I can't do much observing anymore because of where I live. Too many big trees and security lights in my area. But back when I could I loved it. If I ever get to move again it will be to somewhere where the seeing is much better than this.

First off, no amount of money or aperture-itis is going to provide sights as good as those in astronomy books. A wide aperture does provide more light accumulation than the human eye but there is a limit to what that can do. To bring out intense colors like you see in books requires a timed exposure. In other words you need a camera. Astrophotography is an advanced technique requiring more than a simple "point-n-go" scope can do. You'll still need to learn to use an equatorial mount or something similar with a tracking motor.

Point-n-Go scopes can be nice but I wouldn't invest a whole lot of money in one. I consider those scopes to be beginners scopes. Something you learn where the major stars are and how to use a telescope with before you move on to a better scope. Basically how they work is you point them at a couple of stars that you can identify and then the computer calculates the location of everything else in the sky based on those. One thing they usually don't tell you before you buy one is that while the computer knows where lots of stars are that doesn't mean they are actually bright enough for you to see even in the scope that the computer is controlling. They might convince you to invest in an upgrade to the computers catalog but unless your primary mirror is bigger than a cake plate you aren't going to see any more stars than you did with the basic catalog.

Next, while a nice big primary mirror is very tempting it's useless without good quality accessories. A big mirror with a wobbly mount or wobbly focuser is trash. A big mirror with a good mount and focuser and lousy eyepieces is almost as bad especially if you wear glasses or have astigmatism. I like wide eyepieces with long eye relief myself because those are good for wide field deep space views. Those cost almost as much as a scope. To me personally a simple dobsonian 6"-8" with a good mount, a nice collection of really good eyepieces and a set of star charts is better than a big huge expensive scope with point-n-go. Then you save money for the dream scope. Chances are your eyepiece collection will still work with the dream scope when you get it so you will actually be ahead of the game.

Lori