to show my kids the night sky.

[@HelenoPaiva]

About truss tube… I’m inclined towards a 8’ truss tube e dob… what are the disadvantages of truss tube?

[@Atman_Rez]

@@HelenoPaivaI would have to take apart my 12” truss every time i wanted to observe including my house. With an 8” truss I would not have to. For me the tear down and setup of a truss tube lead me less likely to use it for quick evening sessions at home. For some it is different. Just something to consider.

[@Atman_Rez]

@@HelenoPaiva I am on my PC now and can better explain. I love the aesthetics of the truss design and how compact you can make it for travel . At some sizes is is the only option. I owned a 8" XT8 back in the late 1990's and sold it to buy a Meade 12.5" mirror for my friend to custom build me a truss tube dob. It was beautiful and something I wish I still had today to be honest. I sold it around 2003 to afford something for my house. I would have lost it anyways in Hurricane Katrina because my house was destroyed. Comparing the two: The 8" was super portable and I took it outside all of the time to observe. It was light and compact enough that a truss design was not needed. The 12.5" gave me some beautiful views but I was unable to store it without taking it apart even at home since I was renting and did not have access to storing it in one piece. I can now put it in my garage if I still owned it but my skies are bortle 5/6 so it probably would be used more on the road so would be used less. Truss adds setup time. Now if you are considering a 8" truss style then you probably would be able to transport it without disassembly so maybe the setup time to observe would be less. Just some food for thought. I just ordered the AD8 and have been considering the AD10 over and over. I figured ill buy this now to use more often and late down the road I can maybe build another large light bucket or will be able to afford a 16" etc. Hope this helps or at least gives you one of many stories you will hear. Clear skies!!!!

[@jimbop6614]

I have 8” Meade Starfinder reflector dob telescope and made in 1990’s. The tube made of sono tube. I am satisfied and comfortable with the size. Easier for me to carry from and to house. I bought the scope on October 2016 from consignment through sale person at camera store.

[@TheBuddha4]

Thank you so very much Ed for the review. I still have no idea which type or size scope I wish to buy.

[@edting]

If you follow my channel, I still recommend a 6" or 8" Dob (any of them, just pick one) as the best first telescope.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you.

[@VeloVios]

Since a lot of us here already own an 8 or 10 inch dob, It would be great to watch a video about eye pieces. I'm still a beginner and only use the ones that came with mine and a zoom piece. I want to upgrade eye pieces, but also don't have a lot of money to go testing different ones out. I like many just want a good starting ranges, maybe a 15-18mm as my first piece, a 25-30mm and then a 5-8mm for latter on. This is what I want anyway. Just a suggestion anyway, however regarding this topic. Its simple, buy a 10 or 12 inch if its not going to be moved much and a 8 inch for everything else. I sometimes don't use my 10inch because its a pain to carry from one room and down 2 steps, so I use my 100mm most of the time. I know people will think the weight isn't that different from the 8 or 10 (its not, its the size that comes with that weight) its very awkward to carry. Even then carrying it is doable, but carrying it with proper form is next to impossible, so be careful if you have back problems

[@billducas]

I agree on the back problems. An 8 inch DOB is the biggest I can handle.

[@BlueTrane2028]

I like to recommend off exit pupil. Focal length of the eyepice divided by the focal ratio, in this case 6. 1mm exit, 6mm eyepiece. That's your highest average power (and sometimes you won't reach it if the skies are turbulent). 2mm exit, 12mm eyepice. There's your small DSOs and planets when the sky isn't cooperating. A 9mm in between is useful. I then usally jump to 24mm (4mm exit) or 30mm (5mm exit) for lowest power depending on the size of the focuser and how bad the light pollution is in the area I'm observing in. Close enough is fine. Say you get a really good deal on a 14mm eyepiece instead of 12mm. That's okay, it's near enough. Ed is a TeleVue guy. I have no problem recommending their eyepieces but they are quite expensive. Generally any reputable eyepiece with a 68 degree or wider field of view will satisfy you with a Dobsonian. My personal eyepice set that I use the most with an 8" f/6 is: 6.7mm Explore Scientific 82* 8.8mm Explore Scientific 82* 14mm Explore Scientific 82* 24mm Explore Scientific 68* if limited to a 1.25" focuser, 82 degree if 2". And if I'm in a dark enough spot, I'll bring out the 30mm Explore Scientific 82*. It will probably push the limit on what your secondary mirror can fully illuminate in your view, so I don't necessarily recommend going out and buying the 30mm ES82 (or a 31mm Nagler) straight away. I use the 30mm with refractors, SCTs and a larger Newtonian, so it's in my box forever, as is the 40mm Explore Scientific 68*.

[@tuunaes]

What telescope you have? Needed/what eyepieces are good depend on telescope's focal length and focal ratio.

[@bmarques333]

Looking for my first scope, and I _might_ be a case where a 10" makes sense - my car, a Hyundai Ioniq, has a spacious and barely used trunk, and the skies here in the suburbs of Lisbon are bright enough that it's always worthy to travel 40+ minutes for a Bortle 5 site anyway (or double that for one in the 3-4 frontier). However the price difference, unwieldiness, focal ratio being more demanding with eyepieces (as mentioned in the comments) and such keep me on the 8" track anyway.

[@turbomike71]

Been using an old Coulter 13.1" the views are worth the pain for me. But I have been considering converting it into a full truss design to alleviate some of the weight.

[@kevchard5214]

Ed I have a 10 inch because of 2 factors. 1 there were no 8 inch to purchase at the time. 2 I own property in the Ozark mountains away from all light pollution so I wanted more light collection. I now live outside of Oklahoma City (but retiring to my Arkansas property in the next few months) where the light pollution is terrible and the 10 inch collects all of it. I dont have any experience with a 8 inch but I have heard they are less affected by light pollution.

[@bk3720]

The 8” dob is the best bang for the buck. I have an old Orion xt8. It’s a good scope. What I don’t like is the eyepiece is often too high to kneel and it is too low without stooping over. An 8” f/8 would be more appealing due to better eyepiece height, but Is a project to build. I’m not aware of any manufactured dobs with that focal length in an 8 inch. My large go to is a Celestron 6” f/5 refractor on a Vixen GP mount. But it is a more expensive for similar performance to an 8” dob.

[@ducatifriedrich2910]

Another great video. 1 other factor to consider. Let's take it to the extreme, a 4" dob or a 12" dob (mounted on a nice wheelie base that roles out of my garage and I am ready to view in 1 minute.) With the 4", I can find and make out some of the bright objects, but after doing that say, 20 times, I really want find and see more objects. That's when you are maybe going to be happier with a 12. If you just want to look at the 15 or so obvious bright targets, and you do that once every month, then you will be happy. But if you want to get out a few times each week, you will get tired of the Double Cluster and Andromeda pretty quickly. The list of viewable targets worth looking at in the 12 is quite a bit longer than the 4. I would say start with a 4 or 6 , and if you love it, get a 12.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I wouldn’t recommend a 12 for anyone that needs to ask “which scope should I buy?” The ideal 12” customer *knows* they want a 12. It’s a specialty instrument at that point. Someone with so little experience, is not going to enjoy a 12”. They should choose a 6 or 8” scope.

[@wanderingbrummie]

Best thing I ever did was swap my 8” Newt/Dob combination for a small refractor, cheap OSC camera and entry-level equatorial mount. Spectacular views after a couple of minutes live stacking, way better than anything I ever observed visually. It’s nice to have the direct visual link with the eyepiece, but this doesn’t compensate for lack of intensity, detail and colour compared with live view with a camera, in my opinion.

[@willrothfuss8470]

I guess I am the exception, Ed. After researching and debating between an 8" and. 10", I got the 10" a year ago and no regrets. And it's a truss tube, the Explore Scientific Hybrid. Terrific for packing up and traveling. But do I use it a lot? Well, I keep it on a hand truck and leave it set up for a few days at a time if the weather report allows. So far this November? I've been out 17 nights (out of 20, a remarkable run of clear weather here in the NE!) I don't find a 56% increase in light gathering over an 8" insignificant. If I bought an 8", I would have always wondered if I should have bought a 10. I haven't considered even once if I should have bought the 8. So another factor to consider is can you store the scope at grade and easily roll it out to look? Then the 10 becomes no more hassle than an 8.

[@cigarnationwarriors]

I was going to buy the Apertura 8” DOB but opted instead for the ZWO Seestar S50 Smart Telescope. Sound wisdom, Grasshopper. 🔭

[@erikmardiste]

Depends on your budget . If u can afford the 8 it's fantastic.

[@jimmurray1106]

Hi Ed, 35+ year ATM, Observer & Imager here. I agree completely, concerning the 8" vs 10", which gets used more debate...and also the many "Maybe" caveats. However, I think you have not completed the entire logic exercise. I suggest that you next consider 6" vs 8" and other popular configurations too, until you arrive at an even broader conclusion. It's a great conversation and you have only scratched the surface. Let's carry this experiment farther forward! I'd also always suggest beginners visit their local club Star Party, look through what is set up in the field and ask questions. Joining as a member, they can even often borrow and try out a scope before buying their own. All under the watchful eye of someone local who has already been through it. Wishing you clear skies, Jim in Oregon

[@grahameasby8338]

I spent Christmas day and Boxing day 2020 watching KZbin videos comparing 8"" and 10" Dobs and decided that the extra magnitude or thereabouts that the 10" would give didn't justify the extra £200.I bought the 8" and I am perfectly happy with it.

[@sidpackard8613]

Hi Ed, thanks for all your wonderful content! I found your channel a couple months ago and decided to follow your advice exactly, and it’s been perfect. I bought “Nightwatch”, some binoculars, and joined my local astronomy club. A month ago after battling “aperture fever” for several weeks I bought an 8” Dob, and it is absolutely amazing. Now to today’s question . Two days ago I parked next to a gentleman with a 10” Dob, and it’s huge. Standing between his and mine, his seems twice as big as my 8”. I am sooooo happy I took your advice! Also, he admitted that he only takes out his 10” when he has a friend along to help, and uses his 8” much more often. Thanks again!

[@captainkoloth1631]

To be fair a 10" is almost exactly 50% more light collecting area, so this is about what you'd expect. I find 12" is where it really starts to get genuinely unwieldy (for example you start needing a ladder needing the zenith), though everyone's preferences are a little different.

[@sidpackard8613]

@@captainkoloth1631 True, but it’s also the difference between big and huge. For instance the 8" tube will fit in the back seat of my Honda Accord and most cars. The 10" won’t. Clear skies!

[@MADPIKER01]

I too came across this channel after years of looking up at the night skies and thinking it would nice to look closer at some of the areas that catch your eye, the pleiades for example. So I had been thinking of buying a telescope for a while. Thankfully I came across this channel and it made a lot of sense coming from someone who clearly knows what they are talking about. I took your advice and bought an 8" Dob and a couple of better eyepieces. I have no light pollution as I live in the middle of nowhere and so far it has proven to be nothing short of incredible. I am no star hopper and it will take time to master, I get lost quite often as I see so many stars that It gets really confusing. But so far, Saturn and Jupiter and its moons are easy viewing, I have found Andromeda and its wee pal and the Orion nebular to name a few. I have had quite a few cloudy nights (you do in Scotland 😉) although those fewer nights of clear skies more than make up for it. Anyone looking for advice need look no further. Many thanks Ed.

[@markihde4381]

Yep, but it's nice to get lost, sometimes. Some of my most enjoyable observations have been cruising around the sky, searching for nothing in particular. Then, come across something interesting and go to the star atlas to find out what it is that I have "discovered".@@MADPIKER01

[@k.h.1587]

Those sliding truss skywarchers were mainly for fitting in cars

[@tietosanakirja]

I wrestled with this one for for about a month. Finally I chose the 8 inch, because I might have to lift the telescope in awkward position and would like to avoid back pain. I put the order in just a few days ago. The funny thing is, that the oder confirmation I got shows a 10", though the product code and price is for the 8 inch. 😅 I wouldn't be too sorry if I receive the 10 inch.