Nice one Tony; I've already eyeballed the Meades, I thought the LX90 at first but then maybe the Lx200 (8"), where does it end. I read somewhere that the LX90 optics are as good as the same size Lx200, but the LX200 mechanics and tracking are heavier duty and more accurate. I think I could get the LX90 past the minister but I'm not sure about the equivalent size LX200. Maybe I could just tell her it cost $200. I bought the 20D with astronomy in mind, a week later Canon announced the EOS20DA optomised for astronomy. Fortunately my partner also has a fascination for the night skies.