Time to sell?

[pakarinen]

When I got back into the hobby three years ago, I decided my old C8 and mount was too big and bulky for my current tastes and went with an Orion ST120. The scope has served me well, but I find that I'm using my little ST80 more and more. The 120 is a good scope, but the 80 is stoopid easy to transport, store, etc. although it doesn't have the aperture.

So I begin to wonder if maybe I should sell the 120 and just run with the 80. Sell the 80 and the 120 and get a 90mm? Or maybe a 105mm? Or maybe sit tight and save pennies for an 80mm APO before I'm consigned to the nursing home?

I suppose Murphy says I'd regret selling the 120 within days of shipping it out of here, but still...

[notFritzArgelander]

Shuffling hobby hardware is a normal part of the hobby. Requirements change. Of my scopes the only ones I'm dedicated to keeping to the bitter end are the Intes MK66 and the SV ED80 Access doublet. (The TS 102 ED f11 is looking to get similar status.) The rest are subject to circumstances. I've had dozens of scopes. Maybe not as many as Ed Ting, but many enough. Why not take pleasure in it.

https://www.scopereviews.com

[helicon]

I never thought I'd get rid of my 18" after a few years, but I did. Bad LP and chore of hauling it out were factors. The other was a serendipitous offer to purchase the scope by a neighbor for roughly half what I paid for it.

[yobbo89]

Are you doing visual or astrophotgraphy? An unused scope is a scope not in need. I have 4 scopes and mostly use my Binos for visual viewing...

[Lady Fraktor]

After buying and selling enough equipment over the years to stock a shop you learn which bits you can and cannot part with.
Once a telescope starts feeling more like work/ a chore to use it is probably time to move it along.

Depending on what your viewing preferences are a 102mm f/7 will give a nice balance of wide FOV and magnification as well as still be transportable easily.

[pakarinen]

I'm strictly visual although I might one day buy a low end ZWO and try some very basic AP.

[Bigzmey]

Over the years I have traded many scopes, including Orion 120ST. The only one I have regretted selling was ES 102mm APO triplet... until I bought Stellarvue 102mm ED doublet. For a couple of years when I did not have 102mm ED/APO my Onyx 80mm ED was one of the most used scopes.

So, my recommendation would be to save up for 80 - 102mm ED doublet.

https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... r-ota.html

https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... r-ota.html

You could stretch your budget if you look for used ED scopes on CN/Astromart. They typically sell at 70-80% of brand new price, but also sell fast. I got my Celestron Onyx 80mm ED of CN in a very nice shape under $400.

If you sell your tree scopes you will be halfway there. 80mm ED is attractive option from price/weight point. 102mm ED reaches much deeper on both planets/Moon and DSO. However, 102mm ED has weight and dimensions close to your Orion 120ST, unless you opt for more expensive carbon fiber version.

[seigell]

Or maybe sit tight and save pennies for an 80mm APO before I'm consigned to the nursing home?

Everybody needs to have claimed a little APO in their lifetime...

[Ylem]

I don't think I would ever sell my ST80
It wouldn't bring that much cash anyway.
I thought about an 80ED myself, but I think I would rather save for a 100ED.

Then you/I would have wide field and planetary covered

[Lady Fraktor]

My main travel refractor is a Stellarvue 80mm f/7
Using a 35mm 68° eyepiece gives an exit pupil of 5mm and a 4.25° TFOV, a 42mm gives exit pupil of 6.12 and TFOV of 5.25° great for panning.
At the other end I have often viewed Jupiter using a 5mm Nikon ortho and 2x barlow for 221x

[pakarinen]

Good points to ponder. Thanks, everybody.

@Bigz - That AT102 does look tasty.