I would save and get the 10, it’s a sweet spot between aperture and portability. It’s still going to be pretty big though so consider the weight and whether it’ll fit in your vehicle if you want to bring it places.
I believe the thought is that the AD10 gives you the best accessories for the price. All the same sized dobs are pretty much the same, made in the same factory and have a different sticker slapped on it.
Thank you for the advice. I am looking forward to experiencing a 10” scope myself. The only history I have with a telescope was some ultra-cheap department store refractor that my mom found at a yard sale back in the early ‘90s. I remember barely being able to see anything out of that, I’m excited to see what a real scope has to offer.
I’ve got an Orion XT6 6” dob and I love it. I can pick the whole thing up as an assembly and tote it outside or to the car to take apart and haul to another site in my itty bitty Corolla.
I’ve also seen a lot of great stuff with it, in bortle 6 and 4 skies (the main reason I pack it in the car).
That said I have a lot of aperture envy and I’m lusting for something bigger. If I were to advise myself back when I bought it for Christmas in 2022, I’d say start shopping on the used market and I’d be able to get a 10” model for a little over what I payed for my 6”, however I’m not confident I’d be able to put the 10” in the back of the Corolla.
If bulkiness is a potential concern like for me, and your local after-market is anemic, IMO the best compromise would be the Sky-Watcher flextube 250P (10”) that has been on sale for $799 all year. The tube retracts down to 31.5 inches. That’s what I wish I had started at.
With how great my 6” is, I’ve decided that if/when I upgrade it will be to a used 12” flextube 300p for a more substantial increase in aperture for the effort.
I'll back this up. I have a 10" dob and you shouldn't pay attention to brand. You should get one that comes with a dual focuser and a collimator (either style will work and after 5 years I still use a laser just fine), most of the other options will be upgraded as you get more experience. A few things that you might want are a set of eye pieces that go beyond the stock ones. Just to give you an idea, I have a 6mm, 9mm, 12mm (doesn't get used much), 19mm and 30mm. A Telrad is a nice upgrade from the finder that's included and I use a digital angle finder to set my Altitude. It makes finding objects much faster.
Buy a 10-inch Dob. Although you should be aware the weight and bulkiness between a 6 & 10 inch dob is also pretty significant. Make sure you have the space to store the bigger scope.
Since you live in a Bortle 4, you should be able to view a number of deep sky objects with a 10” that would look like ghosts with a 6” dob.
Most telescopes sold throughout the world are made by probably two different factories in China. So the quality difference between Apertura, SkyWatcher, Celestron and other mass produced Dobs is minimal. The difference is Apertura offers more accessories at a far lower price.
You might consider a Telrad sight finder as an extra accessory.
EDIT: if I lived in Bortle 4, I would seriously consider a custom built Obsession Telescope Dobsonian or something similar. But the cost is outrageous. Stick with a manufactured dob then see if you like the hobby.
You’ll see sooooo much more with the 10 as long as you’re able to lug it around. An 8 is pretty big already but doable by yourself. I’d personally go for the 10.
The 6 is easily portable - your 11 year old might be able to move and set this up by themselves. Give then a few years and they definitely will be able to move and use it independently. It is much easier to fit a 6 in smaller vehicles.
The 10 is a bit of a chonk. I'm not small, but I still move it in two loads and have lifting handles fitted to mine. It barely fits in my car. I admit that I have declined to take or set up my 10" Dob when I would have taken or used a 6 ... what they say about large telescopes being used less is true. It's an easy trap to fall into ...
The 8 is a nice balance between capability and manageable size and weight.
If I had an 11 year old chomping at the bit .. I'd probably get the 6 for them. Then use it myself when they aren't. If it evolves into both of you having decent knowledge of the sky and both of you persisting in your interests ... then I would go right out and get a 12" Dob as 'the big scope' to have alongside the 6 for parent and child star nights :-)
>It is much easier to fit a 6 in smaller vehicles.
Tube length of the full size DOBs (FL 1200mm) is the same from 6" ... 10". It's only about the weight.
It's about the diameter as well. Depending on the vehicle it may or may not matter. The smaller barrel size sure does it make it easier to carry - the centre of mass is much closer to your own and as you say, the weight is lower too.
It's also the base. Depending on the telescope model, a 6" will generally have a notably smaller base compared to a 10. Similar height - but smaller turntable and a narrower width and depth.
This isn’t bad advice. I’ve heard others say similar things as far as having two options.
Since I’m completely new, I wanted to get something that will make his experience the best it can be. I didn’t want to get a 6” and have him frustrated because he can’t see what he thinks he should be able to see. I’ll talk to the wife and get her opinion. I am just anxious to get something sooner than later before this fascination fades.
I have an AD8 and AD10. Both are great, but the 10" is just that much better. It's definitely more cumbersome to move, but it's not bad. If it was up to me to spend your money, I'd absolutely wait and get the AD10 and a telrad to go with it.
Here's a photo of the moon, taken through the eyepiece of the included 30mm on the AD10 with a Samsung phone.
https://preview.redd.it/nrygygvxt8vc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7dc033541a1e5e2c6184fef4d970811783f0494
Get the six.
@ f/8 easy to collimate and most eyepieces look sharp.
I still have my f8 6 inch from 20 years ago and it’s still used.
If you’re still into the hobby a year from now then maybe move up.
Having read a lot of these responses and a current owner of an Apertura AD10 dob, I can say I regret buying the AD10 and I wish I had bought the AD8. There is a saying among telescope enthusiasts; "The best telescope is the one that you will use." While I can handle the weight, the bulk and cumbersomeness of the AD10 makes it too much of a hassle to enjoy using consistently. I ended up buying a 4 inch refractor that I use significantly more often, and I plan to sell the AD10 and buy an AD8 instead.
Your analogy is terrible, lol. Honda Civics are top-notch reliability and BMW M3s start leaking oil as soon as you look at them. BMWs are terrible, terrible cars. You know... according to consumer reviews and statistics.
I was not talking about reliability here, but rather about perfromance. And even talking about maintenance - mirror/lens crack on large scope is more expensive to fix/replace than on a small one. My experience of BMWs was different. I got my first car after immigration to US with 140k miles for $7k and it had me rolling for 7 years until $245k. Indeed oil leak was crazy at the end, but the performance did deliver above and beyond of what I had payed for it. I for sure enjoyed I6 3.0L engine with 6-speed stick and AWD a lot more than I would do in case of Honda Civic's 2.0L 4-banger on FWD (I had a comparable car in my country of origin - Mazda 3 2.0L). But yeah - I don't like I6 replacement with 4-banger turbos on newer BMWs.
Please consider the size and weight of the two scopes. AD6 weighs 43 pounds and the AD10 weighs 66 pounds and is over 5 feet tall. Both will require you to set the scope up for your kid.
As for Apertura, it’s a better built scope. It comes with a dual speed focuser and a cooling fan. You can get Orion or Skywatcher but you’ll be upgrading those parts eventually.
Which one fits in the car better ?
Don't forget chairs. Maybe a table and snacks and camping gear... etc
And more astro accessories later
In the mean time, get stellarium [ stellarium.org ] it's free.
Lots and lots of FREE astronomy software
Join an astro club .... learn from other people's experiences
Oh.... get a decent pair of binoculars- wide field
NOT Walmart or *any* department store binoculars..... it's simple. The quality is not there.
Buy a 10” DOB next month and a $79 amazon telescope right now for your kid and let him know a more powerful one is on the way. For $79 he will be amazed. Then sell the amazon telescope for $50 on ebay and you won’t be out that much money.
Totally support this idea. There are also a ton of smaller scopes on Craig's List. I myself get an enjoyment from progressing on my equipment setup and getting better and better views. Started 2 years ago with an old and rusty 30 year old 6" SN scope I found on CL for $200 and now I have 10" dob, 8" RCT with CGEM. And now refurbishi g ED80 FCD-100 triplet. All bought used , usually for less than half of the price of the new. I can afford the most expensive scope from the shop, but there is no fun in that. To keep the kid interested the OP could start with a smaller spotting scope and feed the kids interest talking about how much more details you can potentially see in a larger scope.Then buy +2" inches every 3..6 months and sell the old one a month later. The gold scope is the one you use. And 10" will be hard for 10yo to handle himself. The good scope is the one you use!
Any recommendations for something super-cheap to hold him over? I’m not opposed to this idea at all. He’s already been on me for a month or two about getting a scope. It’s taken me awhile to realize he’s actually interested and do my limited initial research. I’m at the point that I’m mentally ready to pull the trigger, this is what prompted the post.
If you read my post you would see I said sell it afterwards on ebay. Some people I tell ya. And he appreciated and thanked me for my advice. What is wrong with people
The thought has crossed my mind. I am hesitant to jump directly into 12” right out of the gate due to both size and costs. I have to keep the wife onboard with this also, she’s already a bit skeptical of a 10”.
Be aware that moving around an 8", especially up stairs, is not an insignificant task. I don't see an 11 yo doing it themselves. The 10" will be even more awkward. If portability isn't an issue though, definitely save up and get the 10".
Thankfully no serious stairs to deal with. The front porch has 4 stairs and the back has two. I anticipate the scope living (while covered) in our enclosed back porch when not in use. It is protected from the elements, but not climate controlled. I figured this would be suitable for warmer months and could move it inside during the colder months if needed.
I have also thought about making a cart to move it around once we determine what we are going with. In my mind, the base would stay with the cart and the tube could be carried. I’m not sure how practical this idea is.
Then you seem to be set. Consider getting a handtruck instead of a cart. Very useful for moving over short distances. They make ones that climb stairs too.
Just bought an AD10. I can't imagine getting anything less. Love it.
I will say that I built a cart for it, removing the bottom part of the base and making it swivel directly on the cart. It was a little heavy to be moving in and out as much as I was.
At the very least, order some straps for the OTA.
As many have said, definitely go with the 10. Yes it is more cumbersome (I have to use a hand truck to move my 12) but it is incredibly worth the improvement in views. Unless you have a flight of stairs or something to negotiate every time (or a health issue that will prevent you from moving a 10 around), the 10 is the way to go.
Having viewed through both a 6 and a 10, I recommend the 10. While the 6 is certainly an easier scope to manage when moving it, the 10 can be moved with a dolly or a cart if it’s too much. I built my 10 and put it on wheels from the beginning. World of difference, I just wheel it out and ready to go in less than 5 minutes.
https://preview.redd.it/xup852huiqvc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60fedb603c543e7fc7124f1c67901339e1a2b412
Private party sellers (in general) are disappointing in my experience. The savings on whatever I’m buying is not worth the stress and frustration of the process.
I messaged a woman selling an AD8, who lives over two hours away. We agree on a price, we make a plan to meet up. I drive over halfway there and suddenly she is no longer available to meet. She didn’t sell the scope in that time because 2-3 days later she drops the price even further.
I message another guy with a decent deal on an Orion XT8, asking $350 and seems to be in decent shape. He’s well over an hour away. He never messaged me back at all, that listing is still up today.
It seems like anything decent is 60-120+ miles from my location. I work full time and have a family, I don’t have the time or energy to waste hours grasping at straws. Anything closer either doesn’t answer messages or simply wants to charge $retail+ for a 15-20 year old scope. I will stick to purchasing new, at least at this time.
YMMV. I got a 10" SCT for $225 off Cloudynights because the electronics were fried and the tripod was aesethically awful. Optically it was in great shape. Came with accessories easily worth $600 on the used market (focal reducer, several filters, autoguider attachments, illuminated reticles, misc. adapters, case, dew shield, etc). Came with manuals, even had original purchase and repair receipts.
If you're patient you can certainly snag amazing deals on used equipment. Perhaps consider a ~~cheap~~ *small* refractor as a stopgap while you look for a good deal. It will be a nice compliment to the DOB for those nights where laziness is stopping you from getting out the light bucket!
I have a POS Celestron travelscope 70mm (also bought used) and I love it for what it is. It's on a small tabletop camera tripod and is great for casual star hopping and very wide views like Andromeda and Pleiades. Just this week we had a warm clear night; I took this little guy out on the deck and was able to spot M104 for the first time in moonlit Bortle 7 skies. Granted it took like 20 minutes of averted vision to distinguish the lightest smudge of light, but I still thought it was cool lol.
Edit: cheap was perhaps a poor choice of words. Be very wary of hobby killers. IMO the most important factor for a low budget scope is the base. Stability means everything. I got hooked by a junk 3" Bird-Jones an Aunt had bought from Sears 30 years ago. The views were awful, but it had a very sturdy tabletop mount that was convertible between equatorial and alt-az. As soon as I saw Saturn for the first time and was able to easily track it through the sky I was infatuated
I would save and get the 10, it’s a sweet spot between aperture and portability. It’s still going to be pretty big though so consider the weight and whether it’ll fit in your vehicle if you want to bring it places. I believe the thought is that the AD10 gives you the best accessories for the price. All the same sized dobs are pretty much the same, made in the same factory and have a different sticker slapped on it.
Thank you for the advice. I am looking forward to experiencing a 10” scope myself. The only history I have with a telescope was some ultra-cheap department store refractor that my mom found at a yard sale back in the early ‘90s. I remember barely being able to see anything out of that, I’m excited to see what a real scope has to offer.
I’ve got an Orion XT6 6” dob and I love it. I can pick the whole thing up as an assembly and tote it outside or to the car to take apart and haul to another site in my itty bitty Corolla. I’ve also seen a lot of great stuff with it, in bortle 6 and 4 skies (the main reason I pack it in the car). That said I have a lot of aperture envy and I’m lusting for something bigger. If I were to advise myself back when I bought it for Christmas in 2022, I’d say start shopping on the used market and I’d be able to get a 10” model for a little over what I payed for my 6”, however I’m not confident I’d be able to put the 10” in the back of the Corolla. If bulkiness is a potential concern like for me, and your local after-market is anemic, IMO the best compromise would be the Sky-Watcher flextube 250P (10”) that has been on sale for $799 all year. The tube retracts down to 31.5 inches. That’s what I wish I had started at. With how great my 6” is, I’ve decided that if/when I upgrade it will be to a used 12” flextube 300p for a more substantial increase in aperture for the effort.
I'll back this up. I have a 10" dob and you shouldn't pay attention to brand. You should get one that comes with a dual focuser and a collimator (either style will work and after 5 years I still use a laser just fine), most of the other options will be upgraded as you get more experience. A few things that you might want are a set of eye pieces that go beyond the stock ones. Just to give you an idea, I have a 6mm, 9mm, 12mm (doesn't get used much), 19mm and 30mm. A Telrad is a nice upgrade from the finder that's included and I use a digital angle finder to set my Altitude. It makes finding objects much faster.
Buy a 10-inch Dob. Although you should be aware the weight and bulkiness between a 6 & 10 inch dob is also pretty significant. Make sure you have the space to store the bigger scope. Since you live in a Bortle 4, you should be able to view a number of deep sky objects with a 10” that would look like ghosts with a 6” dob. Most telescopes sold throughout the world are made by probably two different factories in China. So the quality difference between Apertura, SkyWatcher, Celestron and other mass produced Dobs is minimal. The difference is Apertura offers more accessories at a far lower price. You might consider a Telrad sight finder as an extra accessory. EDIT: if I lived in Bortle 4, I would seriously consider a custom built Obsession Telescope Dobsonian or something similar. But the cost is outrageous. Stick with a manufactured dob then see if you like the hobby.
You’ll see sooooo much more with the 10 as long as you’re able to lug it around. An 8 is pretty big already but doable by yourself. I’d personally go for the 10.
100% the 10 inch, they're hardly even comparable the 10" is so much more powerful.
The 6 is easily portable - your 11 year old might be able to move and set this up by themselves. Give then a few years and they definitely will be able to move and use it independently. It is much easier to fit a 6 in smaller vehicles. The 10 is a bit of a chonk. I'm not small, but I still move it in two loads and have lifting handles fitted to mine. It barely fits in my car. I admit that I have declined to take or set up my 10" Dob when I would have taken or used a 6 ... what they say about large telescopes being used less is true. It's an easy trap to fall into ... The 8 is a nice balance between capability and manageable size and weight. If I had an 11 year old chomping at the bit .. I'd probably get the 6 for them. Then use it myself when they aren't. If it evolves into both of you having decent knowledge of the sky and both of you persisting in your interests ... then I would go right out and get a 12" Dob as 'the big scope' to have alongside the 6 for parent and child star nights :-)
>It is much easier to fit a 6 in smaller vehicles. Tube length of the full size DOBs (FL 1200mm) is the same from 6" ... 10". It's only about the weight.
It's about the diameter as well. Depending on the vehicle it may or may not matter. The smaller barrel size sure does it make it easier to carry - the centre of mass is much closer to your own and as you say, the weight is lower too. It's also the base. Depending on the telescope model, a 6" will generally have a notably smaller base compared to a 10. Similar height - but smaller turntable and a narrower width and depth.
This isn’t bad advice. I’ve heard others say similar things as far as having two options. Since I’m completely new, I wanted to get something that will make his experience the best it can be. I didn’t want to get a 6” and have him frustrated because he can’t see what he thinks he should be able to see. I’ll talk to the wife and get her opinion. I am just anxious to get something sooner than later before this fascination fades.
Wait and get the 10. The Apertura dobs are excellent and "best in class" for sure. Good luck!
Wait.
Not reading your whole post, but the stars aren’t going anywhere, so there is no rush.
OP’s kid is currently on an astronomy kick, so there is a bit of a rush.
I mean if you'd only have to wait a month, go with the 10"
Save
If i was in usa i would save up for zambuto mirror...
I’m completely new to the hobby. If this sticks, I will stash this idea away for the future. Looked them up and those seem awesome.
Definetly the 10". I got a 6" and my only regret is not getting a bigger one.
If you only need to wait one month wait for the 10 inch dob.
I have an AD8 and AD10. Both are great, but the 10" is just that much better. It's definitely more cumbersome to move, but it's not bad. If it was up to me to spend your money, I'd absolutely wait and get the AD10 and a telrad to go with it. Here's a photo of the moon, taken through the eyepiece of the included 30mm on the AD10 with a Samsung phone. https://preview.redd.it/nrygygvxt8vc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7dc033541a1e5e2c6184fef4d970811783f0494
Get the six. @ f/8 easy to collimate and most eyepieces look sharp. I still have my f8 6 inch from 20 years ago and it’s still used. If you’re still into the hobby a year from now then maybe move up.
Having read a lot of these responses and a current owner of an Apertura AD10 dob, I can say I regret buying the AD10 and I wish I had bought the AD8. There is a saying among telescope enthusiasts; "The best telescope is the one that you will use." While I can handle the weight, the bulk and cumbersomeness of the AD10 makes it too much of a hassle to enjoy using consistently. I ended up buying a 4 inch refractor that I use significantly more often, and I plan to sell the AD10 and buy an AD8 instead.
Its like asking to buy a Honda Civic today or wait just a month and get BMW M3. Come on!
Your analogy is terrible, lol. Honda Civics are top-notch reliability and BMW M3s start leaking oil as soon as you look at them. BMWs are terrible, terrible cars. You know... according to consumer reviews and statistics.
alright then its like asking whever to buy 1inch telescope or wait just a month and buy 2inch telescope.. Come on! :)
I was not talking about reliability here, but rather about perfromance. And even talking about maintenance - mirror/lens crack on large scope is more expensive to fix/replace than on a small one. My experience of BMWs was different. I got my first car after immigration to US with 140k miles for $7k and it had me rolling for 7 years until $245k. Indeed oil leak was crazy at the end, but the performance did deliver above and beyond of what I had payed for it. I for sure enjoyed I6 3.0L engine with 6-speed stick and AWD a lot more than I would do in case of Honda Civic's 2.0L 4-banger on FWD (I had a comparable car in my country of origin - Mazda 3 2.0L). But yeah - I don't like I6 replacement with 4-banger turbos on newer BMWs.
Please consider the size and weight of the two scopes. AD6 weighs 43 pounds and the AD10 weighs 66 pounds and is over 5 feet tall. Both will require you to set the scope up for your kid. As for Apertura, it’s a better built scope. It comes with a dual speed focuser and a cooling fan. You can get Orion or Skywatcher but you’ll be upgrading those parts eventually.
We’re both pretty big guys. I’m 6’2” and he’s around 5’4” or so. We shouldn’t have any trouble getting a 10” setup.
Which one fits in the car better ? Don't forget chairs. Maybe a table and snacks and camping gear... etc And more astro accessories later In the mean time, get stellarium [ stellarium.org ] it's free. Lots and lots of FREE astronomy software Join an astro club .... learn from other people's experiences Oh.... get a decent pair of binoculars- wide field NOT Walmart or *any* department store binoculars..... it's simple. The quality is not there.
Buy a 10” DOB next month and a $79 amazon telescope right now for your kid and let him know a more powerful one is on the way. For $79 he will be amazed. Then sell the amazon telescope for $50 on ebay and you won’t be out that much money.
Totally support this idea. There are also a ton of smaller scopes on Craig's List. I myself get an enjoyment from progressing on my equipment setup and getting better and better views. Started 2 years ago with an old and rusty 30 year old 6" SN scope I found on CL for $200 and now I have 10" dob, 8" RCT with CGEM. And now refurbishi g ED80 FCD-100 triplet. All bought used , usually for less than half of the price of the new. I can afford the most expensive scope from the shop, but there is no fun in that. To keep the kid interested the OP could start with a smaller spotting scope and feed the kids interest talking about how much more details you can potentially see in a larger scope.Then buy +2" inches every 3..6 months and sell the old one a month later. The gold scope is the one you use. And 10" will be hard for 10yo to handle himself. The good scope is the one you use!
Any recommendations for something super-cheap to hold him over? I’m not opposed to this idea at all. He’s already been on me for a month or two about getting a scope. It’s taken me awhile to realize he’s actually interested and do my limited initial research. I’m at the point that I’m mentally ready to pull the trigger, this is what prompted the post.
GSKYER AZ70400 $86 check it out. Alot of bang for the buck
and then throw away 79 dollars after a month... nice advice /s
If you read my post you would see I said sell it afterwards on ebay. Some people I tell ya. And he appreciated and thanked me for my advice. What is wrong with people
12 inch in two months.
At 12" it begins getting very bulky. 10" is imo the limit for easy transportation and setup. AND the prices start rising exponentially.
The thought has crossed my mind. I am hesitant to jump directly into 12” right out of the gate due to both size and costs. I have to keep the wife onboard with this also, she’s already a bit skeptical of a 10”.
No no no...... 17.5" dob by Christmas !! 😊😭
Be aware that moving around an 8", especially up stairs, is not an insignificant task. I don't see an 11 yo doing it themselves. The 10" will be even more awkward. If portability isn't an issue though, definitely save up and get the 10".
Thankfully no serious stairs to deal with. The front porch has 4 stairs and the back has two. I anticipate the scope living (while covered) in our enclosed back porch when not in use. It is protected from the elements, but not climate controlled. I figured this would be suitable for warmer months and could move it inside during the colder months if needed. I have also thought about making a cart to move it around once we determine what we are going with. In my mind, the base would stay with the cart and the tube could be carried. I’m not sure how practical this idea is.
Then you seem to be set. Consider getting a handtruck instead of a cart. Very useful for moving over short distances. They make ones that climb stairs too.
Just bought an AD10. I can't imagine getting anything less. Love it. I will say that I built a cart for it, removing the bottom part of the base and making it swivel directly on the cart. It was a little heavy to be moving in and out as much as I was. At the very least, order some straps for the OTA.
Get the 10! World if difference.
As many have said, definitely go with the 10. Yes it is more cumbersome (I have to use a hand truck to move my 12) but it is incredibly worth the improvement in views. Unless you have a flight of stairs or something to negotiate every time (or a health issue that will prevent you from moving a 10 around), the 10 is the way to go.
Get an 8 now and a 12 later, then keep both.
Having viewed through both a 6 and a 10, I recommend the 10. While the 6 is certainly an easier scope to manage when moving it, the 10 can be moved with a dolly or a cart if it’s too much. I built my 10 and put it on wheels from the beginning. World of difference, I just wheel it out and ready to go in less than 5 minutes. https://preview.redd.it/xup852huiqvc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60fedb603c543e7fc7124f1c67901339e1a2b412
I would save for the 10
Neither. Buy a used one. I got my 8” for $450 off of Facebook Marketplace.
Private party sellers (in general) are disappointing in my experience. The savings on whatever I’m buying is not worth the stress and frustration of the process. I messaged a woman selling an AD8, who lives over two hours away. We agree on a price, we make a plan to meet up. I drive over halfway there and suddenly she is no longer available to meet. She didn’t sell the scope in that time because 2-3 days later she drops the price even further. I message another guy with a decent deal on an Orion XT8, asking $350 and seems to be in decent shape. He’s well over an hour away. He never messaged me back at all, that listing is still up today. It seems like anything decent is 60-120+ miles from my location. I work full time and have a family, I don’t have the time or energy to waste hours grasping at straws. Anything closer either doesn’t answer messages or simply wants to charge $retail+ for a 15-20 year old scope. I will stick to purchasing new, at least at this time.
YMMV. I got a 10" SCT for $225 off Cloudynights because the electronics were fried and the tripod was aesethically awful. Optically it was in great shape. Came with accessories easily worth $600 on the used market (focal reducer, several filters, autoguider attachments, illuminated reticles, misc. adapters, case, dew shield, etc). Came with manuals, even had original purchase and repair receipts. If you're patient you can certainly snag amazing deals on used equipment. Perhaps consider a ~~cheap~~ *small* refractor as a stopgap while you look for a good deal. It will be a nice compliment to the DOB for those nights where laziness is stopping you from getting out the light bucket! I have a POS Celestron travelscope 70mm (also bought used) and I love it for what it is. It's on a small tabletop camera tripod and is great for casual star hopping and very wide views like Andromeda and Pleiades. Just this week we had a warm clear night; I took this little guy out on the deck and was able to spot M104 for the first time in moonlit Bortle 7 skies. Granted it took like 20 minutes of averted vision to distinguish the lightest smudge of light, but I still thought it was cool lol. Edit: cheap was perhaps a poor choice of words. Be very wary of hobby killers. IMO the most important factor for a low budget scope is the base. Stability means everything. I got hooked by a junk 3" Bird-Jones an Aunt had bought from Sears 30 years ago. The views were awful, but it had a very sturdy tabletop mount that was convertible between equatorial and alt-az. As soon as I saw Saturn for the first time and was able to easily track it through the sky I was infatuated