Meade ETX-80

Paul,

Shipping for the ETX from Germany is around €40, but will depend on the weight of what you're shipping. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think VAT is already paid if you're buying within the EU.

Frank / Dave - transportation is an issue for me. With a 14 month old daughter, I'm lucky to be able to shoehorn myself into the car at times when we're going anywhere. It's not the major issue though. Because of work/family comittments, I'm limited to the amount of observing I can do. A goto scope appeals to me because I like the idea that when I can grab an hour or two, I could set the scope up, select an object and start observing rather than spend an hour trying to locate the object first( which I find I'm doing with the Skywatcher newt I've got now). I know this might not appeal to the purists out there, but whaddaya gonna do!

I want to buy something I can do some decent observing with though. As you said Dave, maybe I should shop around some more. Want to sell me that ETX 125 you've got Frank?

I could set the scope up, select an object and start observing rather than spend an hour trying to locate the object first( which I find I'm doing with the Skywatcher newt I've got now). I know this might not appeal to the purists out there, but whaddaya gonna do!

I see nothing wrong in goto scopes, but that's another argument altogether.

Want to sell me that ETX 125 you've got Frank?

Be careful what you wish for!

Any thoughts then on a Celestron 102mm refractor? €399 from Conns Cameras in Dublin.