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I bought my 1st scope 8 months ago (300mm dob) which obviously does not have goto and I have learnt so much about the nite sky because I have to do the searching not some computer chip. Ive got Starry nite starter(basic) on my pc and I use this to plan what I'm going to look at, I then print off a sky view and head outside. This alone makes me more familar with the constellations and other DSO's and then searching for the object is all part of the experience. I get a real sense of achievment when I find what i'm looking for. We often talk about the WOW factor in astronomy. I get a WOW when I actually find the object and a second WOW simply looking at it in the EP(Having a 300mm aperture helps!)
My opinion, FWIW is to go BIG ( or as big as you can afford) and forget the GOTO. Remember, the extra money you spend on a GOTO setup isnt going to make you see an object any better,just quicker, only a bigger lens/mirror can do that. And isnt that what observational astronomy is all about, the view in the EP? Hope this helps
Simon
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