My daughter called me last Tuesday and says "I want to get Zac a telescope for Christmas." Zac being the boyfriend. "What do you know about Saxon and Skywatcher telescopes?"
I immediately went into 'research mode' and checked out what was on offer. I figured a medium sized Dob would be a good starter scope, and zoned in on the Saxon 6" as being the best bang-for-buck for the dollars she wanted to spend (~$400). My friend Google pointed me at me at Ozscopes and Optics Central. Option Central had the best price at the time, and she bought it. It arrived yesterday (delivered to my house) and we assembled it last night.
When I say "we", I meant "me". She did hold things while I screwed the base together.
There's no way she could have put it together herself.
Anyhoo, after assembly, I collimated the beastie and we snuck outside for a quick 'first light'. Cloudy night, of course, but we had a peek at the Great Nebula and the Moon using the supplied 25mm eyepiece. Not too foul!
I reckon this is not a bad little scope. Seems well built. Focuser is nice and smooth. Very good optics for the $. I think he'll be happy.