Yeah, I think that the Orion scopes are becoming much better value for money; I started a thread some time ago about the high price of the Orion XX12
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=47114, but over the last 6 months prices have come down as the AUD/USD exchange rate has become more favourable.
In fact the Orion XT12i with DSC
http://www.telescope.com/control/pro...oduct_id=27189 is now AU$1,639 at Sirius Optics. This is not a bad price considering that comprable/sister dobs such as the SW12 Flextube sell for AU$1,499 at Andrews and the Saxon 12" inch solid tube dob (Synta produced and comprable to the Orion without the extras) is AU$1450 at OZ scopes.
Regarding the XX14i vs the LB16. Its so hard to get a 14 when you know that for about AU$200 less you could have a 16. Inspite of the clear advantages of the XX14i that have been mentioned here and elswhere it still isn't an easy descision. Hopfully the price will come down a little more as the exchange rate comes back up.