Hey Tony,
I think in short, go with whatever you can afford. By the way, Dob-reflector as already stated. My own rule of thumb to keep note of is that a reflector needs to be about a quarter bigger than its refracting-power cousin e.g. an 8" reflector is about as powerful as a 6" refractor, a 12" reflector as powerful as an 8" or 9" refractor.
After that, factors include portability, usage intention (photography later on, or just simple oserving), weight according to the person using it, tracking capabilities be it motorised or equatorially mounted.
I'd go for a refractor over a reflector if I could afford it. Simply because the refractor is smaller but more powerful, but about the same weight, and can give (percentage-wise) as good an image as a reflector in terms of brightness etc (thanks to new glass and coatings technologies).
Seanie.
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
  