While not a direct comparison, I have an 8 inch "tube" Dob and a 12.5 inch truss Dob...for a quick look see in the backyard, it is hard to beat the speed of set-up of the 8 inch tube...but, if I am loading up the car far and away (to me) the truss is more managable...the 8 inch fits but takes up more "difficult shape" space.
So, if most of your observing is on your property, I'd save the money and get the tube...however, if you will need to travel via car to an observing site, get the truss...I say this from a space utilization standpoint...
Are the views or optics any better
..I don't know.
I can not speak for the red dot finder but I prefer the telrad to a finderscope so I'll probably lean that way (in favor of red dot)...
Can't speak to your other questions...