6" f/8 reflector...which one is the best?

Just thought I'd toss this question out there. Read the recent S&T review and I'm intrigued...seems like a nice compromise vis-a-vis overall size, aperture, and of course, money...

Far as I can tell, the most common choices are TAL, Discovery, Orion, and Stargazer Steve. I know the Orion gets good marks (and I also know all the other arguments pro/con Chinese optics, let's not go through that), but what about the others?

Mr. Ting noted in his review of the Orion that it has a 1.25" focuser and that's fine because a two-inch would show vignetting on widefield eps. But Discovery's 6" dob now advertises a 2" focuser. What's up with this? What's the best ep to take full advantage of the 6"'s field of view.

thanks
doug

A parabla at 6 inch f-8 has a lot of advantages over an 8 inch f-6 especially in the budget range as its 1/4 wave before figuring the 8 inch is more like 3/4 wave before figuring.

Time is money as they say and you generally get what you pay for.

The secondary mirror size and height of focuser play a part is whether its worthwhile trying 2 inch eyepieces.

Mel Bartell has a secondary sizing program on his atm webpage check that out.

Russian optics are highly regarded but I've seen ne review that mentions spherical optics make sure its a parabola if you go for that.

Do Meade still make the starfinder range i wonder?

I think that review is a little dated. I personally like the Discovery's, and their mirrors are very good,indeed.

However, I think the new Orions have a two inch focuser, and are set up so that adding digital setting circles (with a catalogue of objetcsm making it push-to) is a $150 plug-in (which implies that they come standard with the encoders installed). Lots of people on this forum speak highly of Orion's mirros. Price went up also.

You wouldn't go wrong with either one, but Orion is clearly a better deal if you are considering DSC or push-to.

Doug,

I called Orion about 6 weeks ago to ask whcih focuser the 6" Intelliscope had on it. They said it was a 1.25" focuser. Others have gotten different info. Maybe another call is in order now that they appear to be shipping.

Clear skies,

Tom