Hi Jom,
to the mad house. You're going through the same unponderables that many on here have done.
I've got both an EQ6 newt and a 10" Dob. If you are going to be visual and a newbie the bigger Dob will give you more bang for buck and be a heck of a lot easier to use.
For the price you will pay for a EQ5 mount and suitable newt you will easily get a bigger better Dob ( and I recommend a 10" rather than an 8" ) that will give you views that will astound you..
The EQ mount is the only way to go for serious astrophotography but can be a real awkward beast to play with on visual.
I know they look like 'the thing' to look at but they are not 'the thing' to look through. Difficulties getting it to point where you want, awkward eyepiece positions and unless you can afford a big mount you are restricted to the size and weight the mount can handle.
I think most others on here would concur that a biggish Dob is the best starting place for beginners.
The beauty is that whatever you start with now can easily be sold on later when you decide to follow another idea. Plenty of good second hand gear listed on here and astrogeeks being what they are, normally in damn good upgraded condition with plenty of advice to get you going. Most of my equipment has been part of someone elses upgrade path other than the Dob which I built myself.
Good luck with whatever you decide and don't forget to post a 'first light' report.
