Hi Blackcat,
I have an 8" reflector (not a dob) on an HEQ5 Pro and this is an awesome visual/AP rig.
Andrews has this for :
BD 203 x 1000 Newt. w/HEQ5PRO package
$1599
Although they shut on Wed 21st Dec.....bummer
However, this scope is great for visual, tracks beautifully for AP (although needs a slight mirror screw mod to get the camera to focus with an MPCC (coma corrector) in line) but generally is around your budget, but for me is the perfect blend for occasional AP as well as planetary with a webcam and visual just like a dob will give.
Keeping costs low initially with a dob is a great idea however, simply because they resell well if you dont really get into it and as discussed can be converted to an HEQ5 or HEQ6 quite easily later on....
Dob use is a doddle, take it out, plonk it down and point it anywhere or simply cruise around and see what is there. A goto like mine requires alignment and a battery pack and is more fiddly, however if you are a techy sort of person, its really easy.
Start small with the dob, just keep this scope in mind as its great value for money.
If you want to see some of the pics I have taken, click
here for a solar pic,
here for a Jupiter shot,
here for a Lagoon Nebula Shot,
here for M20 Trifid Nebula,
here for M22 Globular Cluster and
here for a picture of the scope itself.
Gratuitous self promotion intended.....
Cheers
Chris