On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 16:44:17 -0500, "Rich Lauzon"
wrote:

From my observations the most prevalent scope amongst serious amateurs is
the 8" and 10" SCT. I have a homemade 10" Dob which has been a great scopes
for many years. About two years ago I built a 90mm achro. refractor and find
I am using it more and more. Just a few days ago I ordered one of these 80mm
ED's from Orion to replace it and can't wait to get it. I think the buyers
of the SCT's are disappointed with these instruments and in someway regret
their purchasing decisions or at least long for another instrument with
complimenting features.

It depends. If someone is a casual observer, they never really
utilized a night of terrific seeing, then they are likely to think
that a 4" apo (for eg) gives a better image. Further, if they are
not the motivated type, who will haul out a heavy 10" or even an
8" SCT, then they will likely go for a refractor. If their observing
tastes run to widefields, refractors can be a benefit too.
But if their tastes run to light gathering power, deep sky object
detail, or seeing transitory features on planets as well as possible,
then a small refractor will not cut it. Hence, everyone I know who
has purchased a small apo also has an SCT or a larger Newtonian,
except for the more casual observers who are satisfied with the basic
views and who value portability.
-Rich