Meade lx65 8" (ACF) vs Celestron 8se

[HappySkeptic]

I'm currently thinking about buying the Celestron EdgeHD 800 AVX as for maximum future compatibility with any direction I might want to take. Showing the kids some nice stuff, and how to operate a scope, plus future astrophotography use. I'm torn though whether to save a few bucks and go with sth even more portable.

I think that's a great choice -- the EdgeHD and the AVX.  Fairly portable, and has a good aperture.

There are 3 types of scope styles:

1) The refractor.  This can be a big one on a heavy mount, or a small grab-and-go setup.  Easy to use, and great contrast images.  Planets are pleasing.  Good for photography if on a sturdy mount.
2) The catadioptric or cassegrain.  The Celetron/Meade.  You can go small, medium or large with these, but the 8" is a really versatile size, and fairly cheap.  More aperture means deeper views.  Good all-round but not a master in anything.
3) The dobsonian. 6 to 12" for a starter scope, but 20"+ when you get aperture fever.  These are for deep-sky.  If you love globular clusters and galaxies, these are the way to go in as big as you can handle (though long focal-ratio 8" or 10" can work well for planets). Not for photography (except in rare setups)

Grab-and-go is a particular style of viewing.  It is the "hey, it's clear tonight.  Let's see if I can put my telescope outside in at most 2 trips (1 if it is light and already setup) and get it cooled down quickly for use".  This would be a 6" Maksutov or Meade Schmidt-Cat, or a 3 or 3.5" refractor on a light mount.  Many people who have been in the hobby a long time have one grab-and-go scope, but it likely isn't their main scope.

If you don't need grab-and-go, and are willing to lug a few pieces around and do 10 minutes of setup, then go with something like an 8", and a mount that is light enough you won't curse moving it, but heavy enough that it gives a good steady view.  I'm not sure you will like something lighter than an AVX mount with an EdgeHD 8"