Aloha
Big scopes are nice
BUT they do as you said create problems (weight,
storage,transport,mount) and with the long focal length create a
narrow field of view. Again, one scope to do everything (wide
field to deep observing AND bright) good luck. The
solution in my opinion is to get a wide field refractor and mount it
on the main scope. My old C-8 has an inexpensive 80mm refractor
from Orion and sometimes is more fun than my C-8 or my 12.5, so get
two scopes, it'll cost less and be much more fun.
Aloha from Dark Skys
Maui
Rob
PS Here's how the C-8/ST-80 look