Thanks for the info guys, sounds like I've reopened old wounds with the dobs/goto debate. I dug out an old Bushnell spotting scope
from the cupboard, 60mm refractor with 25x magnification and a really nice prismatic focussing. I have McGuivered up a mount for the Bushnell on my camera tripod. I can see saturn nicely as a ball with a ring around the outside. Attached is a moon photo taken with the EOS, it's a bit shaky as I just held the EOS close to the eyepiece and fired the shutter. I suspect I will get some really nice images with a couple of hours spent making a camera adapter. I'm hoping H.R.H. Liz will see my dilemma and approve some serious funding for something decent. I am curious to know if you can get spare parts for the meade or if it's a trip back to the US for service.