Expert: Ed - 8/4/2009

Question
My ventures into CATs & dobs have proved impractical, due to severe lack of storage space & back surgery. Can you give me a concensus on the following big refractors: Orion AstroView 150 or 120 ST EQ; Celestron C6 R-GT 150; Orion Sirius EON 120 ED EQ-G; Sky-Watcher 120 or 150 AR EQ-5, or any other lrage-aperture refractor? Obviously what I want is a pound of gold for a dollar, but any suggestion will be appreciated. I by no means have finished my list of possibilities, but I need someone experienced to tell me the difference between the short tube & long tube, and the quality optics ratings. My interest is, unfortunately, planetary & DSO observation, with photography in the future. THank you.

Answer
Tom, I always refer telescope question to Paul Wagner or Tom Whiting.  They have much more experience than me, and their answers will be more useful to you.

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/1360-4834/Astronomy/Paul-Wagner.htm

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/1360-18522/Astronomy/Tom-Whiting.htm

I hope you ask them your question.
--Ed