So, it may be helpful for you to read and understand the difference between refractors, reflectors and Dobsonians. The whole concept of a Dobsonian is that it has a large mirror to collect light and thus you are able to see deep sky objects. You can see deep sky objects with the others, but they typically require more $ for the same ability. The down side of a Dobbie is that is generally won't track the star's movements as easily (it is not equatorial), so you have to keep readjusting. Dobbies are very very simple, they hold their collimation well (focus, which can be a real PIA to adjust on some scopes) and I have had no fears letting my kids work it on their own. But they are large, check the dimensions that are given on the website. I would have loved the 6" or 8" which were in my price range, but I didn't have a dedicated closet for storage and I wanted to be able to fit mine in my car. My 4.5" transports quite easily.
I did a lot of research when I was looking and I knew that we wanted to look at galaxies and nebulae (nebuli?? sorry not so good with the grammer rules on this one), not just planets, so that was one of the primary reasons we went with a Dobsonian, it is really the most bang for the buck for deep sky objects (http://www.telescope.com/control/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/orion-skyquest-xt4*5-classic-dobsonian-telescope). From our very light polluted home, we have crystal clear views of the moon of course and great viewing of the planets. Can always see the moons of Jupiter and rings of Saturn. Have seen the red spot, etc. But more amazing is looking at deep sky objects. I do have to warn you that Hubble has spoiled many of us for this - nothing is going to look like the Hubble pictures from an earth based scope, and especially not from a little home one. Another galaxy will look like a white smudge or finger print, in good viewing in this scope I was able to see what looks like a mass in the middle with a line going out to the side (looking at a spiral galaxy side on). But it amazed my kids, to consider that there was an entire other galaxy out there, and then to see another, and another. We also have seen the Orion Nebula and that actually appeared greenish and airy in the scope (that was not in our light polluted home area, but in a better viewing location).
I think the Orion site I linked above also sells Meades, so if you spend some time looking at the reviews there, you should be fine. In fact, if you called Orion and told them what you were looking for, you would probably do just fine.
One last bit of propaganda :), I took my little 4.5 scope to our local astronomy club meeting viewing night and had at least 4 of the regulars tell me something along the lines of "that was a great buy, if I was starting out, this is the scope I would buy, a great choice for kids, etc."
Cat
Last edited by Catalana; 11/10/10 04:19 PM.
