Well guys I have just been to the BG site. Your price comments have me puzzled. BLT without racks is $1500, 520 with a rear rack is $1000. In CDN thats $1500 v $2300. Even with the crankset swap I am still at least $700 to the good.
And when you compare the specs in the chart at the BG site, the 520 is very close for less. And Rich is right, I will not do that much fully loaded touring. For those who do, the BLT probably is the way to go.
Thanks for your help.