Hardin Optical Deep Space Hunter 12 Telescope

OK, my wife and I are very amateur Astronomers. We decided to move up from our 4-inch telescope to something a little bigger that we wouldn't outgrow within a year.
After reading the few limiting reviews on the Hardin 12" Deep Space Hunter we decided to jump in.
Now we live part time in Cebu Philippines and part time in Texas.
So while in Cebu we order the 12" DOB from Guan Sheng Optical Co. Who makes the 12" Hardin DSH. http://www.gs-telescope.com/
The same scope, just a different decal and name on the scope.
Anyway, it shows up in two boxes. The assembled ATO with 2 eyepieces, various parts and so forth in one huge box and the rocker box (disassembled) in the other small box.
Putting it all together is basic, simple and straightforward. Taking me only 45 minutes of relaxing work. Not like some toys at Christmas you have to put together that take you days even if you're major was rocket science!
The alan wrench to put the rocker box together is also included.
Our scope differed a bit from the reviews only because, our scope included the fan (no wires to plug it in), a handle on the front of the rocker box, but only two eyepieces. A 9MM Plossi and a 32MM wide angle FOV, all standard items.
The primary mirror and 2" focuser as well as the bracket for the 8X50 finder scope are already installed.
After spending my 45 minutes putting it together I couldn't wait for nighttime.
The rocker box bearing are a little small. The Teflon pads I had to sand a little to make them LESS slippery.
The rocker box bolt and locknut are the real secret, I learned from experience, the torque in which you tighten the rocker box locknut can make or break your viewing Pleasure. Try to make it just as tight, so that your AZ and ALT movements take the same amount of force.
Make sure when putting the rocker box together get all screws as tight as possible without striping the allen head bolts.
All this together, and when you refocus or move the scope to follow stars wont result in a 4 to 6 second delay for your scope to calm down as I have read.
Be fore warned, it is best to buy a laser collimator prior to viewing.
Night time came and OH MY GOD! I couldn't tell what to lQQk at next, so many items and so little of time.
The main dust cover already has 2 holes (about 4") and dust covers on them to provide for perfect focusing, something I don't do since im not taking pictures.
I will however take one dust cap off and use it as an off-axis mask. Instead of a 12-inch f-5 with a 60-inch focal length, I end up with a 4-inch f-15 which increases resolution by over 200%. Although this is a deep space scope, this gives a most eye opening experience for lunar and planetary views.
All in all, if your lQQking for a DECENT DSO DOB with a large aperture at a low price, this is the scope for you.
It does have some quirks, but nothing that can't be worked out easily.

Specs.
GS-980
12" F/5 Dobsonian
Specification:
12" parabolic primary mirror over 1/12wave
Focal length: 1500mm, F/5
2" AL Teflon-lined R & P focuser or option 2" Crayford style focuser w/1.25" adapter
Smooth Dobsonian mount
Metal tube assembly
Standard accessories:
8x 50mm Finder scope
Premium Plossi 9mm (1.25")
SP32mm Kellner eyepiece (2")
Moon filter include
Wood Base, option roller bearing system

Now for the bad part;
When emailing the factory and trying to order and buy one of these items it was a 2 month ordeal. Although they spoke good English they seemed to have no interest at all in selling a scope. It almost seamed like selling scopes was a sideline for them and I was bothering their daily schedule.
What made matters even worse was, I asked via email to speak with the owner of the company because I was so frustrated. My reply shocked me as the person claimed; the person I had been talking to all these months WAS the owner. This was so unlike any Asian business I had ever delta with.
But finally I got the scope and I could not be happier with my purchase.
Here is a good review on this item also; http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/hardin.pdf