Hello, I too was posed with this very question. I will soon be retired and was looking for a scope that I could manage by myself. I chose the Celestron C11s-GT. I picked this scope due to it's ability to be taken apart in lighter peices. The heaviest part being the OT at 29lbs. This enables me to take the scope anywhere I chose. The Mead 8" OT and mount is around 66lbs. Also the Celestron 11 GPS has a similar weight. That is to much for me to handle by myself. I plan to purchase the GPS for this scope at a later time. I have found that I was right in my purchase. The C11s-GT is easy to set up and not that hard to align. Having instant alignment is not a issue with me.
Hopefully this has helped.