Orion XT12G or skywatcher GOTO 10" Dobsonian

[TheAstroChannel]

Hi everyone! I am on a budget at the moment for upgrading to a big rig. I have a budget of $2000 which I should have saved up by late this year. I am currently contemplating whether to get the Orion Skyquest XT12G or the Skywatcher GOTO 10". Both are Dobsonians. I was looking at the skywatcher 10" originally since i really didn't want to go up to the 12" Price range. I have recently discovered the Orion Dobsonian range and the 12" is roughly the same price as the 10" Skywatcher. I need some advice on which one to get.
I want a scope with a lot of power and since i can currently get some decent images with an ALT-AZ goto mount, i don't think it would be necessary right now to go for a full astrophotography set-up.

Which scope would suit me better in the long run?
Thanks, Sean.

[Allan]

I chose an Orion GOTO Dob because amongst the mass produced telescopes I think they are the best engineered and constructed Dobs on the market. I still consider that true after a couple of years worth of comparisons. Although there is little difference to Skywatcher Dobs which are also of good quality.

But it is unfair to compare the 10" Skywatcher to a 12" Orion on performance, because the 12" will be a little better.

Which scope would suit you better in the long run? It boils down to whether you can handle the size of the 12". That means moving it around and transporting it to dark sites. If so, definitely jump at the 12" and you won't look back.

[TheAstroChannel]

Thanks Al, I think I am being steered into the Orion Direction.
:)

[Allan_L]

I currently have a Skywatcher 12" GoTo FlexDOB, and I am very happy with it. Before that I had a Skywatcher 10" FlexDOB (non GoTo) and I was very happy with that too. Notably the 10" was much easier to move around.
I have looked at and through a few Orions DOBs (truss and solid) and I am of the opinion that the Orion is superior to the equivalent Skywatcher (albeit not by a huge amount).
But if you are comparing the SW10" to an Orion12" the Orion has got to win (IMHO).

[TheAstroChannel]

Thanks Allan! :D Again, a lot of useful notes :)

[andrew2008]

Is that the solid tube Orion? If so I would be leaning to the Skywatcher. A solid tube 12" can be challenging to move about.

[TheAstroChannel]

It is a solid tube. But as i am young and have a lot of built up strength from being so active all the time, and i have found that moving big equipment around has never been a real problem for myself.