Atmosphere limits/diminshing returns for more aperture

I had a 80mm refractor and recently sold a 155mm refractor and there was more detail with the larger scope, but it seems viewing is always significantly limited by the atmosphere above 150x. If your interest isn't to look at the fainter deep sky objects where enough aperture is never reached do you find there is a point where increased aperture is of diminished value for the more obvious objects such as planets and the brighter Messier objects? I haven't looked through a really huge refractor such as 12" and above, but does the increased brightness alone give you more detail or is increased magnifciation needed also by which your always limited by atmospheric conditions?

Gary,

I typically use magnifications of up to two or more times the figure you stated with scopes ranging up to 17 inches and sometimes larger so I can't agree with your premise.

Dave Mitsky

Gary --

Interestingly, I've found neither point to be true. Resolution is dependant on aperture, so a big scope helps even with the planets where there's plenty of light to go around.

And for picking out the faint fuzzies, it's dark skies and not aperture that rules. (Aperture doesn't hurt, but I can see more from a truly dark site with my 8" than I can from home with my 16".)

-- Jeff.