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[jzalkin]

My name is Jonathan and I don't own a telescope.  The shame...
I am doing research before I buy my first one. I look forward to learning from the collective experience of all the members on here. I also am looking forward to coming to an open star party.
I live on the northside of Chicago on the lake front. I am very curious as to what I can see with all the LP. That is what is keeping me from making a purchase. I'm looking at a 6" or 8" SCT but don't want to waste the money on the 8" if it isnt going to help at all in the city. I would rater use the money on eyepieces and such.

Sorry for rambling.

jz 

[Paulie pchris00]

Hi Jonathan. You will do fine with a 6", but obviously, the light grasp of an 8" will be just a little better. It may not exactly extend your range out into the universe, but it will grab more light from the objects you would see with a 6", and make them a little easier to see at the eyepiece.

Also, I would recommend a Dobsonian over an SCT as your first scope. Easier set up, and it forces you to learn the sky. Getting an SCT, especially with go-to capability, may sound like the best route to go as a beginner, but I disagree. If you can go out and identify the brightest stars right now, you might be okay with a go-to SCT, but if not, the alignment procedure may be a turn-off. The best thing to do would be wait until warmer weather, and join us at a public star party, and check out the telescopes of some of the members.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

There is a prevalent misconception that due to the urban light pollution, that serious observational astronomy is not possible.

This is not the case.

Larger aperture scopes does not necessarily mean a wash-out at the eyepiece. The recent supernova discovery in M82 was made in London under intense light pollution...and quite easily. Bigger scopes mean brighter objects, higher magnifications and better details in the eyepiece. Light pollution filters work and handle the problem well, as they darken the skies without affecting the object too much.

I would get the 8" Dobsonian over a SCT.

Plenty of light grasp, portable and economical. You'll be able to bring in faint fuzzies from from under city lights nicely.  There is time involved with setting up for SCT's and the whole Tripod/mount/scope can be cumbersome.

Send me an email, ([e-mail]) and I'll add you to the Chicago Astronomer Email Notification list...then you'll be in the know when we will have our next observation session.

[jzalkin]

Hello Paulie & Joe,
Thanks for the advice on scope and aperture.
I have looked at some dobsonians . I like the price of them much better than the SCT.
I worry though about the size since I live in a small high rise apartment. I also became sold on the Nexstar 6-8 SE because the weight is only 30 lbs total. I am going to be taking an elevator down then going out the back of my building then walking under LSD to the grass between Hollywood and Foster beach to look at the sky.
Dobs just look unrealistic for me to handle. Then again I have never seen one in person.
I have no interest in this scope being used for imaging just enjoying the view with my wife.
I did see a collapsible Dob made by Celestron and Orion. But reviews talked about collimating every time. Is this true and how hard is it to do? Any way thanks for more info on my quest and Joe look for my email I look forward to the next session you all put on.
Jzalkin

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Johnathan...

I am not a fan of the one-arm Nexstars.

The connection of the scope to the arm seems quite fragile to me and wear - even the slightest, will make alignments difficult. Also...a Chicago Astronomer has one...and regrets the choice. One is at the mercy of the batteries/power available. When power is cut...the mount cannot be moved manually...and the session is over. With Dobs and scopes on Equatorial or Alt/Az mounts...one can slew about with arm power without any need for electrical power.

The collapsible dobs are nice. Collimation is not all that difficult, but it does take practice to get it right. All reflectors need collimation from time to time, but I have not used a collapsible dob...so I dunno if it needs a nudge every time one sets it up. Refractors are the easiest to grab-and go on an Alt/Az mount. A C102 refractor (which I have, as well as another Chicago Astronomer), does a great job and not cumbersome.

But...it's all limited on what you want out of a scope.

[-=CROMAN=-]

I'm with Joe on this. DOB all the way and if you can get your hands on the Celestron C102 then go for it. My main weapon of choice right now is a 10" Zhumell DOB ( manual with setting circles iskywatch.com/how-tos-and-tools/pushto-degree-circles/ . I wouldn't sweat the collimation as there are many folks here that would be more than happy to help you.

[jzalkin]

Thanks for all the info. Croman the link was very helpful. If I could ask another question, How far are you guys able to carry these? My wife would be helping by carrying the lightest component. She is only 5'
tall and some of the tubes are close to that. Once again my main issues are small condo and long walk and elevator rides.
This is more of a pain than it should be. I do love the looks of refractors. But if I want aperture the prices get scary fast.

[Paulie pchris00]

Jonathan, you're finding out one of the frustrating things in this hobby: everything has a trade-off. If you want aperture, you generally lose portability and ease of transport. Want something light and easy to carry, you probably have to sacrifice aperture. There are some exceptions, of course, but more than likely they will carry a significant price tag.

Yes, all reflectors need occasional collimation, but with Dobsonians and SCTs, the long focal lengths are pretty forgiving. I've had my Dob out on a few occasions for lunar observing in the last month and a half, and I know it needs to be collimated, but it's been too cold to waste precious time on collimation. The views, though, are still good. I can wait until a warmer night.

I don't like to carry my 6" Dob more than 100 feet, and even that is a trek, but there have been some star parties at Adler where I've had to park halfway down Solidarity and carry my scope. I'm sure you're going to have to carry yours farther than I've ever carried mine, though. I don't really know the distance or your physical condition, so you're going to have to make your best guess as to what size and weight you'll be able to comfortably carry to your regular observing location. Sorry that's not much help.