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Pushto is actually a better option in my opinion, provided it comes with encoders and and interface to planetarium software (preferably via wifi). For one thing it is always much faster to target, at least mine is, compared to motor driven scopes. This means it is faster to align and more time to observe. Secondly, there is less to go wrong, have a look at the problems that Allan_l is having with his Skywatcher drive motor ( or is it the controller board, or the cable, etc - you get the idea). Drive motors also increase weight significantly, and anyone with a big dob will tell you anything that can reduce the weight they have to deal with is a great idea.
That seems like a reasonable price for a 18" dob - consider the pricing of the 12" RCs from GSO, and the expected price for the 16" RCs.
The real determinant of the pricing is going to be the price that GSO puts on their 20" dob which was confirmed by GSO (early this year) for introduction later this year. I would not be surprised to see GSO announce their 20" just after the SKywatcher becomes available and they will undercut the Skywatcher price. The GSO will likely follow on from the 16" GSO architecture and stick with the same bearing system (which is excellent), which will save money in development and production.
The GSO 16" dob tube sections are actually 19" inside diametre and could easily be upgraded to an 18" mirror with very little effort (albeit you would need to retain the focal length (which means abit faster) - just a new mirror and carrier and away you go. That's an option I am considering myself, say an 18" Zambuto mirror, on a custom carrier, in my GSO tube - what a 'sleeper' scope. Then again GSO could just grind an 18" mirror and give you slightly longer struts and you'd have a budget 18".
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