Upgrade from 60mm to 90mm

I have a 60mm Bushnell refractor from 1991 (Japanese optics). I have the
possibility to buy a used Meade 90mm F/9(?) refractor OTA for $150 (not the
ETX types, a full size refractor). I have read that above100mm false color
becomes more pronounced with standard achromatic scopes, and I cannot afford
the ED or apo scope. A 90mm also won't overload the mount I have the 60mm on
at this time. So I figure 90mm is as large as I'll go until budget allows. I
want a refractor in this case, not a reflector. (I have a small newtonian as
well, so I am familiar with them.)

Question: I know I am doubling the lens area, so I should be able to see a
bit more. Is the difference in aperture from 60mm to 90mm going to be worth
it? I have read that a 90mm refractor is a decent scope. Moon and planets
are my main interests, but I do like to look at the stars, too.

Any replies would be appreciated.

--
Dan Braasch

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 19:55:33 -0500, "Scutter" ...reflected:

I have a 60mm Bushnell refractor from 1991 (Japanese optics). I have the
possibility to buy a used Meade 90mm F/9(?) refractor OTA for $150 (not the
ETX types, a full size refractor). I have read that above100mm false color
becomes more pronounced with standard achromatic scopes, and I cannot afford
the ED or apo scope. A 90mm also won't overload the mount I have the 60mm on
at this time. So I figure 90mm is as large as I'll go until budget allows. I
want a refractor in this case, not a reflector. (I have a small newtonian as
well, so I am familiar with them.)

Question: I know I am doubling the lens area, so I should be able to see a
bit more. Is the difference in aperture from 60mm to 90mm going to be worth
it?

I went from a 60mm refractor to an 80mm...BIG difference, so yes,
it will be worth it; but by all means start-test it, for ten years ago I bought
a Meade 90mm achromat on an alt-az mount, and the optics were
dreadful, even after Astronomics replaced it with another.

It may or may not be the same telescope; nevertheless...caveat emptor.

I have read that a 90mm refractor is a decent scope. Moon and planets
are my main interests, but I do like to look at the stars, too.

Before you buy, look at those stars hard, and out-of-focus on both
sides, too; bon chance!

Any replies would be appreciated.

Alan

Thanks for the reply... and the warning.

--
Dan Braasch

"Alan W. Craft" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 19:55:33 -0500, "Scutter"
....reflected:

I have a 60mm Bushnell refractor from 1991 (Japanese optics). I have the
possibility to buy a used Meade 90mm F/9(?) refractor OTA for $150 (not
the
ETX types, a full size refractor). I have read that above100mm false
color
becomes more pronounced with standard achromatic scopes, and I cannot
afford
the ED or apo scope. A 90mm also won't overload the mount I have the 60mm
on
at this time. So I figure 90mm is as large as I'll go until budget
allows. I
want a refractor in this case, not a reflector. (I have a small newtonian
as
well, so I am familiar with them.)

Question: I know I am doubling the lens area, so I should be able to see
a
bit more. Is the difference in aperture from 60mm to 90mm going to be
worth
it?

I went from a 60mm refractor to an 80mm...BIG difference, so yes,
it will be worth it; but by all means start-test it, for ten years ago I
bought
a Meade 90mm achromat on an alt-az mount, and the optics were
dreadful, even after Astronomics replaced it with another.

It may or may not be the same telescope; nevertheless...caveat emptor.

I have read that a 90mm refractor is a decent scope. Moon and planets
are my main interests, but I do like to look at the stars, too.

Before you buy, look at those stars hard, and out-of-focus on both
sides, too; bon chance!

Any replies would be appreciated.

Alan