Ken, You really are a card. This one nearly killed me!!!!!!
Welcome lookupinthesky.
The # 1 rule is "Aperture Wins", but it all depends on which way you want to go. Visual or Astrophotography. If visual, then biggest DOB you can fit/afford. If Astro.P/graphic, the sky's the limit.... no pun intended...
Go to the Astro camp in Ballarat & look thru lots of t'scopes. Ask lots of Q's. Join your local Society/club.
HTH.
L.
Lookupinthesky, here's the link to the page. Scroll down a bit for all the info.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...0&page=5&pp=20