Planetary Scope Advice Please

[Solar B]

Now that its getting "Dark & Cold" again....Brrrrrrrr.....i,m starting to think about getting a Nite Scope , This would be primarily for visual Planetary work , I,ve been down the SCT route before and i,m looking for something that,s collimation free , so that really leaves Mak,s and Refractor,s.....I was wondering how a good Refractor would preform in comparison to a 8"SCT , i understand that you can use quite high powered EPs with some quality refractors (say 3 or 4mm) but what kind of quality scope would i need and would the seeing need to be good to use such High Powered Pieces. :? Cheers

Brian

[GazOC]

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=promak180ota

I own one and its a great planetary/ lunar scope (maybe the best for the money??) or failing that if want to go down the refractor route then an ED100 is also decent for the aperture.

Its not the power of the eyepieces that seeing restricts but the magnification they give. But I always found my ED100 less sensitive to poor seeing than my 180mm Mak.

[Saso]

I own this scope and I can say that views on planets and moon are outstanding. I never before seen so many details on Jupiter. It is a keeper.

Saso

[Solar B]

Thanks for the advice , a friend of mine claims that..."Maks Rock" and ive no reason to doubt him , its a wonder that they are not more popular as they offer superior coll free optics compared to SCTs and under 8" they are competitive. Brian

[John]

Some of the best planetary performers are supposed to be the Mak-Newtonians made by Intes and others. They have a very small central obstruction so contrast is high - almost as good as an apo refractor of a similar aperture they say.

I think they do need collimation from time to time though.

John

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

If I'm not mistaken, our very own Russ has an OMC 140 on Astro Buy and Sell right now for cheap. I had one and will probably have one again as its great on planets and moon details. I'm hoping that my current 200mm Mak. is as good when mars turns up.

Kaptain Klevtsov