Posts Made By: Clarke Harding

My wife bought me a 60mm refractor last Christmas, my first telescope, and I am ready to move on. I originally considered one of the 5" goto catadioptrics, but after reading some of the posts here I realize I'll be paying for a lot of elctronics and less optics. So now I am expanding my search. I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend $1000 to $1500 on my next telescope. So, my question is: What should I consider in that price range for a mixture of planetary and DSO observing. Photography is not an issue for me. It needs to be easily transportable. I already have a great pair of binoculars. Any suggestions, company and model, would be greatly appreciated.

I am relatively new to the hobby, but have some experience. After much review and discusion (including great comments from another Astromart forum) I have settled on an 8" Dob. Now the question is "which one?" I'm considering the Orion, Hardin and Discovery PDHQ. Are the optics comparable? Is there any significant advantage of one over the other? In particular, why is the Discovery so much more?

I am amazed at the volume of thoughtful, well considered and specific responses to my post. Thank you all very much, this is much more information than I was anticipating. I will be taking another look at 8", plus or minus, dobs and eyepieces. I was unfamiliar with several of the manufacturers mentioned. This, plus the most recent issue of Night Sky which has a nice article on eyepieces, should get me going. Thanks again!

Lasik has a good track record in experienced hands. BUT, my standard admonition for elective surgeries is to be aware that "Whatever surgery can make better, it can make worse." As a pathologist, my perspective is admittedly skewed, but if things go badly, will you look back (no pun intended) and still say "It was worth the risk?"

Thanks for all the very helpful comments, they are appreciated. Haven't made a final decision, but will soon.