Add a Refractor?

I have an 8" f5 reflector. If I want to do a few nights of dedicated planetary viewing (visual only), do I add a refractor to my collection?

If add the refractor? What size? What f ratio? What do I get for this? Only constraints - (1) Must work on Sky View Pro mount (2) Relatively cheap

Thanks,
Ed York

For a relatively cheap refractor that is good on planets, I wold suggest the Orion ED80. But, it is still an 80mm refractor, so your 8" reflector should beat it quite handily. The real reason for going to a small refractor isn't that it will give better views than your 8", but that it will be a lot quicker and easier to set up. You would have to get a 5-6" APO or long fl achro to match a decent 8" reflector, neither of which meet your twin requirements of relatively cheap and mountable on the SVP.

So if you want better views, stick with the 8" you have. If you want a quick-look set up, get the ED-80 or something similar (maybe a 5-6" mak, since you are only using it for planets). Although if you get the ED-80, it also makes a nice widefield companion to your 8" under dark skies....

Jarad

Ed, as Chris & Jarad mentioned and IMHO, nothing cheap & small will match/surpass what you already have...
I would think that if you have poor views from your scope is either bad seeing or miscollimation... but it should beat all the other scopes mentioned here (not bashing) hands down... (unless going to larger aperture APOs)

You have not mentioned WHAT is exactly the problem with your 8", so we are all guessing on what exactly you want to do, and why...



Clear skies!



Ivan