After many years of lying back in the grass gazing up, I think I have
finally outgrown my 7X50 binoculars. But what next? I have about NZ$1000
budget for a 'scope. I have read and understand the differences in the types
of telescopes, refractor, reflector, and those funny "fold the light in
half" scopes (I figure the latter are out of the question due to price), but
what do I choose? for NZ$895 I can get an 8" Dob
(http://www.astronomy.co.nz/pub/GS680.asp) or for NZ$995 an 8" Newtonian
(http://www.astronomy.co.nz/pub/GS600.asp), I could possible stretch my
budget to a 10" Dob, NZ$1195.

But what to choose? Should I even be looking at reflectors? should I
seriously consider a refractor? I fully intend to spend many hours oooo-ing
and ahhhhh-ing over the rings of Saturn, are reflectors the right scope for
this?

Help?!?


Steve S