I'm quite certain there are a whole lot of guys out there buying that scope. They're not concerned about quality, they're concerned about having a really big scope with gobs magnification, and for the least amount of money. That one fills that particular hubble niche. The hubble's are in. grin

I'd not judge Vortex as a whole because of that particular model.

'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.