RichA wrote in message . ..

The ETX weighs about 14lbs.
An 8" LX200 about 45.
A 10" about 65.
Think about that before deciding.
-rich

Rich has a good point.

I followed almost exactly the same path as you propose (except I
started with an ETX90). I bought the ETX new to "check" I was serious
before plonking all my cash on a "big" scope. To be honest, I regret
wasting time doing that - but I did learn the sky a bit better before
getting the more serious scope as an upgrade. My next scope was a
second hand 10" LX200. I selected this as being the minimum aperture I
wanted balanced against my ability to carry it.

After about 6 months of struggling up and down the stairs to set this
beast up, I can honestly report that my enthusiasm waned (something I
wouldn't have thought possible). Unless skies were absolutely
pristine, and the forecast was for them to remain that way all night,
I wouldn't bother setting up. Too many episodes of struggle and
alignment followed by waiting 2 hours cool-down, then the bloody
clouds would roll in and I'd have to break it down and truck it all
back indoors without even getting to use it! That wore thin really
quick!

Thankfully my plan included moving to an imaging setup mounted
permanently in a roll-off roof observatory. For I while (prior to
building the observatory, but while buying the "parts"), I used an
Orion 80ED (bought for use as a guide scope) as a quick look scope -
to the total exclusion of the 10" LX200. It got my enthusiasm back up
to par in no time. I wouldn't have believed this either until I
experienced it myself. I really enjoyed the views through the little
scope, and didn't feel the experience was "spoilt" because I wasn't
using the maximum aperture available to me at the time. Guess I was
learning the truth of the advice, like Rich's, that I'd (unconciously)
discounted.

Now I've got everything mounted in the observatory - it's a dream. I
plan to upgrade to a 14" LX200 this February and my enthusiasm knows
no bounds :-)

Returning to the topic, I'd like to amplify Rich's point; Based on my
own direct experience, I'd say that unless you plan to permanently
mount your scope in the (not too distant) future, you will likely get
more use from an 8" LX200. And you'll save some cash that you could
put to a nice Nagler or two.

(But I wouldn't mind betting you'll still want to get the 10" :-)

Cheers
Beats