A Refractor for my 65th?

[Alfian]

Jules, that extra 20mm gives an extra 44% light gathering (if my maths is correct) and thats not to be sniffed at! Get a few good nights under your belt and I doubt if there will be many regrets.

[nightfisher]

Ian, no regrets with the 120, just saying i would have been okay with a 100, but not planning on swapping out to 100 now i have the 120

[cloudsweeper]

12 hours ago, Alfian said:

Jules, that extra 20mm gives an extra 44% light gathering (if my maths is correct) and thats not to be sniffed at! Get a few good nights under your belt and I doubt if there will be many regrets.

Ian - your maths is (are?) correct.  By the same token, I'm (still) considering a 10" Dob to get me deeper than the 8SE, and that's 56% more light. It has been said that a 12"-er would be more worthwhile, but I'm also looking at cost and how manageable the 'scope would be, so a 56% boost looks very appealing (especially in polluted skies).

Compromises as ever!

Doug.

[Alfian]

3 hours ago, nightfisher said:

Ian, no regrets with the 120, just saying i would have been okay with a 100, but not planning on swapping out to 100 now i have the 120

Phew, that's a relief Jules, you had me worried for a moment there.