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I've had my SDM (The Mary Rose) now for 2.5 years and I am as pleased as I was the day it first arrived. It has opened up a new universe for me on what I can observe, and the build quality is so good, I wish it could fit in my loungeroom! I cannot imagine ever wanting anything more.
Before I ordered, I made comparisons with ordering overseas, such as from Obsession. Remember if you order from overseas you will be stung by shipping costs (for a 20" scope it was going to cost $1,400 in shipping plus insurance) and also you will pay GST as it will be over $1000 (so add another 10%).
In addition to the above considerations, what tipped the balance for me was the fact that if I bought locally from SDM, I could always get Peter Read to follow up on any warranty issues, but to get Obsession to look at/repair the scope, add another $1,400 shipping back to the States (and then if they deny a problem - the shipping costs back)!! As it turns out, Peter has kindly done some tweeking in the past couple of years (for example the wheel barrow handles are now the split version (very cool), and I have my argo Navis on a stalk (when Peter first delivered the scope, the Argo was mounted on the secondary cage assembly).
I should note that Peter Read will also do work on Obsessions and any other large dobsonians, so you can still get Peter's help even if you do go with an Obsession or some other non-Australian brand.
Good luck, whatever you decide!
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