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APOs crush SCTs only when the APO is large. Otherwise you are limited to very bright objects.
Even globular clusters are quite dim in a 4 inch APO. You need around 6 inch APOs to really start getting the wow factor.
Whereas an 8 inch SCT is quite bright and shows a lot of detail. I take it that is why they have been so popular over the years. That and the go-to plus tripod and guiding at a much lower price. A 6 inch APO is roughly equivalent to an 8 inch SCT in viewing power as APOs don't have a central obstruction. My TEC180 is the equivalent roughly (a bit less) in views to a Celestron Nexstar 11 I had. The TEC is of course sharper but I personally found the views through an SCT mesmerising and the go-tos are just the best. Plus the viewing position is much more comfortable. You can get into some very uncomfortable positions with APOs as they are so long. SCTs are compact.
This is also the problem with Newts. They are very short focal length for the same sized tube as an SCT and as a result you are back to widefield views. Unless you use a barlow. Plus Newts are harder to collimate, tend to be bulky for the aperture and show coma really easily compared to an SCT.
Anyway that is my experience.
Greg.
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