Hi kjassi and to everyone else in the thread!
I am a complete beginner myself and I have ended up with a Sky Watcher 8 inch Dobsonian right off the bat, as a lucky chance I was able to score one very cheaply due to the seller having to move overseas. I've found it to be incredibly easy to use and in terms of portability has served me well - I drive a Toyota Starlet and the scope and base fit easily into my car. They are also light enough to lift separately with ease
I came across a helpful list of telescope comparisons for types of use in "Nightwatch", by Terence Dickinson, which I'll link below. In fact, if you can get your hands on a copy of that book, I find it excellent. Sadly the star charts are all for northern skies, but the information about telescopes and astronomy in general is invaluable for beginners
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...53546697_n.jpg
Chelle