Mark:
An interesting question and one I have considered quite often. Lots of variables here, portability, optics, field of view, ease of setup, viewing comfort...
If you put it all in the equation, for me it would be a tube DOB 52 inches long or less, under 50lbs for the OTA and with decent optics. A scope like this fits in my car nicely and yet has enough light gathering to pull in the deep sky targets. It is easy to haul outside and setup in backyard for some quick views after work but capable of providing some real satisfaction when spending a two week vacation in the dark skies of North Arizona/Southern Utah...
Currently I wooble back and forth between my Asian 10in F/5 DOB and my old Discovery 12.5 inch F/4.06. Both do an nice job, one is easier to haul around, one captures more light. These days I am leaning towards the 12.5 inch. It used to be that it seemed like a real back breaker but since I acquired a Meade 16 inch Starfinder DOB I have decided the Discovery is pretty much "grab and go."
I figure I have something like $1200 invested in this scope and there is little I would do to change it. We have a good working relationship, the optics are good, I am very comfortable sitting for long periods starhopping as well as just wandering around looking at stuff.
I think it's only weak point is the finder, the Telrad and the 8x50 do a decent job but I think an 80mm finder would be a big help. Add something like the 80mm Celestron Onyx as a finder and this would pretty much do it for me.
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=10884&m=
Of course I would not be adverse to using the Onyx alone on a Tripod if that seemed appropriate.
Jon
An interesting question and one I have considered quite often. Lots of variables here, portability, optics, field of view, ease of setup, viewing comfort...
If you put it all in the equation, for me it would be a tube DOB 52 inches long or less, under 50lbs for the OTA and with decent optics. A scope like this fits in my car nicely and yet has enough light gathering to pull in the deep sky targets. It is easy to haul outside and setup in backyard for some quick views after work but capable of providing some real satisfaction when spending a two week vacation in the dark skies of North Arizona/Southern Utah...
Currently I wooble back and forth between my Asian 10in F/5 DOB and my old Discovery 12.5 inch F/4.06. Both do an nice job, one is easier to haul around, one captures more light. These days I am leaning towards the 12.5 inch. It used to be that it seemed like a real back breaker but since I acquired a Meade 16 inch Starfinder DOB I have decided the Discovery is pretty much "grab and go."
I figure I have something like $1200 invested in this scope and there is little I would do to change it. We have a good working relationship, the optics are good, I am very comfortable sitting for long periods starhopping as well as just wandering around looking at stuff.
I think it's only weak point is the finder, the Telrad and the 8x50 do a decent job but I think an 80mm finder would be a big help. Add something like the 80mm Celestron Onyx as a finder and this would pretty much do it for me.
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=10884&m=
Of course I would not be adverse to using the Onyx alone on a Tripod if that seemed appropriate.
Jon
