now what??

[GH713]

Hi, well not too sure what to do so here goes. I had a 114mm Celestron newtonian on a goto, 1st or 2nd gen. Long story short, goto gave up the ghost.
Bought a Celestron 8SE. Goto would not stay lined up and started just moving on its own. I got frustrated after a month and sent it back.
Now I am using the original 114 Celestron Newtonian temporarily. I just removed the motors from the goto and can use it manually.

I am looking at a refractor for a few different reasons. I have a lot of light pollution ( I live in a small city) with limited open sky view,
I want something that is portable and easy set up,
I want to be able to take pictures now and then so I need an automated system but want one that I can over ride and use manually.
I notice that most refractors are less then 130mm..is this cost related?
I was looking at this Orion f5 refractor #09836 and Skyview goto #24709. Then I would have to get eye pieces etc.
Is the much difference in viewing between a 120mm and 100mm? I tend to lean on the quality side of things. The planets and moon are interesting to me as well as deep space.
Just not sure which way I should go so any advice will be appreciated.

thanks
GHB

[Lady Fraktor]

As refractors get larger price goes up exponentially, when dealing with apochromats the price increases even faster.
100mm refractors are a real 'sweetspot' and 130mm is a common upper limit for expense and weight.

Your eye really notices rhe difference in image scale ad detail with a 20mm jump in aperture sizing.

You will see CA on bright objects with the Orion 120mm f/5 though looking at deep sky objects should be CA free.

[GH713]

Thank you. Are you suggesting that 100mm might be better? Is it possible to improve what you see in a 100mm with better eyepieces etc?

tks again

Anyone else have opinions?

[Lowjiber]

I'm with Gabby. A 100mm with ED glass will knock your socks off. I live in Las Vegas and have somewhere around eleven fracs. I keep my 100mm (f/9) on a mount in the backyard 24/7/365.

Clear Skies & Stay safe

[smeyer8015]

How about a 6" Dobsonian? At that size they're still small enough to be easily moved around.

[helicon]

A 100mm refractor is highly recommended for portability and image quality. And as suggested, they can be hand for a modest price.

[Makuser]

Hi GHB. I agree with the above recommendations. A 100/102 ED f/7 refractor will give you excellent views of lunar/planetary objects and DSOs and is quite transportable. Also, should you get into astrophotography later, you will also be well pleased. I hope this helps GHB, and the best of regards.

[Lady Fraktor]

Thank you. Are you suggesting that 100mm might be better? Is it possible to improve what you see in a 100mm with better eyepieces

A 100mm is an excellent size for various reasons, there is a thread here about aperture vs seeing that will provide much good information.
There are also viewing reports from JG, John Barrs and Bigzmey discussing viewing with their 150mm f/5 refractors as well as a few members that use a 120mm f/5

On eyepieces, if using lower power eyepieces it reduces seen field curvature and reduces visual CA to a degree. It is still there but not as intrusive.
CA though is subjective, some people have a high tolerance to it others do not and as we age some of the CA can lessen as our eyes get older.

For casual image taking the 130mm could be a good telescope for you, if looking at doing more serious imaging I would not recommend it.
The Skyview Pro is also a good visual mount but not a mount for serious imaging as it does not have enough capacity to grow with you.