Look out cjmarsh. you are about to be inundated by the dobbing fraternity. So being an EQer with SCT and refractors I'll get in first. Get a dob.
For $1500 you will pick up a great buy of either a 10" or 12" GS Dob and have lots of room left for good quality eyepieces. If you go the 10" at around $700 you can get the really really really good eyepieces, but if you get the 12" you only get the really really good eyepieces.
JM2CW but what do I know I take pictures
, so the above is sort of a summary of the advice you are about to receive.