[nightsky]

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions,the problem with my DOB is not just the weight it's also the ladder climbing,as you would all know the best time to view. is when the object in high in the sky which means a climb up the ladder, and of course it's bulky,I have to use my trailer every time I want to go to a dark site,don't get me wrong, I can set it up under 15 mins,and I have a small computer attached for finding deep sky objects (10yes old now) I am just getting to old for all the hassle. I have been searching lots and lots of web sites here the US and Germany and because of the weight and size of the 5" and 6" mirrors the tripods are to expensive or and heavy,so I am down to a 4" or 5" maybe even a 3". I've been looking at the Meade ETX 12 Sat http://www.staroptics.com.au/index.p...elescopes&p=26 and other Meade sizes.Thank you all again for your input and will keep you informed when I decide.you have been a great help.