Yes you are right there , they are all made in the same factory with differant paint jobs and extras .
The new models have the 10 to 1 focusers now .
I have heard that Orion and Saxon test each scope before it goes on sale , thats gotta be a little bit of piece of mind .
These are a modern day clasic of a scope , I have the Saxon Ed80 and it has awsome optics , I have updated the focuser with a GSO duel speed .
I am more than happy with it .
Brian.