How’s the choosing going so far Dan? Nice and confused yet?
Typically, the answers you get on threads like this is a spread of other people’s preferences and experiences and they may or may not turn out to be directly relevant to you. The big difference between the new people asking the questions and the more established people answering them is that the experienced ones have a pretty good idea (with hindsight) as to how their own interest developed. But there are many different preferences and objectives, and the most suitable equipment for the tasks will differ too.
If you haven’t already read them I’d suggest checking out two excellent articles on this site, by Brian Nolan.
Part 1: General Principles for Choosing your first Telescope
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,260,0,0,1,0
Part 2: What’s wrong with each of my Scopes.
He covers the main choices - binoculars, Newtonians (either with or without a Dobsoninan mount), and Cassegrains. In his view, they all have advantages and disadvantages.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,261,0,0,1,0
Good luck with the selection, and be prepared to buy more than one if the hobby gets a grip on you.
Cheers,
Chris