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Hi Sejanus & All,
I have no direct experience with the GSO but based purely on the 10 and 12" versions I've used, they seem to have good optics, pretty well made and pleasant to use -- particularly considering the very cheap price.
I've had access to two 16" Lightbridges. It is a very good 'scope for the money. Not perfect, but it is serious aperture on a solid functional mount. Of the two I've star and null-ronchi tested, one had okay optics and the other was very good at least -- the seeing wouldn't let me refine it further than that. I don't think GSO makes the optics -- it is another company on the mainland from memory. The focuser is an excellent unit. The mirror cell is not up to the same standard.
I own a Discovery _mirror_ in my 18" Obsession-clone dob which has Argonavis and a servocat. I've had it since 2003. Discovery charged _exactly_ what they quoted up front. Because it had to fit an existing 'scope, I asked them to match the fl (within reason). They matched it to within 5mm -- can hardly ask for more than that. The quality of the mirror is simply superb. They initially promised a 120 day lead time. After a month they emailed me and refined this to 100 days. The mirror was delivered on day 101 from order. Discovery were very easy to deal with. Bill and Terry really do know what they are talking about. All the Discovery optics are made in house I believe.
I've never seen or used a Discovery made 'scope. Based purely on what I hear on other forums they are very good but not in the same league as Obsession, Starmaster etc in terms of build quality (or indeed price!). Most seem to regard them as a good step up from the Meade in build quality and function. They do seem to attract at least some complaints about late delivery on _complete telescopes_.
Yep, the G.S.T when she arrives is the killer and remember you have to calculate it based not only on the value of the 'scope in AUD but also add the shipping in AUD as well. Hope this was of some help. Good luck whichever way you go. There is no substitute for _quality_ raw aperture.
Best,
Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T
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