...about the secondary mirror obstructing light. As a percentage, I think this affect goes down with an increase in aperture since the diagonal mirror size remains the same (?)

By RFT I was referring to Rich Field Telescope. I think anything less than a focal ratio of f/6 is considered a RFT. They provide wide- angle views and supposedly brighter deep sky images.

Magnification is inherently lower because of the shorter focal length. (fl. of telescope/ fl. of eyepiece)

In addition to lower magnification I read somewhere image quality goes down as you try to push the magnification of an RFT when observing the moon and planets.

Did you see the 10-inch model? It looks too large for the mount. It also requires (you to carry) an extra counterweight.

I think I’ll look for a star- party to see what the differences are like.

That German scope was a Work of Art.

Rob