Explorer 150-p or 150-pl?

[spiff]

Hi all, I've been lurking for a while and am all set to lay down some cash for a scope, but I cannot decide whether to choose the Skywatcher Explorer 150-p or the pl. I am mainly interested in deep sky objects and was really hoping someone could tell me if it will be worth my while paying the extra few pounds for the 150p?

[Moonshane]

in terms of faint objects there will be no difference in the two scopes visually. the PL will have a narrower field (just over a degree vs about 1.6 degrees with a 25mm plossl). the PL will have more contrast on planets but be a longer tube and possibly need a heavier mount.

collimation will hold for longer and have more leeway in the PL and cheaper eyepieces will work better too.

I might be wrong but is the PL a 1.25" focuser? if so this will mean only 1.25" eyepieces.

[spiff]

in terms of faint objects there will be no difference in the two scopes visually. the PL will have a narrower field (just over a degree vs about 1.6 degrees with a 25mm plossl). the PL will have more contrast on planets but be a longer tube and possibly need a heavier mount.

collimation will hold for longer and have more leeway in the PL and cheaper eyepieces will work better too.

I might be wrong but is the PL a 1.25" focuser? if so this will mean only 1.25" eyepieces.

Thanks for the quick reply. I did my best to spot a difference between them other than focal length and couldn't spot anything but you're right, it is a 1.25" focuser on the pl. Will this hold it back at all or is it only a slight inconvenience?

[ronin]

I would suggest the PL.

Little less critical on collimation and generally little easier on eyepieces, also you can get a bit extra magnification owing to the extra focal length if wanted for viewing planets etc. Coma will be less on the PL so the image a bit sharper across the field.

The f/5 is really only useful if you are doing prime focus photography, when the image is a little smaller so a little brighter, but you would most likely want or need a coma corrector.

[Moonshane]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did my best to spot a difference between them other than focal length and couldn't spot anything but you're right, it is a 1.25" focuser on the pl. Will this hold it back at all or is it only a slight inconvenience?

It's not really a big issue. it means that the maximum field of view would be with a 32mm plossl so about 1.3 degrees. I find this more than adequate. the shorter tube would allow more to be squeezed in but more often than not you'll want a closer look rather than a wider look if you're like me.

you'd not normally need a coma corrector at f5.

[spiff]

I am like you and would like a close rather than wider look. That decides it, the pl it will be.

Thanks both for all the advice.