[Striker (Tony)]

Thanks Aragorn..you have given me something to think about....

I have organised to visit and speak to a Customer that has the same package as I am looking at........

I think the biggest factor to my choice is that I can get all the help I need from someone local.......

But I am looking at cost, ease of set-up and portability into the equasion aswell......

A.S.S.T at Norman Park Brisbane only deal with Celestron and would feal more comfortable and looked after purchasing from him....

The price he has given me have virtualy been cost plus a small percentage but he is happy to make just a few hundred dollars on the complete package....he has shown me the Celestron book with the cost and retail prices.

Prices Quoted

9 1/4 SGT with XLT Coatings = $ 3950
Add on GPS $ 450
Celestron 17 amp battery pack $ 180
AC adaptor $ 30
NexImage Retail $295 awaiting price...said to get it at cost price.

the best price I have had for the Meade LX200 10" is $5200 plus a wedge and without any support........

For me I am not sure the extra $1200 for the Meade LX series is justified....

Is the fork Mount really that good and popular......I have been reading up on many magazines and have rarely seen fork mounted scopes displayed in group photo's...they all seem to use EQ mounts whatever the scope is......Dont get me wrong I love the Meade range but Brian from the A.S.S.T shop would like to see me with a EQ mount then Fork mount....as a seller you would think he would try to get me into the more expensive Nexstar GPS fork mount range that I previously asking for if that was the case........Oh well I have a lot to learn yet and I'm sure I will be happy with either the Meade LX 200 10" or the Advanced Celestron range in the 9 1/4 SGT.


Once I get to see Paul's (1ponders) set up on Tuesday and the Celestron range in action I will make my decission probably by the end of the week.

Thanks for your comments everyone.