Downsizing Why and What

Hello, all,
I have been interested for a while in upsizing, and have noticed ads and posts speaking of downsizing instead.
This leads me to wondering why they are going in the opposite direction from what I am contemplating.
It would also help me to know from what size of scope they are downsizing (present scope) to the what size smaller new scope.
Many thanks for your ideas,
Bill Meyers

Bill,
Most of those that I know that are down sizing have had their fun with the large scopes and are now looking at more transportable and easier to set up and carry scopes. Many don't want to use a ladder anymore. They want to stand or sit when viewing. As age begins to sap our strength, there are limits to our ability to lift and carry without paying a big price the next day.
Also, many are finding that smaller scope, 12-18" are just more fun in some ways. They also can be taken just about anywhere and don't require a large vehicle.

Bill,

I sold my 16" Starmaster a few months ago, after three years of getting great views. It had goto and track and all the other bells and whistles.

I replaced it with a new 10" Starmaster Hybrid. Why? The hybrid breaks down into two parts and is very easy to transport to our clubs dark site. It doesn't have quite the reach of the 16", but I believe there is not a 10" reflector anywhere that gives better views. I miss the goto and track for high power planetary observing, but the DSCs are just so easy and light. I never concern myself with charging batteries and am always ready to toss the scope in the back of the Jeep and go.

At home, I actually use a CPC9.25 that I roll around on wheeley bars. I have decided for me, about 10" is enough aperture to satisfy my observing needs.

I know it's not for everyone, though.

Bill:

Since I acquired two small refractors, the number of nights that I spent viewing the sky has quadrupled (from once a month to at least 4 times a month). That alone is worth some consideration. There are many compromises to be made for the loss of light gathering capacity, but then again I am just happy to be out there under the stars. Then there is the wide field views that other instruments can't match. I thought the whole thing was overblown until I had a chance to experience it myself.

During short weekend trips with the family when I can go to darker skies, I no longer think twice about bringing a scope along. Such was not the case when all I had was a C8. The refractors are just as good for daytime viewing if you are into birding and what not.

All in all, I think it's a win.

Rey

Hello, all,
I have been interested for a while in upsizing, and have noticed ads and posts speaking of downsizing instead.
This leads me to wondering why they are going in the opposite direction from what I am contemplating.
----

Bill:

"Make new friends but keep the old."

A big scope does not fill the same niche that an 11 or 12.5 inch scope does so I think it is a mistake to think one can replace a scope that gets a lot of use with a larger one.

Keep that one you use and add to it.

Back in the S.A.A. days, an informal survey suggested that most people who owned large scopes still did most of their observing with smaller scope.

For me, no one scope can come close and I think having a variety of scopes helps keep me excited enough to get spend every possible moment under the night sky. Sunday night it was the ED-80 and the 16 inch Meade, last night it was the RV-6 (how wonderful are those views). Saturday it was a trip to the mountains with the 8in F/5 on a CG-5 and a WO 66SD... I think of it as my "Harem."

jon

Like the others I have "downsized" after going through "Aperture Fever" for 30 years. I've found going to smaller scopes far more pleasing at this point in the hobby - not for the "performance" or portability, but for the challenge. Currently my largest scope is 110mm Apo - and the smallest a 40 year old 60mm f15 refractor. For me it has been a bit of a "reawakening" seeing just how deep I can go with these small scopes. For example, so far only one Messier has alluded my 66mm WO APO (M74)- this 8 miles south of Boston. I remember this was my nemisis DSO when starting out - but find it quite easy now with 6" and larger scopes - So using these small scopes brings back the "challenge" of those early day's.

Mid life crisis? Sigh....Probably

Everyone who downsizes this will have their own reasons. I went from a 16" dob to a nexstar C11. I simply became less interested in going for faint faint fuzzies and more interested in double stars, the Moon and planets, imaging, goto and tracking capability, and enjoying the brighter DSOs like the Messiers and Caldwells. The C11 excels in all of this. It is still heavy instrument but it's much more compact, and low to the ground. All my observing is done seated. And I can now do photography. I'm happy as a clam. I notice the light loss the most on globulars in the form of less numerous stars. But most galaxies I want to view are still detectable. They are just a little less bright. But it's more like I see a very faint smudge in the C11 vs. I see a faint smudge in the 16". I live quite happily with that difference.

Many, many reasons... and everyone it is gonna have their own...
I'd say, in my case, I've downsized the refractor (I do not own a reflector, but an SCT and a refractor) in the search for higher portability and wider fields of view... 8)

There is a lot to say about a light scope, it is easy on the back, sets up faster, and you take it more places. I love my 14.75 quartz mirror and my scope with finder and focuser is just 31 LBS. I can see many things clearly in just minutes after taking it out of the car or trailer while others are waiting for hours some times to get there mirror to cool down. The best telescope is one that is used and it is a personal preference as each scope fits each persons need as to what they want out of it. So the question of down sizing or not should be to ask your self what do you want out of a telescope and how will you be using it, make a list of pros and cons.

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