LX200 12 or big Dob

[Daveken]

I've found a nice second hand LX200 12 inch scope for sale. This will be my first foray into GOTO Astonomy and my main area of interest will be astrophotography, primarily planetary photography. I saw Saturn last year in my Dob and it blew me away. With my budget (around £3k) I've found new 14 or 16 inch GOTO Dobs for sale, is bigger always better. Which would be better for the planets? Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Dave

[Peter Drew]

For planetary photography the 12" SCT, no contest. Some of the best planetary images have been obtained with similar equipment. 

[keithatrochdale]

What are their mounts like?

Any problems to look for?

.

[ollypenrice]

Meade mounts are tending towards the cheap and nasty but, to be fair, they have a tendency to work quite well unless you want to do long exposure deep sky astrophotography. For planetary with a fast frame camera they should be great. They tend to be a bargain because folks give up on them for long exposure deep sky and sell them.

Olly