Newbie question

Hello All!

I'm rather new to the amateur astronomy arena ( I do have a Meade model 285 refractor), and was looking at purchasing something a little bit bigger. I have a line on a 6" f/9-ish (maybe f/10) dobsonian telescope. My observing interests are pretty much "seat of the pants", with no real agenda in mind.

My question is, would this scope be a good purchase for overall observing, or would something like a 6" f/8 be better for "all around use"?

Thank you very much in advance!

Eric

8" f/6 and 6" f/8 are both good choices. And a specific good deal is a good deal.

If the optics are of similar the light gathering power of the 8" is almost double. My school has three fine U Optics based 6" f/8s, and my 8" beats the stuffings out of them on deep sky (okay, the mirror is a really good one by Michael Spooner).

Focal lengths are identical, which means compactness is not much of an issue.

Weight of the 8" on off the shelf manufactured Dob's is probably more. But! You want a good plywood rocker box not that partical board stuff (it's going to be on the ground). My 8" weighs two pounds more than the school's 6" f/8 and I can comfortably carry it out of the house in one piece.

Collimation should be less critical on any f/8, and a 6" will cool down quicker. But a well ventilated mirror cell is more important than simply mirror size.

A two inch eyepiece is a real plus on these focal lengths--especially for a beginner. A 1.5" inch secondary will make for a very versatile 8" scope. Attention to detail, flocking, darkening, an astrozap type dew shield (read tube extension) can help ensure that either scope performs up to its full potential.

Thank you all for responding. I have been looking around, and I think that an 8" f/6 might be the best way to go. Also, I checked at one of the local telescope shops, and the cost difference between a 6" f/8 and an 8" f/6 (Orion dobs) is only $100...So, I guess "bigger is better", especially since it's only $100 more for 2" more aperture...
Thanks again for your words of advice.

Eric