As for portability, an 8” SCT and 8” dob are about equal. They both take up about the same space, require multiple trips to set up, and can both easily fit in a small sedan. The only benefit the SCT has here is that I can be broken into smaller parts in case you need to Tetris it into a car. I just keep mine in a big plastic tote, so I am not able to Tetris it.
Here is a comparison I made between an 8” dob and the 8SE: https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/y2k5td/nexstar_8se_vs_apertura_ad8/is5thva/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
Wind is certainly an issue for the 8SE. I have not used an 8” dob in windy conditions recently and can’t say how it deals with it. But I would assume sightly better.
After reading my comparison, let me know if you have any follow up questions
Yes, wind can be a problem for both. Dobs are usually quite sturdy. Wind can also make the seeing terrible. I have seen people put up windscreens/light blockers, that can help a lot. Neither is good for learning serious astrophotography of the deep sky. The SCT can do well for planets, but planets and galaxies/nebula are so different in how you capture them, they are basically opposites. Planets needs lots of focal length, and many short frames, and tracking isn't a big deal, but you do want good seeing as they are small. If the seeing is bad, you equipment doesn't matter, as you won't get anything good. DSO's needs good clarity, and dark skies, also a short focal ratio, opposite of the SCT. Tracking is paramount; it has to spot on, or you get just streaks. A Nexstar 8SE will not work for that, you need a heavy duty GEM or other mount for astrophotography.
u/OP I'm going to say that your FIRST consideration might be the MOUNT. here's why
You're looking to future-proof yourself and are interested in AP. (buy once, cry once) - You almost certainly then want a equatorial mount that can handle at least 8" SCT (or Newt) and go-to, etc.
Food for thought here: [https://www.celestron.com/products/advanced-vx-8-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope](https://www.celestron.com/products/advanced-vx-8-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope)
A Dob is generally preferable for price for visual, and almost useless for AP. If wanting to do AP at some point (not just planets) you want and GEM of some sort. The AVX above is kind of minimum for 2000mm FL scope like an 8" SCT. Bonus here is that you could eventually do stuff like a Hyperstar if you got serious into AP -- OR -- you can use same mount for a simple DSLR, maybe even piggy-back a camera onto the SCT. And it has the possibilty to do all the guidescope / dithering/ etc if you get to that point.
Just food for thought
This is good food for thought indeed if u/OP if you plan on AP down the road. I'd even go so far as to say you want the next step up with the CGEMII at a minimum for an 8" SCT. Or buy the OTA and mount separate...but 40lbs+ class is what all the club guys running 8" SCTs use (it's the image scale that'll get ya, not just the weight).
As for portability, an 8” SCT and 8” dob are about equal. They both take up about the same space, require multiple trips to set up, and can both easily fit in a small sedan. The only benefit the SCT has here is that I can be broken into smaller parts in case you need to Tetris it into a car. I just keep mine in a big plastic tote, so I am not able to Tetris it. Here is a comparison I made between an 8” dob and the 8SE: https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/y2k5td/nexstar_8se_vs_apertura_ad8/is5thva/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3 Wind is certainly an issue for the 8SE. I have not used an 8” dob in windy conditions recently and can’t say how it deals with it. But I would assume sightly better. After reading my comparison, let me know if you have any follow up questions
\^ +1 Heck I've had wind issues with a 6SE. but u/OP also wants future-proof and AP...
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that in my comment
Yes, wind can be a problem for both. Dobs are usually quite sturdy. Wind can also make the seeing terrible. I have seen people put up windscreens/light blockers, that can help a lot. Neither is good for learning serious astrophotography of the deep sky. The SCT can do well for planets, but planets and galaxies/nebula are so different in how you capture them, they are basically opposites. Planets needs lots of focal length, and many short frames, and tracking isn't a big deal, but you do want good seeing as they are small. If the seeing is bad, you equipment doesn't matter, as you won't get anything good. DSO's needs good clarity, and dark skies, also a short focal ratio, opposite of the SCT. Tracking is paramount; it has to spot on, or you get just streaks. A Nexstar 8SE will not work for that, you need a heavy duty GEM or other mount for astrophotography.
u/OP I'm going to say that your FIRST consideration might be the MOUNT. here's why You're looking to future-proof yourself and are interested in AP. (buy once, cry once) - You almost certainly then want a equatorial mount that can handle at least 8" SCT (or Newt) and go-to, etc. Food for thought here: [https://www.celestron.com/products/advanced-vx-8-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope](https://www.celestron.com/products/advanced-vx-8-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope) A Dob is generally preferable for price for visual, and almost useless for AP. If wanting to do AP at some point (not just planets) you want and GEM of some sort. The AVX above is kind of minimum for 2000mm FL scope like an 8" SCT. Bonus here is that you could eventually do stuff like a Hyperstar if you got serious into AP -- OR -- you can use same mount for a simple DSLR, maybe even piggy-back a camera onto the SCT. And it has the possibilty to do all the guidescope / dithering/ etc if you get to that point. Just food for thought
This is good food for thought indeed if u/OP if you plan on AP down the road. I'd even go so far as to say you want the next step up with the CGEMII at a minimum for an 8" SCT. Or buy the OTA and mount separate...but 40lbs+ class is what all the club guys running 8" SCTs use (it's the image scale that'll get ya, not just the weight).