Ron, I understand your reasoning and saw your other thread on this too, but I don't think it works that way...
The way I see it is that these 16" scopes are mass produced on the cheap and they are probably the biggest scope that can still be produced that way. They are basically cheap light buckets and will have the shortcomings of mass produced scopes, only more so than others because of the sheer size & weight. The 12" Lightbridge base and truss seems adequate but only so so. Now, I'd reckon that the 16" using the same construction materials and mount design will be barely there ito stability of mount, collimation etc. And plate glass mirror for 16" will usually guarantee inadequate optics (even if we assume good figuring of the parabolic surface) for high power planetary viewing - unless you are very patient and careful in setting up an effective cooling system (big glass like that is liable to dew up by the time it's properly cooled). It would probably be an okay scope for low power deep sky but that's all one can realistically expect.
In any case, if you want anything bigger it will need to be custom or semi-custom built, and done properly. Mirror will have to be ground by an expert mirror maker from expensive low thermal expansion glass. The rest of the scope will also need to be much better made than the cheap Dobs from Meade/GSO if you want usability, stability, and good performance on a wide variety of targets from low to high power.
I recommend you go to a few star parties and look at, thru, and get a feel for as many scopes as you can. Once you get a bit of hands and eyes on experience, you will really appreciate where the money goes with well built big dobs.
If I had the cash to splash, I'd much rather go for a somewhat smaller scope that is well built and joy to use than a larger one that is just so so and frustrating.
But if you just want large aperture on the cheap then one of the new 16" GSO/Meade offerings might be your best bet. I'd say go the LB from Bintel and make the most of their after-sales service till you got the scope set up the way you like it.
Just my opinion and just trying to be helpful.
