Guy, At the prices you paid for the optics, and rough estimates on my behalf for the CNC work and outsourced labour, the pair of these would come in at around 2/3rds of the cost of 1 12.5" RCOS or there abouts?
Bargain in my eyes...
I took a look at the Italian one as well.. End product, I think yours look much more professional (read : make people stop and say "WOAH!! Thats a SERIOUS scope..") however I think his setup looks a lot more simple to make...
Not to mention, I dare say its much easier to ensure everything is aligned right in a solid tube than a truss setup..
If I had my choice of one to own, it would be one of yours, If I had to choose one to build myself.. It would be the italian one..
I'd be very keen to try to build myself a 10" RC scope, however I think I'd wait to see the prices of the GSO 10" RC unit when its released first... As that might be a more cost effective way to go, and if anything isn't right at first light, you can always send a bought one back..