Small refractors, what's all the excitement about

After having experience significant medical issues this year, I found that the best solution that would allow me to continue observing would be to move down in aperture to smaller, more controllable refractors with 2 feet on the ground. I was shocked when I started looking around to see all the small refractors on the market and, perhaps equally shocked at all the interest I come across amongst amateurs on cloudy nights. Why are so many of you interested in small refractors? And in case anyone Is interested I am not talking about small inexpensive refractors. I'm talking about the big name guys, Astro-physics, TEC, Baader, Takahashi, And on and on. Why so much interest in these small, high-quality and very expensive refractors? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Phillips.

One of the reasons is they usually have a wider field of view, which is desired to image large nebulae and star fields in the Milky Way, or distant clusters of galaxies. (although one could always stich smaller images together). Also, the smaller expensive ones are less costly than the larger ones, weigh less, are easier to haul around, but most importantly, must have 1) the best optics to provide accurate data when trying to image the universe, whereas anything less might introduce optical issues that make it difficult to process native data and, 2) have a well-built OTA and focuser that can provide many options for the imaging train without warping or bending. 

When the optics and seeing are great, it is possible to push the limits... 

High-quality support is usually associated with the best refractors, including active user groups.

Then there's the mount, etc..... 

Also, in outreach, when observing visually, it's best to not introduce the public to false color or a twisted, or fuzzy view, so quality can count there too but it doesn't have to be the best imaging optic. A sturdy mount helps when it's windy or if kids bump into it. Also, so the image doesn't wiggle around if they bump their brow on the eyepiece.