There's the new baby brother to the Skywatcher Az-eq6, the Az eq5 which has either just hit the market, or just about. Very similar to the Meade. From memory I think it's quoted to hold 10kg on both sides of the head when used in Alt/az mode. See this thread
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=126237
Cheers :-)