These get quite a good rap over on 'Cloudy Nites' most believe that for the price they are very good value , I cant imagine a 6 inch f8 refractor on EQ5 mount for 12-1300 dollars even 10 years ago this would have been 2-3000 dollars , like most and at such a great price ! .
I have a Saxon 150mm f8 on HEQ5 in NZ and optically its excellent , better on deep sky than an 8 inch Newt or CAT , stars look perfect as only a 'Refractor' can them and mine goes just as deep .
But be aware ,,,,
total weight of nearly 32kg's these are no light weight's but they break down into 3 main parts , OTA , Mount/tripod and counter weights so they are easy to transport in a car .
Tube on the back seat with seat belt securing it, mount and tripod on the floor ( or boot ) and C/W's on the front floor , easy .
.
If you decide to get one get it from a dealer that gives a good return policy as these scopes all tho good vary a lot in quality , that's a sad fact at this price range , but if you get a good one the views will knock
your sox off and impress the hell out of your mates
, .
Moon and planets are awesome , but a little CA will be there but a 'Minus Violet' or 'Fringe Killer' or Baader yellow filter Adrian mentions soon fixes that right up .
These are mainly a purely visual scope all tho they can take good deep sky shots but the mount is marginal at best for AP .
My 5c is if you want a HUGE!!! refractor that will impress everyone this is it and the bargain of the decade ....
and they look so sexy as only a refractor can .
Brian.