[chrissara]

Ah yes...well things have improved on the health front with the missus (and I thank all the members here, especially Gargoyle_Steve, for all their kind words and support - chemo does knock a person around awfully) and it is time to re-consider buying a telescope.

Given that I am unlikely given recent events to be able to spend long periods of time at night viewing the stars, I figured I may as well go back to obtaining a good quality scope, but under $1000.

As such I have narrowed it down to two options;
(a) a Dob; or
(b) a Goto telescope such as the lower ETX models, a Bushnell, Celestron etc.

If I lean towards point (b), I would be looking for the best bang for buck. Goto's by their very nature are pricey, and I would suggest compromises are made in the optics to cover the costs of the mechanics etc.

You comments would be greatly appeciated. My leanings are towards a Goto becuase of the size and portability. Yes I can get a 12" DOB for under $1000, but I have to seriously question my enthuasism in using it in the long term as opposed to a simple set-up and goto type scope.

NB I would be interested in second hand scopes as well.