I'd go option 1 initially - that is essentially what I am thinking as the next step for my Celestron 8" SCT -- whack it on a AZ-EQ6 and add some sort of guiding (OAG or guidescope). Then at a LATER date I'll upgrade my imager and get a beautiful new APO. Stepwise investment is the key, to both allow you to increment your skills, and to make it easier to 'sell' the purchases to the wife
Following on from this, do most people prefer an OAG, e.g:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
Or a guidescope package, e.g.:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
??