Meade Announcement

It's utterly short-sighted too, since the Indian, Mexican and especially Chinese economies will eventually become consumers too and prices will head back up to the point that it would be sensible to manufacture goods closer to the point of consumption again, only we will have forgotten how to do it! Not to mention the effect of all this on the price of oil....

All this knocking of cheap scopes. Tut Tut!
Some of us have to live in the real world and priorities on finances mean kids to go to college, cars have to bought (especially when 'er indoors totals 'em - 2 and counting), so the money left to spend on "hobbies" - I hate it when she calls it a hobby- is limited to say the least. I'm still driving a cheap (£299) scope, and I would never have gotten into visual and photo astronomy if I had to pay big bucks for an AP or a Tak etc etc. There will always be a place for high quality equipment, manufactured with passion and pride and used by like minded individuals, but in the meantime reality rears its ugly head and companies and customers are at the mercy of market forces (the more a customer gains the less profit a company makes - someones gotta lose).
So don't knock the made in China badge, most of us wouldn't be on these boards if it wasn't for it. Don't get me wrong, I agree with most of what you are all saying, but you've got to remember the bigger picture. How many amateur astronomers would there be if there was only AP, Tak and Televue etc to purchase from. Make astronomy elistist and you'll see the death of astronomy.

Some very good points John. My first intrument was a pair of Panorama binocular which I used for years (and I still have). I bought my first real telescope 12 years ago - a Meade 2080B.
Its just a shame to see a company that makes pretty decent telescope at decent prices potentially going downhill. I just hope Celestron don't move out also. Then we would have a large gap between decent affordable scopes and the high end Taks, Tele Vues etc which are in the hands of a smaller proportion of amateurs.
Still, its a bit like comparing cars, a Toyota corolla is a lot cheaper than a BMW 316 but it will still get you to your destination just as well (and is probably more reliable, lower running cost, easier to repair and don't get me started on rip-off main dealer BMW servicing :x :x :x :x :x :x )

Nothing wrong with a Toyota, I have one, I just don't to be getting a Lada with a Toyota badge.