This is my first reflector/first equatorial mount, so there is a learning curve, not only in finding objects, but finding
them AND being comfortable while viewing.
Throw in the higher magnifications, Earth's rotation, etc, and it can be frustrating.
I went cheap. The GOTO scopes are worth considering for getting a lot of objects in a short amount of time.
I don't think I was successful with Saturn because of TOD/or weather, but Jupiter is a snap. I generally see the milky
view, with some of the moons as points.
Take a gander at http://home.inreach.com/starlord/
It's a Telescope Buyers FAQ for a starting point.
Aye, I imagine an equatorial mount is a bit difficult to get used to at first.
I've had a few looks at Saturn this past week with my binos. It's frustrating. You can sense that if you could just had a little bit more oomph you could see its rings. When I settle down in this world, I'm going to buy me a nice one- a Ferrari of scopes- might even build myself a nice little dome shaped observatory to keep it in ;-)