Mike, thanks for the positive comment re image
.
I think you're being a tad harsh in describing the Tak combination as "poor". I'm happy with the performance I'm getting from the portable Tak EM-200 Temma2/TOA130 combination in comparison with the stolen Alter D6 and FS128. IMHO it is easier to set up, tracking is superior and image quality is perfectly fine.
Portability is a prime consideration for me. Although I have the STL11000M there are lots of reasons why I don't want to be up there with the "big boys" in astrophotography. Living in badly light polluted central Melbourne I don't have a permanent set-up. My "observatory" is a field of dirt (soon to be grass, thanks Phil Hart) at the ASV's excellently appointed Leon Mow Dark Sky Site out of Heathcote, 100km north of Melbourne. So it all has to fit in the back of my car. I might get 2-3 nights a month of dark skies (weather permitting) with seeing and transparency as found.
Sure, the EM-200 is lighter than the very heavy Alter D6, but I'm now friends again with my back
!
Very best regards, Mike.
Russ