Hi Errol, am not a big expert in the solar area, but an ordinary 6" Dob with a solar filter may be good to watch the transit, then the Dob could be used for other astronomy observation. This may be more in your budget.
re the solar eclipse (i will be there too with half of the members in IIS) ... it is better to watch with your eyes to appreciate the fiull effect (perhaps with those funny glasses). i am not taking my dob up to Cairns at all. Will take pics with my camera on tripod.
