A Quick Question About My Next Scope

[Katfish Frogmore]

I have just recently gotten back into the hobby after a long hiatus. My first scope is an IOptron Smartstar R80. I am pleased with this telescope, but I also crave a more powerful scope to be purchased in the near future. The iOptron is a refractor scope, and I believe that I would like to stick with this type of scope. Any ideas or advice on what telescope would be the next logical step would be greatly appreciated. I want to do some planetary observing.

[David Frydman]

Hi there and welcome.

Maybe a Russian 100mm long focus refractor on a steady mount would be suitable.
Or a similar Skywatcher,
I would be quite happy with a good altazimuth mount.
Mars and Saturn are low now. Jupiter high.

A 5inch long focus refractor is expensive and would need a very good mount.

A high quality Maksutov might also be good for planets. 150mm or 180mm? But they may take a long time to reach thermal equilibrium.

Regards,
David

[Brian]

Hi and welcome.

Top-end refractors tend to be expensive beasts. What budget do you have in mind?

Regards,

[Katfish Frogmore]

I am able to afford at least $1000 U.S. Please explain to me about thermal equilibrium. I'm not set on using refractors. The IOptron is just so easy to use that I thought that I might want to stick with this type. But of course, I realize that the ease of use is because of the mount mostly. I was amazed how easy it is to observe using GPS technology. Back in 1974, when I got that cheap telescope for Christmas, I would have never dreamed of what is out now.

[Katfish Frogmore]

By the way, I am in the Southeastern United States. Brookhaven, Mississippi to be exact. Thank you fine folks for having me.

[brian livesey]

Is there a specific reason for why you wouldn't consider a reflecting telescope? They definitely give more bang for the buck.
Consider an 8-inch or 10-inch Newtonian reflector, that's if lack of portability doesn't bother you. A moderate-sized Newtonian telescope gives superb views of many sky objects from a dark site.

[David Frydman]

Is Brookhaven very humid?
If so one may not like to leave a scope outside.

Thermal equilibrium occurs when the scope goes from inside to outside with big temperature changes.
Refractors handle this best.
Some reflectors or Maksutovs take an hour or never.

Regards,
David

[Katfish Frogmore]

I haven't ruled out getting a reflector. The only thing is that the environment of Southwest Mississippi is very humid.

[David Frydman]

I would go for a good quality 4inch or 5inch long focus refractor on a very steady mount.
It is possible a good long focus 6 inch Skywatcher refractor might be in your price range?
They are more robust and if airspaced the objectives can be inspected and cleaned.
They also cope with temperature changes.

Regards,
David

[brian livesey]

If there's an astronomical society in your area, you could ask them how they handle the humidity.