Undoubtedly, but if you only have two hours free and it's a 20 minute
drive to your local dark(er) skies site the ease of setting up a small
scope means you are more likely to actually go to the dark skies and
use the scope. For a grab-and-go or quick-look scope you want a small
OTA on a simple mount. If you're going for small and portable then
refractors start to look more attractive.

No point having a big newt if you never have the time or energy to use
the damn thing.


Tim

I agree completely. I often make a 50 minute drive to the mountains for a
couple of hours observing. That is why my 12.5 inch Newt is F4.06 and sets up
more quickly than many small refractors.

Not too long ago I timed myself setting it up..

Sitting in the drivers seat of my 1992 Ford Escort Hatchback. Hit the stop
watch, pull the trunk release, open the door and go for it.

41 seconds late when I push the button to stop the watch, the scope is on its
mount, finders in place with a Starbound chair sitting alongside, ready to go.

12.5 inches is not big these days but its big enough for me to really see some
stuff...

jon