I have really enjoyed this thread on go-to scopes. Lots of good commentary from people who really know and care about the hobby (and none of the punches have been below the belt). Right up front let me say, I feel just the way John does about buying a good all around scope; a go-to "piece of schmidt" is exactly the all around compromise I'd make, I even prefer the Meade. That said, I have not bought the scope yet, for some good reasons, even though, as Brent and Rich both have said, the best telescope is THE ONE YOU ACTUALLY USE. It sure is nice to have one (or several) to use and I intend to have one soon. But, Like a friend said, "The best boat in the world ... is the one your fishing buddy just paid for." It sure is nice to have the clubs own the scopes they do. The best astronomy money I ever spend is to join a club and meet the people who have 8" Clark's or 36" Dobs on trailers! The best astro time I spend, next to observing, is learning from these guys and gals. I find it funny that people have anywhere at home to put a scope the length of a pick-up truck bed, or as big around as a trash can. It amazes me people have one scope for planets and another for deep sky, and maybe one for the kids, and several pair of binos. I can't imagine having two or three regular nights off a week to grind a mirror. I barely have time to run out into my backyard with my 15x80 binos and look up for a half hour every other week. I can't imagine tapping the side of a dobsonian for 10 minutes to find a fuzz ball the size of a pin prick just to prove I can do it. But I have friends who do all of this, and I think they're great because they can and do. I'd still like to have that Meade LX200gps in the backyard all to my self.