20mm make a big difference?

[Dom1961]

Will 20mm more aperture make a noticeable difference? Is it worth another £100?

[Davey-T]

20mm on a 100mm refractor yes 20mm on a 300mm mirror not so much 

Dave

[Dom1961]

What about 130mm to 150mm?

[Piero]

A bit but not much. If you want to see a substantial difference, you should go to 200mm

[ronin]

33% more light gather, so really not a lot.

Think it was said that you need to double the area to make a noticeable difference.

If however it is buy a 130 or buy a 150 the 150 is the better selection as you will not (possibly) want to consider bigger as quickly.

[Alien 13]

A lot depends what you want the scope for, 20mm means heavier and a bigger mount which could be an issue if you want ultra portability and if you intend any imaging with it then smaller is often better (well easier).

Alan

[Davey-T]

I think it was SPM who recommended minimum of 6" mirror or 3" refractor.

Dave

[NGC 1502]

I'd sooner have a 130mm that is optically excellent and has a good mount plus portable and convenient, than a 150mm that has none of those attributes.

Of course a 150mm with the above features would be nicer.......

What I'm trying to say is that aperture is important, but very definitely not the only consideration.

Regards, Ed.

[rwilkey]

Galaxies begin to pop in a 150mm, depends on what you prefer looking at, personally galaxies do not excite me.

[Dom1961]

So I wont be able see any galaxies with a 130?:'(

[John]

So I wont be able see any galaxies with a 130?:'(

I've been able to see galaxies with scopes of 60mm aperture and upwards. Binoculars will show some of them. What I think Robin (rwilkey) means is that 150mm of aperture is where perhaps the brighter galaxies start to show some of their characteristic shape and form. Dark skies are also a great help of course !