[RightWhale]

Build your own. Dobsonians are about as simple as can be. You might even consider making your own mirror, but that requires a considerable investment of time, and mirror blanks aren't all that cheap anymore.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Dobs are OK but not for tracking or imaging as I am sure you are aware. I have found that imaging with film or CCD opens up the telescope to its full potential.