Thanks Nick, it seems its a club worth joining, i am very surprised by tonights results, seeing was good yes, but i was shooting over a house roof way before due south and the moon isnt exactly full height at the mo as you know. IF i could get a 12" meade i think things could start to happen. But as we discussed there is a little consintency difference, for variouse reasons.

So would want to test it i think. Sure would like a 12 " SCT with optics like this Meade. I would rate this better than my meade Mak i had, which was slightly worse than the first one i had. ( ive had two)
Ed roach had a nice 8" meade. Im thinking this might be on par. going to do some more star testing of the Orion when i can, to make sure things are as they should be. if not ill be calling them. Even when my 12" is up to scratch, i cant help feeling theres too many benefits the SCT way. will have to see. But this scope for 8" is dangerouse. Short tube and ease of collimation really do matter im starting to feel. Difficult with longish newts. They can be great, i loved my 10" Orion, but so far. im not there yet with the 12"
think thats obviouse.