ATM Decisions, decisions

[AstroWiz01@aol.com]

Hello,
   I read every single message posted and I'd like to say that although I
haven't contributed much, I've learned a lot.  Well, except for one thing.
 How to control the slobber.  See, I got my first astronomy magazine in the
other day and on the immediate cover was a line-up of Meade telescopes.
 Drool city, here I come.  They're monsters compared to mine, with all the
hi-tech gadgets and stuff.  Well, anyway, I have a 6" Newtonian and it's done
me well.  I've had it for about a month now, but before I got it, I spent
many nights all of this year under the stars so I'm very familiar with
getting my way around and whatever.  I know, I'm rambling.  Anyway, I'm
thinking about selling my scope so that I can take the money and build a
larger one.  I want to make accurate and "official" observing reports.  Right
now, Jupiter shows up as the size of a nickel, but the only thing I can
really make out in detail are lunar transits.  Even then, it's not that
spectacular.  
     Ok, to the point (this time I'm serious).  What prices am I looking at
if I want to make a 12" or 16" scope?  I understand the mirror is the most
serious part (I don't want a refractor).  I'll purchase that already grinded
and iodized or crystalized or whatever the term is (fact:  insomnia causes
temporary memory loss).  I'm looking on making something that can be easily
transportable, do some photography.  Just basically, enjoy myself.  I enjoy
the current scope, but during a recent cleaning, I realized a few scratches
on the mirror.  Maybe this is the reason for my poor observances, I don't
know.  Anyway, thanks for any help you can give.

cul8r
tim