If you're looking for a really good f/12-15 scope then a quality Mak might be more in your line, particularly if you want something made in the UK.
Personally I prefer refractors, but
Orion Optics UK
manufacture the well known OMC range of Maks in house in Crewe. If I wanted an APO quality scope with the resolution of a 4" refractor or greater and and a focal length longer than a metre that's what I would look at because bigger refractors are beast to handle - they have disadvantages of weight, length and the effects of windage combined with the 'law of the lever'. For instance, the dew shield on a 6" f/14 scope would extend over 1.3 metres or more beyond the scopes centre of gravity whereas the edge of the dew shield on an equivalent Mak would be less than have that distance. That means a significant reduction in the potential vibrations induced by a stiff breeze.
The OMC 140 (f/14) Mak is reported to be exceptional. The OTA is listed at £659 and with the exchange rate at £0.95+ to €1.00 now would be a good time to buy.
To the best of my knowledge Orion Optics is the only significant manufacturer of instruments for the amateur market in the UK but the plain fact is that it's too expensive to manufacture mass market optics anywhere in Western Europe and the only reason they are still making any models themselves rather than outsoourcing to China is that people are willing to pay a premium because of their reputation for quality.
  