Hi Les,
I was in the same position as you, I really wanted DSC's (I never seem to get enough time under the stars to get good at star-hopping) but didn't want to spend a lot of money as I ultimately wanted to save up for an Argo Navis.
Another option to consider, if you're technically inclined, is a
David Ek project. It's a circuit board that converts the encoder outputs into something that planetarium software packages can use and display on a PC. Not as self contained as something like an Argo Navis, but certainly a cheaper option (provided you have a notebook that will run on the observing field... without AC power if you're at Barambah
).
I happen to have an Ek circuit board (constructed and theoretically working) lying around that I'll probably never get around to doing anything with. If you think this might be a valid option for you and can get some encoders, I'd be willing to donate the board to a good home to help out a fellow struggling astronomer
.
Let me know...
cheers -- randall