Hi Peter,
Thanks to Geoff for some realism, as for better views of the planets, the Skywatcher Promak 150 would probably win this race as it is a 6" scope with 1800mm FL .... but isnt as portable as an Pro ED80 and as Geoff said, takes longer to cool down.
Regarding the EQ mount Geoff and AlexN are absolutely right, I was forgetting the "portability" side of the equation and getting carried away by the optics/value side. AND all the chioces.
Having said that, and with the new Budget ceiling of $1000 in mind
, ( it IS Federal Budget night after all) as well as portability and suitability of optics for astrophotography, the best solution I think, apart from the Vixen one that Geoff has tested and from all accounts is very impressed with, is this;
Ioptron Cube Alt-Az Goto mount with #8403 controller (5000 objects and 256 user defined ones) $365 inc GST. This is only $65 more than the GSO ALT AZ and is fully computerised and trackable!
Skywatcher PRO ED80 OTA only for $599 from Andrews (Sirius' price is $1260 just for the OTA!) (only 2.47kg OTA weight)
Total: $964 inc GST
This gives you a great quality ED astrophotography scope on a GOTO mount which is definitely grab and go, not as fiddly as the newtonian (collimation!) and is also terrestrial capable. You could theoretically piggyback the ED onto the DOB when you are at home too.
If you ring Andrews and they are able to sell you the Ioptron Cube as well as they said "its coming soon" in their ad in the latest AS&T, you can get it all from the one place.
Sorry to keep widening the playing field.
PS. Sirius sell a Ioptron Mak90 on the Cube #8504 for $660!
The top of the line Mak100 is $1089 with the 80,000 object database and GPS built in.
SmartStar ™-A Series
Mount with #8402 Controller with 80,000 objects internal 32 Ch.
GPS and Tripod.
Price: $915.00
Code: #8604
Size: 90mm
Price: $1089.00
Code: #8605
Size: 100mm
Yet again, sorry for the new choices, one day I will learn to shut up. I just wish I had a grand to burn myself, I would get a $599 12" Skywatcher DOB faster than you can say "aperture fever"
Cheers
Chris