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Hi Joe
You are asking all the right questions and Allan has given you all the answers.
I have just purchased a 12" solid tube from Bintel in Sydney, I would suggest a visit to their store in Melbourne. My initial idea was like you with the truss tube but Michael at Bintel in Sydney changed my mind to the solid tube. Only set back with a 12" solid tube is they are huge, luckily so am I. The beauty of the solid tube is it holds its collimation very nicely. Not much to collimating once you get the grasp so don't be put off by that. No need for shrouds and dew hasn't been an issue with it and where I live it rains dew most nights.
Don't discount a solid tube and perhaps a trolley if you think you will have trouble moving it. It is more awkward than heavy, picture a hot water tank with a big mirror in the bottom without a top on the tank and that is best description I can give to a 12" solid tube.
Good luck with your decision and welcome to the best astronomy forum there is.
Wayne
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