I'm not familiar with a "flip mirror". All the scopes I've owner have used prisms.
Whether one can hold it depends on experience - and strength of muscles!! There are many aircraft spotters to be seen using old fashioned brass draw telescopes which they hand-hold with great effect. I can't do it, but i can use my heavy 15x60 binoculars which some people can't.
If you are going to buy a good telescope expect to pay many hundreds of pounds or you may get junk. Optolyth and Swarovski are pretty good, but pricey.