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For my six penn'th. I recently got the skywatcher SW880 10" f5. I was very impressed in the "gain" over my home brew 8" It has a short tube and fits perfectly in the boot of my car. Prices vary, but watch the delivery price !!. Some of the cheaper priced ones have inflated delivery costs. May be OK in the East but over here in the West we are sitting ducks to be ripped off. NVT in Perth have Australia wide delivery for only $18.00 But the actual cost of the scope is in keeping with the RRP.
The only dislike about the SW880 is the massive 4" R&P focuser (Racked in -- to make up the focal length) which is about as good for a door stop than anything else. I modded mine to a 2 speed Crayford. Check my web for details.
As far as I understand Andrews and Bintel are GSO from Taiwan. Meade is Meade made in China under licence. Saxon and Skywatcher from same soup kitchen in mainland China.
The SW880 has either a US or Canadian Pyrex primary, which accounts for more bux. Pyrex is not normally required in AU but in Northern hemispheres with extreme temperature changes. In average zones in AU it runs nicely without fan cooling. But provision is provided to fit a small 12v computer fan on the mirror mount. A Crayford focuser can add a few bux as well. Some of the cheaper are older stock and have R&P focusers. Most come with a 25 and 12 or 10mm Plossl.
Today's thought... Man is much wiser after he has fallen from a tree.
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