[PeterM]

As this is now turning into a "Meade" product discussion I will let you know my experience.
My 12inch LX200
Optics - ACF superb as advertised
GoTo - superb as advertised
Mount - Solid as advertised
Linking to and controlling by PC - SKYX Pro, CCD Soft, Orchestate all work perfectly well with LX200.
Usage - minimum 120 nights per year @ about 5 hours per night = 600 hours usage per year and some 6-10,000 gotos and tracking (ok - short up to one minute exposure in al az mode) no issues.
In use since June 2007.
No issues that cause me any concern.
And the 12inch package for under $6500, geez I really don't know where this thread is going. The LX200 product does what it is advertised to do and better, bang for your buck is huge. If you have an issue then you have the best trained people in Oz through Mike and Don at Bintel to assist.

PeterM.