Joe, It is true you have to be careful around dusty areas with a Newtonian reflecter. If you ever go to Texas Star Party, be prepared to clean your optics. Even though I kept the dust cover on when not observing, my mirror became dirty and my scope needed cleaning. I am allergic to dust so I try to avoid it so I don't get an asthma attack. I try to wash my mirror every other year or when the mirror needs it. My light shroud is always on when I observe so I think that protects the mirror as well. I drape towels over my scope when I store it in the house. A Crown Royal bag protects my secondary mirror. I gave the contents to a friend. I don't think you made a mistake buying a SCT. My first scope was a SCT and I regard it as a learning experience. I bought a truss tube dob for my second scope so my SCT has seen little use in the past 5 1/2 years because of the aperature gain. Best Wishes, Debbie