Im not trying to break the bank but I'd like a decent look at some planets. Im checking out this model.
8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=416
I looked around for a 16", but the highest aperture I found by celestron was 11"
This is a little over my budget (for a newbie) . but it looks like a decent telescope. No?