tp,
Unless I'm mistaken, Andrews have an 8" SW collapsible dob for around $599 with the option of adding the Go-To upgrade later.........
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/optical-telescopes .....scroll down and you will find it.
Compared to an EQ mounted 'scope, they are simpler and easier for someone starting out........not that I should talk as I jumped in the deep end with an EQ6 and Celestron 9.25, but that was my choice after a lot of research.
As others have suggested, it would be an educating experience if you could get to one of the Mangrove Mountain nights.