Just done an A/B with the skywatcher 1200mm 8" DOB and the Skywatcher 8" 1000mm newt (HEQ5). I am interested in planets, and so did the testing on saturn tonight. Conclusion: the DOB won hands down! The planet stayed pin sharp up to 240x and even barlowed was pretty good, detail was superb. Very relaxed viewing. Disappointingly my new Explorer 200 simply doesn't give the same. Image didn't stand the same magnification, nowhere near as much detail, whiter, softer image!! What do i do Go for a refractor after all! AAARRHHHHH!!!!!!