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[-=CROMAN=-]

Hey everyone....

I've been looking at dobsonian scopes for a couple of days and am having a hard time determining aperture. There is a considerable price difference between a 10" and 12" dobs, especially the intelliscope series from Orion. Is there really that big of a difference in viewing between the two sizes to justify the extra cash?

ORION INTELLISCOPES......
$699.00
www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=intelliscopedobs/~pcategory=dobsonians/~product_id=27184

$1029.00
www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=intelliscopedobs/~pcategory=dobsonians/~product_id=27189

Zhummell

$499.98
www.telescopes.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/zhumellz10deluxedobsonianreflectortelescope.cfm

$699.98
www.telescopes.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/zhumellz12deluxedobsonianreflectortelescope.cfm

[Paulie pchris00]

Well, bigger is better, assuming the same degree of optical quality. If a 12" is within your budget, storage capacity, and transportation (either just outside, or to an observing site), then I'm sure you will be happier with a 12" than a 10". Also, it depends what you're planning to observe most. If you're looking to pull down faint fuzzies, those two extra inches are going to make a difference more than for planetary observing (others may disagree with me on this). I think the difference in two inches of aperture gives only a subtle upgrade at best, but I also think that if I had a grand to burn, I wouldn't hesitate spending it on a 12" Dob. Astronomers tend to be willing to pay quite a bit more for a little bit better performance. I hope that helps. :/

[-=CROMAN=-]

That makes sense Paulie. I guess my biggest problem would be transportation. I'm sure I could get the 10" into my car but the 12 may pose a problem. I plan on attending the gatherings this summer so i guess that should be priority one. Now I just need to figure out if the intelliscope option is necessary.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Croman,

Always get the largest aperture you can afford/work with, but...

Going from a 4.5 to a 6" is dramatic and from a 6" to a 10" an experience. Then, the returns of larger aperture settles down - until you get into the monster size scopes 18" and up.

The difference between a 10" and a 12" is not all that different. Certainly, objects will be a bit brighter, enabling more magnification and smaller details. I would go for the larger, but let's see what you got here...

The Orion 10" at $699 is a good scope, but the 12" at $1,029, I feel is too much. $330 for two more inches is too expensive. The on board Nudge-to computer is good, but you won't be seeking out the 14,000 objects in it's data base. You'll settle on a regular handful.

The Zhumell 10" at $499 is ok and the 12" at $699 a better deal....even without the computer guided aid....which is nice, but not vital.

The optics are comparable, as most now are of Chinese origin and the construction of the bases are pressed particle board...a common material.

I would get the Zhumell 12", but the 10" is almost as good and would provide good viewings. The Orions are too expensive.