I would have to disagree with EdZ about smaller being better for public outreach. My experience has been just the opposite.
The best scope I have for outreach is my 22" GOTO Starmaster. Everyone is impressed with the size and they all *have* to look through it...even those parents who are just there to "humor" their kids. Since it's f/4 even small kids don't have to climb more than 4 steps on my very sturdy 6-ft ladder, and it gives them something to hold onto other than the scope. Even if they do bump the scope, it doesn't move because the drive motors are engaged, so there is no problem with that. I have taught people, even 12-year-olds, how to slew around using the hand controller -- kids actually find it very natural!
After all of that, the views always blow them away. M13/3/5/2, M51, NGC4565, M17, M57, etc...they all look very obvious even to untrained eyes and they easily see central stars, spiral arms, and the like. I never have to worry about people saying "gee, that's nice" but thinking "what the heck is he talking about, I don't see squat." I *know* they see the object and features in question, and they are always impressed with the view and what you can see "out there."
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