Refractors vs Reflectors

[cygnusx1]

Gaz i agree with you, the C9.25 didn't/hasn't given me the fantastic view of the planets i was hoping for.

My 66mm APO under mag gives clearer and crisper views.

[The Warthog]

That is an interesting statement, and I'm not disputing what you say as I have never looked through a 66mm apo, but the 9.25 does have about 4 times the resolving power. I'll have to find an apo to look through.

[GazOC]

Then weire getting back to the resolution vs. low contrast detail discussion and trying to quantify terms like 'nicer views' that we had in the other thread....

http://stargazerslounge.com/index.php/topic,20470.msg211680.html#new

[The Warthog]

These discussions do go on, dont' they?

[MartinB]

Just goes to show what a subjective business it all is. Best to look through a range of scopes yourself in varying conditions and make your own mind up. Be very wary of giving anyones opinion too much credence.

Why other peoples strong opinions (including mine) might not match yours

1) we tend to exaggerate differences - be very suspicious of any review that says "A blows B out of the water"

2) eyes behave differently - how wide the pupil opens, colour perception, dark adaptation and sensitivity

3) different viewing conditions affect how well one scope performs compared with another - seeing, transparency and light pollution

4) emotional investment - you've dropped a grand on your pride and joy, more likely than not you have a good scope and will enjoy the views. You may then be inclined to defend it to the hilt, politely disagreeing with someone else who has dropped a grand on a different design.

5) Undue faith in theory - Dawes resolution limit, Strehl ratio and wavefront error aren't the last word in the subjective experience of looking through a scope

6) Over reliance on expert reviews - they make interesting reading but what an experienced reviewer considers a significant difference may not even be noticeable to your eye plus the reviewer, no matter how expert, carries his own set of biases. He might be reviewing a Tak TOA 130 against a 12" Obsession dob in glorious seeing in New Mexico and conclude he prefers the view through the reflector. What use is that to someone in Darlington wondering about an ED80 verses a 6" synta reflector, some but not much.

So, get to a star party or local astro soc and have a good look for yourself. Then tell us what you reckon.

These discussions do go on, dont' they?

Now look what you've made me do