First of all, I want to thank everyone for providing such useful information. Currently my thought process is such:

I want to get the largest aperture for the money and the XT 10" Dobsonian fits the budget. As a beginner I have a fear of getting the scope and then realizing that finding celestial objects will be extremely difficult. To address this, I've looked at either getting a goto type scope and spend more money or get an equatorial such as the Orion SkyView 8" for practically the same price as the dobsonian. In either case I would be given away 2" in aperture. My thinking is that with an equatorial I can set the R.A./Dec coordinates manually and find the object. What remedy do I have if I go with the Orion dobsonian XT? Sky hopping?? How difficult is that? Does my thinking make sense? Am I overlooking something?

Also, If I want to perform astrophotographer in the future is it possible to take the dobsonian and move it to an equatorial mount?

Thanks in Advance,

Anthony
Lincroft, NJ

• Re:Decisions, Decisions - Help Requested.. - jkoptic - January 14, 2003 - 18:28 UTC
  • Re the computer for Dob - danieldgj - January 14, 2003 - 21:24 UTC
    • Decision Made... - imhotep - January 17, 2003 - 23:43 UTC