Hi,
This threat seems very interesting, so I decided to join here.
I have 12" model with carbon tube. I decided to send it to Gemini telescopes in Italy. There it will get Integra85 rotator/focuser attached directly on the scope. Also a secondary and primary dew heaters get installed at the same time. Also they check that does it need any other enhancements.
I have noticed that my scope had a bit triangular star shapes sometimes like in this picture M51 in 2014
http://frostlandobservatory.galleria....jpg/_full.jpg
I haven't touched the collimation in a year and I think this one of the best images with my scope, considering star shapes
http://frostlandobservatory.galleria....jpg/_full.jpg
Here are rest of the images taken with the scope
http://frostlandobservatory.galleria.../2014+Deepsky/
Im going to keep this scope a long time. In future I hope I buy a camera with bigger sensor, perhaps a AO -unit.
Now it would be nice to have some advices what things I should ask them to fix? Of course they are professionals and see whats going on, but still some conversation is welcome. The scope already left with the courier and is going to be on its way a month or two, so there is time to plan things out.