[Jen]

I also went from a 6"inch newt to a 12" dobbie best thing I have ever bought I love him ( johnny ) the only prob I do have he is a bit too big for a little girl like me to carry in one piece dam it's heavy
get a 2.5 x televue powermate and use the 12mm eyepiece for the planets is perfect any closer than that I think you lose in clarity IMHO
the only prob I do have is the cord wrap around too not to mention how many times ive tripped over the thing and ripped the cord out grrrrrr so make sure you get a battery pack that can fit in the dob ( my next purchase )
I currently have the celestron power pack which I have Been told that it may not be powerful enough for it mine seems to struggle going down between 80 and 60 degrees and I'm starting to see a pattern that starts to happen half way through the evening and now that I have dew straps connected oh boy it chews the power like nothing neally 3 hours yikes
So make sure you get the power right and the scope will keep you entertained for many years to come happy viewing