This is a rhetorical question and not meant to offend anyone or ignite a flame war, but this has perplexed me for a while now.
While researching my first scope (an 8" dob), the major rule seemed to be "aperature rules"... the more light you get in the better off you'll be when peering into the cosmos.
So if I can buy a newtonian reflector with 200mm of light gathering power (albeit a reversed image) for $400, why would I want to buy a 90mm refractor at over twice the price? Overall, refractors seem to be much more expensive and to my limited thinking, you get less scope???
Obviously there's more to this equation than simply light-gathering power? Thanks in advance for your enlightenment...