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Matt you make some important points about the evolution of our hobby, or obsession. Big Dobs have a lot of attraction to visual observers, until the realities of managing them, and their cost, etc emerge. I sold my 16" Dob because, as good as the views were, i was using it less and less due to the hassles associated with it. No doubt that SDM make wonderful 'Objet d'Art' but ease of use, concern about maintaining the finish, transport and security, intrude. As you point out, age has alot to do with our scope ownership decisions, and bad backs, hips, knees, etc lead us to seek less weighty and complex solution. Declining eyesight also mitigates the big advantage of large Dobs, and force many of us into imaging. I know of one person currently getting a very large Dob built, and no doubt it will be spectacular, and i would love to have a look through it (with my one reasonably good eye) but the reality of ladder observation, cost, management, etc will keep my feet on the ground in my observatory. These are only my opinions.
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