The oldie an 8" LX 3 drive on equatorial mount and field tripod. This is a well constructed scope and the sturdy mounting minimizes vibration, although the drive motor has periodic backlash it is a sufficient system for long period observation. The push button hand controller (primitive to today's standard) allows for fine (slow speed only) RA & DEC adjustments and sidereal to solar tracking which is again, sufficient for any observations. Star hopping requires manual RA & DEC knob movement of the scope as the DEC drive has a limited drive rod and must be re-centered after continued same path of travel. Setting circles provided allow for initial finding of known objects and the hand controller provides ease of centering in FOV.

The tube is also well made and for all the years I have transported and setup this scope I have only had to collimate it 4 times. The manual focus is adequate but a bit sloppy when trying to accomplish fine focus and although lacks a mirror lock it holds final focus well. Seeing through the 8" aperture is good and allows separation of some double stars, distant nebulas and galaxy viewing with its light gathering capabilities. High power eyepiece viewing is limited to distant objects in my area and for detailed planet observations it requires low power eyepieces which makes the object smaller but details like bands on Jupiter, ring division on Saturn, craters and features on the moon and sunspots are clearly visible.

All in all the 8" SCT is the perfect size of scope for the observer who has to setup and dismantle his scope every viewing session and the aperture size is sufficient for distant low Mag objects and detailed planetary observing. The Meade SCT's readily accept all accessories for all types of applications which makes them very versatile which my pocket book can confirm. I don't think I would buy a new one at today's cost in favor of losing fork mount for different mounting setup, but there are many of these with scopes for sale for under $500 with better drive systems than my dino out there. Example

Now for the other, a 12" LX 200 GPS on a field tripod. Another well constructed super sturdy scope with an excellent drive motor and hand controller unit. The GPS GOTO system has been flawless, data base of objects is enormous, enter your own RA/DEC coordinates (fast moving comets), 9 speeds of slewing, changeable slewing direction on keypad, 3 tracking speeds and computer compatible make it fun to use.

The 12" tube is a light bucket for me, wow the difference to the 8" is amazing and with mirror lock and 6 speed keypad micro focusing it is a dream fulfilled with literally no vibration during the procedure. Haven't ever needed to collimate it even after the delivery. Still limited to low power eyepieces but the size of objects is worth the trade off. Many details seen on Jupiter and Saturn I could not see on the 8" and nebula formations are far more clear. Claims of double-double star separation of 4 points light at 500x are out there but I am usually limited to 240-285 power.

The draw back is it weighs 130 pounds without the tripod and carrying it to the tripod and lifting it up and on is a chore. Not the friendly portable scope and I'm reluctant to take it out unless I'm sure it's not going to rain.
The reason I bought this new scope was because it was over $1000 off retail otherwise I would have waited and built a separate system with a 12" tube. Would I do it again? Oh yeah, (if the same price) I still get excited as if I was setting it up for first light.