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I'll summarise the pros and cons of go-to versus manual in dobs.
Go-To
Pros
- no need to star hop or learn the sky
- usually quick and easy to set up
- maximises time at eypiece
Cons
-$$$$
- you get less aperture for the same dollars and aperture always wins (IMHO)
- you still need to learn a bit of the sky to align
- you need to align once gear is setup
- more things to go wrong
- dependant upon batteries or a power source
- to get best value you will proably still need to use charts or guides to figure out what to point the scope at anyway.
Manual
Pros
- less $$$$ per inch of aperture eg 12" dob is only around $850 - $1000 as against $2000 - $3000 for same in go to.
- Even easier to setup
- no alignment
- no electrical power required unless for dew heaters
- less to go wrong mechanically or electically
- no handset procedures to learn or figure out in the dark
Cons
- you have to get charts
- you have to learn the night sky a bit (but isn't that we are wanting to do anyway?)
As you can tell I am a fan of manual, while go-to has its place and everyone is different, you need to know how they differ for the money and it is usually not a good idea to sacrifice aperture for the sake of go-to.
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