[Wavytone]

Jason,

To do justice to a 12" scope (ie make it actually useable) you're really going to need at least an iOptron45 (will take 45kg scope) or preferably the SkyWatcher NEQ8 when it comes out (one site is taking pre-orders for this), the EQ6 variants are way too puny. The NEQ8 specs look superb IMHO if you have a big scope and are serious about astrophotography; the big question will be the $.

Regarding the 10" LX200 ACF, for a long time I have thought the same - it's compact, it's all there, it all works, and about the biggest/heaviest you can safely lift single- handed (I'm not young either) instead of messing around with DIY stuff.

So, without a 10" LX200 ACF the meantime I stay strictly visual. My weapon of choice would be a 14" f/7 dob with Argo, push-to. If I had more time for astronomy and the weather was better, I would have shelled out for one long ago. OTOH the shi*ty weather in Sydney for the past couple of years has left me with no regrets about spending the $ on a new paraglider instead (I can get airborne most weeks).