Big AOP or Dob help pick!

Hi everyone, i need help!

I've been in astronomy since 1976, i've had around 140 scopes over the years! You name it i have had it, SCT's many refractors, from 60mm to a older 6" AP Starfire, many Newts from 6" to 14.5", and on and on.

I am coming into some money soon, guess i could spend up to $32,000, but would like to stay under $24,000!

I live in Tampa FL, my skies are around mag 3 most nites, but i have super seeing, many nites my seeing is 9+.

So most of my time is spent looking at planets and the moon with powers to 350x to 1000x! So i dont know if i should get a 18" to 24" Starmaster, or a 6" to 8" APO.
If i get the Starmaster, i will have to tear out a wall, and install double doors, that way i can wheel the scope in and out, without any hassle! I dont want to put the Dob together and tear it down everytime i use it.

Or i could get, say a 7" to 8" TMB APO, and then mount it on a super heavy duty mount, guess a AP-1200, GM-200 Losmandy, or some other well built mount.
But i would have to setup the APO everytime i use it!

So i figure a good used Starmaster with GO-TO 18" to 24" with the double door install, would cost me around $9,000 to $13,000.
Or go with the 6" TAK & NJP mount for about $17,000, or a 7" TO 8" TMB for about $18,000 to over $32,000.

What do you guys think is best???

Chas P.

The big DOB would be nice, but remember the thing will require a big ladder and that could be tough when you use it. Standing all night on a ladder rung is not tht fun! Also it will be harder to store under a roof, just because of size. But the light grasp would be awesome on a 24" DOB, those I have used were beautiful.
A large Refractor would be more user friendly in these respects, but would have much less light grasp.
Maybe a Richey-Criton 12.5 to 16" would be a better alternative. Especially nice for astrophotography!
Or maybe a NICE refractor and a 14" SCT?
If I had that much money I would be looking into observatory grade instruments. I have seen some beauties for sale here in that price range. Permanent mounts but that is what you are looking for it seems.
Floyd

"Hi everyone, i need help! I've been in astronomy since 1976, i've had around 140 scopes over the years!"

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The sort of help you need can't be found here.

;-)

The 12" Mewlon Mars picture on Anacordes "Image of the Day" was pretty amazing. I'd say the 250mm, or 300mm Mewlon's are good contenders as well.

David Simons

All I have been hearing lately is how aperture rules. Then this past month all I have been hearing is how people have been masking their large Dobs down to 6" inchs or even smaller for Mars trying to get a decent image. If aperture rules why bother stopping down your scope? Could it be aperture rules only sometimes? Charles, yes at least four years. I remember you telling a bunch of us about your will money and plans to buy a ultra expensive scope with it back in Sping of 1999 in The Planetarium Chat room. Only I think the number was more like $300,000 back then. It seems to me with your planned purchase you're more concerned about getting something to impress others than getting something you know will be more practicle for your own needs. Don't make that mistake. If it were me, I'd take that money and buy some land somewhere were the skies were blacker than coal. Then even a $500 8" Dob would work wonders.


Glenn

Well, Chas, if you decide to go the Starmaster route, I have an 18" with GOTO and a Zambuto Stabilite mirror (hollow cell mirror, wuick cool down, no longer available)that I will be looking to sell soon. Depending on how tall you are, you will either need a 1-step or no ladder for it. I live in Atlanta, and would be willing to drive to meet you for an observing session if you are interested. I will be posting it on Astromart in a few weeks, unless I get a local seller first (giving the Atlanta Astro Club members first shot....).

Jarad