Which telescope would give the more brighter,pleasing views?

[Grump Martian]

I have both a Skywatcher ST 120 and a Celestron C6 with Starbright XLT coatings. The C6 is used with the F 6.3 focal reducer attached as default.

I do enjoy using them both, but have never done a side by side comparison. I am going to do this in Dorset this weekend. Hope there is a clear sky.

You would think that the unobstructed ST 120 would win. But the C6 has an extra 25 mm of apature. I will report back with my opinions next week.

Edited May 2 by Grump Martian

[woldsman]

I don't have either scope but do have a 100mm refractor and a 200mm Cassegrain. In theory, the Skywatcher wins on contrast (no central obstruction) and the Celestron on resolution.  In practice, whether you get the added resolution

depends on sky conditions (seeing) and they'll give you very different views.  The C6 is a higher magnification / smaller field of view scope, particularly if you use a reducer to lower the f10 focal ratio. 

The Skywatcher will  cost extra and is more awkward to use on an equatorial mount due to its size but is ready collimated. The C6 is smaller, lighter and easier to manoeuvre but you'll have to keep tabs on

its collimation.  For Moon, planets and larger DSOs like globulars, the C6 is ahead. For DSOs like galaxies, the Skywatcher is more attractive but the C6 a contender in darker sky conditions. Of course, you might ask whether it is too much to ask for both...

 

Edited May 2 by woldsman

[Elp]

If you do the comparison you'd have to break it down into different categories, different targets, contrast, sharpness etc.

[davidc135]

If the target is the moon at higher magnification I'd go with the C6 because of the achromat's false colour.   David