Do I owe it to myself?

first off, let me say, that I am a...Gulp... refractor person. I love everything about them, but lately, I've been wondering if I should consider a premium Dob.

Next year I should be in a financial position where I can afford another nice scope and was considering a SV145,but at over $8,000, I could get a nice 12 to 14 inch Portaball or Starstructure with cash left over.

Right now my equipment list is as follows.

SV102ABV APO, It's a phenomenal scope.

SV NH, great grab and go.

C8, Mixed feelings on this scope.

Having no experience with dobs. What can I expect with the two dobs listed compared to the scopes on my list.

Please excuse my ignorance!

Hi Kurt
I am not by any means an expert however my feelings are that a nice refractor is complamented by an equily nice reflector. I started with refractors and quickly found the benefits of aperture. I would add to your list of potential scopes the Starmaster and Obsession. All have there their pros and cons, and you will have to sort out what you think will suit you best. Be aware of eyepiece height and componet weight, depending on your physical abilities.
Hope this helps
Buck

Hi Kurt,
I do not own a refractor myself, but I have looked through some of the great ones up to 7" aperture. As far a [COLOR="Blue"]visual [/COLOR]Astronomy is concerned, I think the reflector is the better purchase. The amount of aperture and resolution that can be had for $8,000 is amazing.
http://www.webstertelescopes.com/scopes_currently_in_stock.htm
Here for $8,000 you can have a premium 22" scope. Now there is not way that a 5" [COLOR="Blue"]anything[/COLOR] is going to produce images like this scope can. 8O Kennedy makes one heck of a mirror!
Starmaster, Portaball, Starstructure, Obsession, Night Sky Scopes and so many others that can produce fine instruments at reasonable prices make the reflector a thing of beauty and performance.
If you only ever own refractors, you are missing something. If you like to look DEEP into space, then you need aperture.
Do yourself a favor and go out and look through some really high quality reflectors and then make up your own mind. Don't forget to take your best EPs with you to the observing site, that will get you a free look or two!

[QUOTE]Kurt Endres said:

first off, let me say, that I am a...Gulp... refractor person. I love everything about them, but lately, I've been wondering if I should consider a premium Dob.

Next year I should be in a financial position where I can afford another nice scope and was considering a SV145,but at over $8,000, I could get a nice 12 to 14 inch Portaball or Starstructure with cash left over.

Right now my equipment list is as follows.

SV102ABV APO, It's a phenomenal scope.

SV NH, great grab and go.

C8, Mixed feelings on this scope.

Having no experience with dobs. What can I expect with the two dobs listed compared to the scopes on my list.

Please excuse my ignorance!

For $8,000 you might want to consider the jpastrocraft Sweet Sixteen f/4.. I have been very pleased with mine.
Or the Starmaster 16.5 FX, F/3.7- in the same price range.
Bill Meyers