I've recently picked up a G11 with Gemini after an EQ6. The difference in quality is huge. Polar alignment used to be a pain in the proverbial but I can set up my G11 from scratch in 20 minutes, aligned 5 mins later.
Build is strong and all machined.... very slick. You can add Gemini down the track with minimal fuss...
If $ allow, get the folding tripod. I was a bit dubious when I first saw it, but its as solid as rock....
Bottom line, buy quality if you can afford it, add quality to it. Good price here:
http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....escopes062.htm 3 month wait from order and they lay-by with 10% down. Good service.